How to Find a Qualified EMDR Therapist: Training, Credentials & Questions to Ask
Not All EMDR Trainings Are the Same
One important thing to understand when looking for an EMDR therapist is that seeing “EMDR” listed in a therapist's biography doesn't necessarily tell you the depth of their training.
There are many continuing-education workshops and online courses that introduce clinicians to EMDR concepts, techniques, or specific applications. Some may be only a few hours long. These trainings can be valuable as supplemental education, particularly for therapists who have already completed comprehensive EMDR training, but they are not the same as completing an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training.
An EMDRIA-approved Basic Training requires a minimum of 50 hours:
20 hours of instructional material
20 hours of supervised practicum
10 hours of consultation
The practicum and consultation components are particularly important. Clinicians don't simply learn about EMDR through lectures. They practice EMDR skills under supervision and receive consultation as they begin integrating the approach into their clinical work.
A Short EMDR Course Is Not the Same as Comprehensive EMDR Training
A therapist may have taken a workshop or continuing-education course that teaches EMDR concepts without having completed a comprehensive EMDRIA-approved Basic Training.
That doesn't necessarily mean the additional education isn't valuable. Continuing education and advanced workshops can be an important part of a therapist's professional development.
The key is understanding the difference between:
A short or supplemental EMDR continuing-education course
and
A comprehensive EMDRIA-approved Basic Training that includes instruction, supervised practicum, and consultation.
If you're considering working with an EMDR therapist, one of the simplest questions you can ask is:
“Did you complete an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training?”
That's much more specific than simply asking:
“Are you trained in EMDR?”
How Can I Verify an EMDR Therapist's Training?
You don't have to understand every EMDR credential to ask useful questions.
Consider asking:
Did you complete an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training?
Who provided your EMDR training?
Did your training include instruction, supervised practicum, and consultation?
Have you completed the entire Basic Training, including consultation?
Are you an EMDRIA Certified Therapist™, or are you pursuing certification?
Do you continue to receive EMDR consultation?
Have you completed advanced EMDR training relevant to the concerns you treat?
How frequently do you actually use EMDR with clients?
You can also use the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) as an independent resource to learn about EMDR training standards, understand professional credentials, locate EMDRIA-approved training programs, and search for EMDR therapists.
Credentials aren't the only consideration when choosing a therapist, but understanding the depth and quality of a clinician's EMDR training can help you make a more informed decision.
About the Author
Ellie Kane, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State (License #LH61527781) and an EMDR-trained therapist providing online therapy for adults. She specializes in working with trauma, anxiety, perfectionism, burnout, and high-functioning adults who may appear capable on the outside while feeling overwhelmed or anxious internally.
Ellie's approach integrates EMDR with somatic, mindfulness-based, and evidence-informed therapies to help clients move beyond simply understanding their patterns toward creating meaningful, lasting change.
Learn more about Ellie and her approach to therapy or view her professional profile with the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).
