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 Sessions including practica, plus 10-hours of Consultation. Registrants must take both Session 1 and Session 2. Consultations may be taken as part on this course, or privately (see the Lower Mainland page for Registration and Fee Schedule).

Prerequisites:

Qualified applicants will have a minimum of Master's level training in a mental health discipline and must belong to a professional organization with a code of ethics, or be a graduate student with appropriate supervision.

Learning Objectives:

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

Topics:

1. review of the research on EMDR; discussion of controversy/social psychology of innovation.
2. the psychology of trauma and diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
3. theoretical explanations for EMDR; accelerated information processing; alternate explanations; brain research; caveats.
4. the 8 phases of EMDR treatment.
5. 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.

Session 1 is usually sufficient for work with uncomplicated Posttraumatic 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
  
  

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

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

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. (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols and procedures (2nd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.

Shapiro, F. (2006). New notes on adaptive information processing with case formulation principles, forms, scripts, and worksheets. Hamden, CT: EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs.

Format:

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

Session 1 and Session 2 are scheduled on two separate weekends approximately two to three months apart:

• Friday 9:00am–5:00pm,
• Saturday 9:00am–4:30pm, and
• Sunday 9:00am–4:30pm

Consultations as part of this course take place on three separate occasions at approximately 3-weeks and 8-weeks following Session 1, and 6-weeks following Session 2. Each begins at 6:30pm.

Approved for Continuing Competency by the Canadian Counselling Association.

Instructor:

Marshall Wilensky,
Ph.D., R. Psych., B.C.E.T.S.
EMDRIA Approved Instructor

Registration:

• For courses held in the Lower Mainland area,
  see our Lower Mainland page.
• For courses held outside of the Lower Mainland,
  see our Remote Courses page.