What is EMDR Basic / Standard Training?
EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that was developed to resolve symptoms resulting from disturbing and unresolved life experiences. It uses a structured approach to address past, present, and future aspects of disturbing memories. It is an integrative therapy, synthesizing elements of many traditional psychological orientations, such as psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, experiential, physiological, and interpersonal therapies.
EMDR Basic /Standard Training is a two part comprehensive training that enables the trainee to be able to use the therapy approach to address past, present, and future aspects of disturbing memories.
Overview of Basic/Standard EMDR training.
EMDR Basic/Standard Training has 2 parts of training (20 hours lectures, 20 hours practice and 10 hours supervision/consultation) which includes lectures, video demonstrations and supervised practice in small groups. Five hours of case consultation with an approved EMDR consultant after each part of the Basic/Standard Training is a requirement for receiving the certificate of completion and accreditation.
What are the eligibility criteria to attend the Basic/Standard EMDR Training?
- Part 1: The candidates who are enrolling should be post graduates of regular courses from mental health or social science faculties including psychology, psychiatry, human development and psychiatric social work from a UGC recognized University. Individuals completing their PG courses from private institutes or a university that is not recognized by UGC and without practical experience should not apply. Selection will be at the discretion of the panel of expert based on academic performance at post graduate level.
- Part 2: The candidates should complete Part 1 and 5 hours of consultation from an EMDR Asia recognized and assigned consultant.
Even if I am eligible, under what circumstances should I avoid taking up the training?
EMDR Therapy Training involves practice for the understanding of EMDR Therapy procedures, the participants work on their own issues/ symptoms/memories, which is not a role play. At times it can lead to a mild to moderate level of disturbance. EMDR Association draws your attention to the following: “if you have been/are currently under medical and/or psychological care, kindly consult your treating caregiver about your readiness of undergoing the EMDR Therapy Training”.
Also those with limiting or special medical conditions (pregnancy, neurological and heart condition, ophthalmic difficulties, etc.) should consult their medical professionals before participating in this training and should discuss the condition with the instructors/trainers in advance of the training.
Can candidates residing outside India apply?
Candidates applying outside from India, residing in Asian countries which have EMDR Associations, need to take prior written permission from the local EMDR Associations for applying this training.
What to expect in the training?
It is a 3 day training (now spread to 4 full days in order to reduce the screen time for the virtual training and to enhance the training experience). The lectures, demonstration, and videos are in the morning covering core contents of theory and practice of EMDR psychotherapy. The afternoon is for the small group discussions and practicums to facilitate the learning process and to get hands-on experience to understand the approach in detail.
What would be expected of me as a trainee?
- All the participants are requested to use the laptop/desktop and to keep the video on so that the presenter has a view of the participants to enhance the interaction.
- There is a possibility to increase the duration beyond the stipulated time by 30 minutes due to increased participation, thus, kindly keep your other important engagements after 6 pm during the training.
- Attendance on all days is compulsory in theory lectures as well as practicums.
What is covered in the Part 1 Training?
The trainee is taught about the Adaptive Information Model (AIP) incorporating the 8 phases of the Standard EMDR Protocol and indications where it can be used. For the Part 1 trainees, the focus is to apply the EMDR Psychotherapy preferably with single trauma/mild to moderate disturbing experiences mimicking PTSD.
Introduction of AIP model.
Adaptive information processing (AIP) model, hypothesises that trauma is stored and stuck in the brain’s neural network. The memory is *Frozen*. Alternating Bilateral Stimulation brings about Reprocessing of the trauma and a reduction of associated anxiety/symptom, thereby creating new associations with memories and increasing adaptive behaviors.
What is covered in the Part 2 Training and when will I be eligible for it?
- Topics covered : Part 2 will cover the application of EMDR Therapy with more advanced methods for standard protocols to deal with clients with deep rooted disturbing traumatic experiences, attachment issues and anxiety related psychological disorders, called complex trauma. Complex trauma cases may additionally have dissociative symptoms/disorders, DSH, Impulse control issues, addictions and even personality disorders.
- Eligibility criteria for Part 2 Training: The candidates should have completed Part 1 EMDR Therapy training and 5 hours of consultation.
Will I get hands-on experience/ Practicums to understand the approach better?
Yes, the training also offers practicum to help understand the theory in practical aspects. The practice portion of the training is an important experiential aspect of learning that is half of the training. In the practicum, the trainee will be working on their mildly disturbing *real* memory/experience for first-hand experience. The trainees will be working in pairs/triads and get a chance to be a therapist, a client and an observer. The trainers are there to support, all the time and hand hold during the practicum to facilitate the learning process. During the practicum the focus is on learning by practising on self-experience, which is not a role play. Keeping in mind the pedagogical framework, the memory selected for EMDR processing should be of milder intensity, e.g., on a hypothetical scale of measuring disturbance from 0-10, it should not be measuring more than 5.
During the practice the trainee will be required to work on a personal issue that is of moderate disturbance and that can be resolved during the duration of four days training. It is recommended that with respect to the issue selected for experiencing EMDR Therapy as a Client, one should not select the memories related with the conflicts arising through the sources from the family. However, there is a possibility that the issue that one will be working on during the practice may not get resolved during the training period of four days. The trainee is aware of this possibility and will ensure that they continue to work on the issue under the supervision of a professional therapist post the training period.
Will virtual trainings be recorded and will I get access to training recordings?
The lecture portions of virtual trainings are recorded and may be used for the purposes of teaching about EMDR. The EMDR Association, India may use this recording for any teaching purposes. The training recordings will not be accessible for the trainees. The course material (Manual, Videos, and PowerPoint slides) has copyrights by EMDR Institute and Trauma Recovery-HAP and thus, no part of the virtual training is reproduced anytime.
Will I get a soft copy of the training material/manual?
Due to copyrights issues the soft copy of the manual cannot be shared. The training material/manual will be delivered to you before the training.
What are consultations?
Case presentation and discussion on Skype/zoom/google meet etc is called as _Consultation_. Five consultation hours are required after attending Part 1 to qualify for Part 2 training and 5 hours of consultation is provided after Part 2 training to fulfill the requirements of completion of training. Consultations happen in a small group of about 6-8 participants. The cases need to be emailed to the Consultant, at least 2 days in advance. Usually, these 5 hours are divided into 5 online contacts after each training where every participant must present a case, which is reviewed by their consultant and feedback is given and also discussed during the consultation. Each consultation usually stretches to 2-2.5 hours, thus practically several more hours are being spent than the expected 10 hours.
The first consultation happens on the last day of the training where the trainee would be required to document a real case (which the trainee has seen, is discussed *’as if’* EMDR Therapy is going to be used.) in the format provided and shared with the team.
What is the procedure for the consultations?
After the completion of each Part 1 and Part 2 training, five sessions of online group consultations are arranged. One consultation lasts for about 90 to 120 minutes and the participant is given the credit of 1 hour after each session of the consultation. Total no of consultations that are required is 5 after each part, that is a total of 10 hours credit divided between the Part 1 and 2 of the training. The batches for the online group consultations are formed after the training. The training team allots consultants, assistant consultants and observers from the training team to each group of participants. Each group is led by the consultant and supported by the rest of the team members. The group appoints a representative who serves as a point person for communication regarding setting up the date and time for the consultation. It is mandatory to attend all the consultation and to present at least two cases during the course of the same. It is mandatory to submit the case well in advance prior to the date of the consultation in the form of a written transcript as per the case conceptualization format given at the time of the training. The purpose of the consultation is to learn and apply the standard eight phase protocol of EMDR therapy approach successfully.
What is ‘consultation’ after EMDR Part 1 / Part 2 training?
EMDR therapy approach is a distinct therapy approach that requires thorough training and supervision. After completing the Part 1 training of the two Part Basic / Standard EMDR therapy approach, the participants are to apply the same with their clients. A thorough hand-holding is offered by the consultants of EMDR Association to all the participants, in terms of, helping and supporting them in selecting the first few clients for EMDR therapy, taking history as per AIP model and conceptualizing the treatment plan, devising and explaining the treatment plan for the client, applying the scripted standard protocol with them during the treatment, carry out and close the EMDR therapy across sessions and the Eight Phases of EMDR therapy. A step-by-step learning approach is facilitated during the online sessions of consultation with the qualified and accredited EMDR therapy consultant.
What if I am unable to complete the case submissions or attendance of supervison/consultations?
The submission of cases, and completion of attending necessary supervision/consultation sessions are required to be completed within 2 years of the respective Part 1 or Part 2 Training. If the participant is unable to do so, it will be mandatory for the participant to repeat the respective Part 1 or Part 2 Training.
What about the need for Extra consultation after the completion of the mandatory no. of hours for certification?
The EMDR Association is geared towards capacity building of the EMDR practitioners across the country. As per need of the participants and availability of the qualified accredited EMDR therapy consultant, the extra consultation sessions are announced and offered to the participants. The fees for the same is to be paid separately as per the norms of the association and this is not included in the fees paid for the training by the participant.
For further queries and questions, we request you to check our section of FAQs here. You may also get in touch with us via the form of ‘Contact us’.
Will the certificate be recognised outside India?
The EMDR Basic/Standard training certificate of completion and accreditation provided is valid within the geographical limits of India and accepted by countries that are members of EMDR Asia. However, the Basic / Standard Training in EMDR Therapy Approach conducted by EMDR Asia is well regarded and is as per the standards of international guidelines set by EMDR Global Alliance.
When will I be awarded the Certificate & Accredited?
Kindly visit the following page for more details regarding the requirements to receive the certificate.
Will Part 1 and Part 2 Training happen consequently?
There is at least an interval of 6-9 months post Part 1 Training to enable the trainee to complete the 5 consultations and submit 2 cases before they can apply for Part 2 Training.
However, the trainees unable to complete the course requirements within 2 years after the training will not receive the Certificate of Completion and will have to repeat the entire Basic/Standard EMDR Training.