Basic Training Information

The British Columbia School of Professional Psychology (BCSPP) presents Basic Training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This course is approved by the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA). It follows the EMDRIA’s currently recommended curriculum (as of July 1, 2007) and is in 3 parts: two 3-day weekends including practica, plus 10-hours of consultation. Registrants must take both Weekend 1 and Weekend 2. Consultations with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant may be taken as part on this course, or privately. See the Vancouver page and the applicable Outside Vancouver offering for registration forms and fee schedules. BCSPP EMDR trainings are approved for Continuing Competency by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Prerequisites

Please visit our Prerequisites page.

Learning Objectives

  • to understand the research and theoretical positions on EMDR.
  • to use the basic 8-phase EMDR protocol, effectively and safely, and adapt it to special situations and populations.
  • to be familiar with variations on the basic protocol for special populations.
  • to understand legal and ethical considerations in the use of EMDR.

Topics

  • review of the research on EMDR; discussion of controversy/social psychology of innovation.
  • the psychology of trauma and diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
  • theoretical explanations for EMDR; accelerated information processing; alternate explanations; brain research; caveats.
  • the 8 phases of EMDR treatment.
  • EMDR and special populations.

Course Objectives

Participants learn to use EMDR appropriately and effectively in a variety of applications. Such use is based on understanding the theoretical basis of EMDR, safety issues, integration with a treatment plan, and supervised practice.

The course is in two trainings, and consultation components take place after each.

Weekend 1 is usually sufficient for work with uncomplicated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in most clients.

  • Class 1: History, Trauma, Research
  • Class 2: EMDR Basic Protocol
  • Class 3: EMDR Basic Protocol
  • Class 4: Practicum I
  • Class 5: Re-evaluation, Special Protocols, Present Anxiety, Abreaction
  • Class 6: Practicum II

Weekend 2 is necessary for working effectively with more complex cases, special populations and more severe, longstanding, or complicated psychopathologies.

  • Class 7 (Didactic): Protocol Review, Pain
  • Class 8: Addiction, Cognitive Interweave
  • Class 9: Practicum III
  • Class 10: Resource Development and Installation
  • Class 11: Practicum IV
  • Class 12: Children, Dissociation

Consultation includes 10 hours of individual or group consultation with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. These may be acquired as part of this course, or privately.

Textbook

Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols and procedures (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

Format

  • lecture, discussion, demonstration, video
    (20 hours)
  • supervised practice
    (20 hours)
  • consultation
    (10 hours)

Weekend 1 and Weekend 2 are scheduled on approximately 2 to 3 months apart:

  • Friday 9:00am–5:00pm,
  • Saturday 9:00am–5:00pm, and
  • Sunday 9:00am–5:00pm

Consultations as part of this course take place on three separate evenings.

Deadline for Completion of All Training Components

As of January 1, 2017, the EMDRIA established a completion deadline.  Participants must complete both training weekends and 10 hours of consultation within 24 months of the Weekend 1 training’s start date.

Registration

For current course offerings and future possibilities, see both our Vancouver and Outside Vancouver pages .