EMDR Therapy Consultation

There are several different reasons why an EMDR therapist seeks consultation. These include:

• To complete the 10 hours of consultation required by EMDRIA in order to complete all the Basic Training in addition to completing Parts 1 & 2. (The 10 hours of consultation are an additional requirement as of July 1, 2007.)
• To gain and update knowledge and to build skills and confidence in using EMDR therapy.
• To pursue and obtain EMDRIA Certification status.
• To pursue and obtain EMDRIA Approved Consultant status.

Your reason for entering consultation directs the type of consultation activities that will be provided to you. As you develop your expertise with EMDR therapy, you may choose to change the focus of consultation. It is important to provide feedback to your Consultant so that adjustments in the consultation focus can be made accordingly.

Certification for EMDR therapists is only offered by EMDRIA.  A clinician who is EMDRIA Certified in EMDR therapy has been licensed or certified in their profession for independent practice and has had a minimum of two years experience in their field.  The clinician has completed an EMDRIA approved EMDR Therapy Basic Training (i.e., Part 1 & 2 w/ 10 hours of consultation), have conducted a minimum of 50 clinical sessions in which EMDR therapy was utilized with at least 25 clients, and have received an additional 20 hours of consultation in EMDR therapy by an Approved Consultant (or Consultant-in-Training).  At least 10 of these hours must be for individual consultation.  Individual and group consultation can be provided face-to-face or via teleconference. Each Approved Consultant or Consultant-in-Training determines what options they offer and fees.  The clinician must also complete 12 hours of EMDRIA continuing education in EMDR therapy and include letters of recommendation from the Approved Consultant-in-Training and/or Approved Consultant(s) as well as two letters of recommendation from peers in the field.  For more information, visit www.emdria.org.

Brenda Rohren is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant.  During the time that she was a Consultant-in-Training, Brenda received consultation from her EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Mark Nickerson, LICSW.  From 2014 to 2016, she met with Mark via teleconference at least once per month for individual consultation and also participated in one of his consultation groups at least monthly.  Since that time, has met with him periodically as needed.  Since May 2018, Brenda has been receiving individual and group consultation from another EMDRIA Approved Consultant, D. Michael Coy, LICSW, regarding assessment and treatment of dissociative disorders.  As an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Brenda can provide all of the 20 hours of consultation to an EMDR therapist who is pursuing EMDRIA Certification or Approved Consultant status.  Individuals who decide to pursue EMDRIA Certification or Approved Consultant status are asked to sign a Consultation Agreement (i.e., contract).  This Consultation Agreement clarifies the general structure of consultation, what is expected of the Consultee, and what the Consultee can expect of the Consultant.

Consultation Fees.  Brenda’s consultation fees are:

• Individual Consultation – 1/2 hour:   $100
• Individual Consultation – 1 hour:  $150
• Group Consultation – 1 hour:   $50

Consultation is not supervision.  Supervision implies that the “supervisor” has primary responsibility for the client’s outcome in treatment.  In some states, the supervisee can only practice under the license of the “supervisor.”  The supervisor carries a legal, ethical, and clinical responsibility/liability for the supervisee.  In contrast, consultation is a collaborative relationship between two mental health professionals.  The Consultant values the integrity and independence of the individual who is consulting with her or him.  The Consultee maintains primary responsibility for the decisions involving treatment for his or her client.  Therefore, the Consultant only offers information, suggestions, and other considerations regarding the utilization of EMDR therapy and never makes demands of the Consultee beyond the Consultant’s domain.