Basic Training Overview – EMDR TRAINING ASSOCIATES

Our EMDR Basic Trainings are offered through the British Columbia School of Professional Psychology (BCSPP) that has been an approved training site by the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA) for many years. The training 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 our Vancouve r and Outside Vancouver dates. BCSPP EMDR trainings are approved for Continuing Competency by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Marshall Wilensky (PhD), Alivia Maric (PhD), and Eve Wilensky (MA) teach the current recommended curriculum, which provides a thorough grounding in the use of this therapeutic approach. Though the BCSPP is based in Vancouver BC, trainings have been offered throughout British Columbia, and in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Idaho, and Washington.

Eligibility

Please visit our Eligibility 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 Post-traumatic 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 December 22, 2022, the EMDRIA established a completion deadline. Participants must complete both training weekends and 10 hours of consultation within 12 months of the Weekend 1 training’s start date.