Preparing for EMDRIA Basic Training Application

Here are some tips and tricks along the way as you apply for EMDRIA basic training application.  We know that EMDRIA has a long list of requrements, and with this blog, I am going to walk you through the process as I go through it.  The dates and procedures are outlined below so you can see the timeframe of my application. 

 Know that they have several requirements that you will complete and they have a team of reviewers.  You can expect them to respond very sporadically, and at random.  I am talking like one comment a week for a section and there are at least 40 modules with at least 3-10 sections per module.  

This is like going through an editing process for a book vs being reviewed on the content of the material.  They provide you an outline, but you are in no way/shape or form allowed to use the exact material in your own powerpoint and must modify the concepts on your own.

Know that they have several reviewers looking at your application at a time, and there is a team of reviewers that meets to review the applications.  They recently "streamlined" the application process so they only open applications once per month. I will keep updating this blog with my personal timeline so you can see how it went.  The problem with this is that you adjust your feedback and content to one reviewer and the next reviewer will flag this as something not correct.  There appears to be a flaw and it may be best to have one reviewer per application so they can review the material as the person adjusts and submits.  However, this is not the case.

I submitted my original attempt in Feb 2024 and at the Anaheim EMDRIA Convention in 2025, was advised that someone that submitted in April 2025 was already under review in September 2025.  So, there appears to be some challenges with the way they are reviewed.

Apparently they have had several people submit their applications and according to Sarah Tolino with EMDRIA, " Our review team has done our best to work from a spreadsheet so that we know “who was here first” since we had so many prospective candidates interested in becoming trainers".  

You have access to the new Canvas platform for the 1-year period after submission.  They allow you to work on this, however, in my initial attempt, all my modules were complete and they still were not reviewing them at a great pace.  My suggestion is, wait, wait and wait some more.  They are a slow moving animal, and they are not prioritizing trainers at this time. My question is, "Why would you not want more EMDR Basic  Trained clinicians?", It appears they are closely watching to avoid the term "gatekeeping", as it seems there is some aversion to this description. It appears that they are implementing systems to control the "floodgates" of applications.  They say here are some tips: https://emdria.org/wp-content/uploads/articulate-rise-360/emdria-approved-trainer-application-getting-started-final/index.html#/ 

Submitted Application in new cycle window when they are only opening applications for a month at a time. https://emdria.org/wp-content/uploads/articulate-rise-360/emdria-approved-trainer-application-getting-started-final/index.html#/lessons/497oflpE9uiUst6mwzCujVTqG7UOiTyH

They are revamping the criteria and are playing a close eye to it at this time.

10-1-25 Received an email confirmation and invoice for $50.  This is new and there used to not be a fee until the end, so now they are adding fees up front to submit the application.  After this is paid they state they will reach out with instructions on how to access the next portion of the trainer application in Canvas in 5 days once the invoice is paid.  

As you go through the course, they provide you learning objectives in modules in CANVAS, and below I am showing what their feedback is and how I have gone about changing it.  Follow back and check back, as well as post comments along the way, so you can journey through this process with me. 

10-14-25  Updates to the grievance policy to include very specific, information to professional contacts.

10-14-25 Updates to the clinician manual were updated descriptive of entire course manual, including practicum and consultation.  Making sure that all course hours reach 20 hours if instruction, 20 hours of practicum and 10 hours of consultation.  Update a page to include why consultation was important and where to find consultants working with the organization.

10/27/25 This component is an Introductory Video for the Basic Training Course.  We are asked to submit a video to introduce ourselves as trainers and a walk through of the course.  Also, there is a lot here about the way we present ourselves and it is difficult to walk through this to see what they want.  There is not a mention of eye contact in the rubric, but grading appears to reflect the rubric.  They also did not ask for closed captions, but it is asked for here.  They ask for visuals, but it is not asked for in the rubric.  This is confusing as a person submitting not knowing exactly what they are asking for. See the comments on this section below to help you avoid these when you submit.

Great information, Kathy, about you as a trainer and your enthusiams for EMDR. Good conclusion to the video as well! However, if you could please resubmit to address the following, since this is one of the first impressions you make on your Trainees and your training: 

• In general, the current video is too long. It seems like it should be broken up into 4 different, shorter videos - which your edits seem to address (between introduction of you, the basic training/about 3 minutes; the purpose/about 5:30; and then the structure)
• Your eye contact when you talk about yourself as a trainer is very good but then your eye contact switches to your computer screen and not the camera. Having more eye contact helps to draw your audience in. 
• Your recorded volume was very low and there were no closed captions/transcripts to support your oral presentation. 
• Having visuals (i.e., PowerPoint, or screen shots of a general schedule, and/or your LMS structure/where to find the Zoom links) helps to give trainees another support besides your oral presentation so that trainees can see what you are talking about.  

- EMDRIA Representative 4

Oct 24 at 2:15pm

Course schedule feedback.  This is needed to make sure we meet the 20 hours.  Your course schedule/timeline meets the 20 hours lecture, 20 hours practicum and you also include a note about the 10 hours of consultation for trainees which is acceptable as it sounds like more details will be available for trainees either in the LMS or throughout the course of the training. 

- EMDRIA Representative 3