What is EMDR accreditation and why is it important? - 01/02/25
Dr Maria Tucknott talks about EMDR accreditation and why it reflects a higher level of skill and experience. Click to read more.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a proven, evidence-based therapy used to treat trauma and a range of other mental health issues. In my earlier blog posts, I wrote about how EMDR therapy works and debunked some common myths. For this month’s blog I’m going to talk about what EMDR accreditation is and why it is important.
How do therapists train in EMDR?
In the UK and Europe, therapists must already hold qualifications in a core profession (such as psychology, psychiatry, psychotherapy, counselling, or mental health nursing) and be registered with a professional body (such as the HCPC, NMC, BABCP, UKCP etc) before they can train in EMDR. For a full list of the eligibility criteria, click here.
EMDR is an advanced psychotherapy requiring a high level of skill, so a mental health background is a vital foundation to practicing EMDR safely and effectively with clients. Standard training in EMDR takes place in three parts and involves 52 hours of training. This includes teaching, experiential exercises and supervision. To successfully complete the course, therapists must apply EMDR therapy with at least three clients in their clinical practice throughout the training.
Once standard training has been completed, this means that therapists can practice EMDR safely. The next step is accreditation and not everyone chooses to go down this optional route.
What is EMDR accreditation?
Becoming an accredited EMDR practitioner is the next step after standard training and reflects a higher level of skill and experience. Accreditation requires therapists to have their practice rigorously evaluated by an EMDR consultant, ensuring they are competent in applying EMDR to complex cases.
To achieve accreditation, therapists must discuss a minimum of 25 clinical cases with an EMDR consultant as part of their supervision. This involves an in-depth review of cases to ensure safe and effective practice. Additionally, therapists must provide video recordings of their EMDR sessions (with client consent) as evidence of their work. The entire process typically takes around two years.
To maintain accreditation, EMDR therapist must achieve a certain number of hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and continue having regular supervision from an EMDR consultant.
Once accredited, therapist are classified as having practitioner status. Some don't stop there and choose to advance even further by working towards becoming an EMDR Consultant. This involves having a further 75 clinical cases supervised, attending specialist consultant training and gaining experience of supervising other EMDR therapist.
What are the different levels of EMDR training?
The image below summarises the three different levels of EMDR Training:
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What Do Therapists Gain from EMDR Accreditation?
The accreditation process is intensive and requires therapists to reflect deeply on their clinical work. By discussing their cases in supervision, they gain valuable insights and develop more advanced skills, particularly in working complex cases. For example, therapists learn how to structure EMDR therapy for clients with multiple traumas, as well as how to address challenges when the therapy gets stuck. Ultimately, accreditation is a mark of competence because it helps therapists become more skilled, confident, and effective in using EMDR.
Where can I find an accredited EMDR therapist?
In the UK, you can use Find a Therapist on the EMDR Association website as it only lists those who are trained to accreditation or consultant level.
EMDR Therapy in Hertford - face to face and online
I have been practicing EMDR since 2018 and I am an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner and a Consultant in Training (CiT). If you would like to work with me then get in touch or email me directly on maria@tucknottpsychology.com