Introduction to EMDR Therapy

EMDR Therapy is designed to bring resolution to traumatic experiences, decreasing the distress associated with disturbing memories and improving the client’s self-image. The model understands trauma and adverse life events to encode information maladaptively in the brain, causing mental and behavioral disorders. EMDR Therapy aims to correct this encoding using the AIP model, a standard 8-phase protocol, and a 3-pronged approach to treatment.

In this course, participants will learn the history of EMDR, its evolution to an efficient and evidence-based therapy for PTSD, and its effectiveness for other behavioral disorders.

1 hour CE. Recorded video format (non-interactive)

Content Advisories: This course includes brief mentions of traumatic experiences including sexual assault and death of a child. To protect client confidentiality, case examples may include fictionalized elements.

ESTIMATED COURSE LENGTH: 1.22 hours 

CE CREDITS: 1.00 continuing education/contact hours for social workers, psychologists, counselors, and marriage and family therapists

TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Practitioners

LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION: Intermediate

PREREQUISITE(S): None

INSTRUCTIONAL METHOD: Recorded video format (non-interactive)

ACCESSIBILITY ACCOMMODATIONS: Closed captioning of audio components. In order to request further accessibility accommodations, please email support@psychhub.com.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS: To obtain your CE certificate, learners must complete a pre-test (not scored), progress through all course segments, complete a participant evaluation, and obtain a score of 80% or higher on a post-test. Learners are expected to complete the quiz within 3 attempts. If unable to do so, the learner will need to re-review the course segments.

FINANCIAL/COMMERCIAL SUPPORT STATEMENT: This course has no commercial support.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:  This course has no potential conflict of interest or outside commercial support. Psych Hub's conflict of interest statement is found in the footer of the training center.

GRIEVANCE AND REFUND POLICIES: Grievance and refund policies are found in the footer of the training center.

PARTICIPATION COSTS:  The cost to participate in this CE activity is included in the subscription registration fee.

COURSE CREATION DATE: 4/6/2021

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe at least three ways in which trauma affects emotions and behavior
• Explain at least two elements of the hypothesized mechanism of change in EMDR Therapy
• Describe the 8 phases of EMDR therapy
• Apply at least two principles of a trauma-informed framework to identify those clients who would benefit from EMDR therapy

1. History of EMDR therapy
   1. Definition
   2. Research
   3. Mechanism of change
2. How trauma impacts emotions and behaviors
3. AIP model (Adaptive Information Processing)
4. The Three-pronged approach 
5. Eight phases of EMDR therapy
6. Additional elements
   1. Resources
   2. Trauma-informed framework
   3. Identifying appropriate clients
7. Success stories
   1. Who may benefit
   2. Problems outside of PTSD