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.

Positive Highlights:

• Kathy’s enthusiasm for EMDR and her trainer introduction were well-received.
• The video concluded effectively and made a positive first impression.
• Course schedule and timeline meet requirements, with clear inclusion of lecture, practicum, and consultation hours.

Constructive Suggestions:

• Video Length & Structure: The video is currently too long. Consider breaking it into four shorter segments (e.g., trainer introduction, training overview, purpose, and structure).
• Eye Contact: Maintain consistent eye contact with the camera throughout, rather than looking at the computer screen, to better engage viewers.
• Audio & Accessibility: The audio volume is too low, and there are no closed captions or transcripts. Improving these will make the content more accessible.
• Visual Aids: Incorporate visuals, such as PowerPoint slides or screenshots (e.g., course schedule, LMS navigation, Zoom links), to support and clarify your spoken content.

This is not included in the initial instructions, and I also understand why.  

Course Schedule Feedback:

• The course meets the required 20 hours each for lecture and practicum, and includes the necessary 10 hours of consultation. Further details are expected to be accessible in the LMS or throughout the training.

11-10-25

Recent Updates & Challenges:

• Instructional Designer Hired: Brought in expertise to optimize the curriculum structure and meet requirements.
• Rubric Submission Issues: Attempted to submit a rubric form but learned EMDRIA expects a detailed, play-by-play Word document.

Process of Aligning Curriculum Components

1. Starting with the Rubric

• Foundation: The process began by developing the rubric, which defines the criteria for successful learning and assessment in the course.
• Purpose: The rubric set clear expectations for both instructors and trainees regarding the required competencies and outcomes. Reviewed Gagne's 9 events to make sure they aligned.

2. From Rubric to Learning Objectives

• Alignment: Each item and criterion on the rubric was translated into specific learning objectives.
• Clarity: This ensured that every objective directly reflected what trainees needed to know or demonstrate, as measured by the rubric.

3. Integrating Objectives into the Manual

• Manual Development: The next step was revising the training manual to explicitly cover each learning objective.
• Content Mapping: Relevant content, explanations, and examples were organized in the manual to provide comprehensive coverage of all objectives, ensuring nothing was missed.

4. Updating the PowerPoint

• Presentation Revision: The PowerPoint slides were updated to mirror the learning objectives and manual content.
• Consistency: Each slide was designed to reinforce the objectives, providing visual summaries and supporting materials for both live and on-demand instruction.

5. Creating Assessment Questions

• Assessment Design: Finally, course questions (quizzes, tests, or discussion prompts) were written based on the learning objectives and rubric and added to the existing EMDRIA list.
• Direct Measurement: Each question was crafted to directly assess whether trainees had achieved the targeted objectives, creating a clear line from rubric to assessment.

• LMS Revisions: Currently collaborating with CE-Go to rework content structure for both on-demand and live training options. Changes involve reorganizing modules by day and topic, and changed from a live event to an online version and had to change to the online course in CE Go to organize information by Days (6 Days of training) and make sure it flowed with the rubric.
• Video: Resubmitted video with the course walk through and added to the LMS.

Areas to focus on:

• Alternate BLS Forms: Clarify and provide explicit examples of alternate Bilateral Stimulation (BLS) methods (e.g., eye movements, tactile, auditory, tappers, audio).
• Phase Transitions: Specify clear procedures for knowing when to move from the original target to phase 5, rather than implying progression.
• Core Themes: Instead of just implying client themes (self-worth, safety, choice) through case examples, directly list and explain these core themes for trainees.
• Abreactions & Window of Tolerance: Add specific therapist actions for managing abreactions (e.g., using a stop signal, nurturing techniques, or phase 2 interventions).
• Early Events Linking: Include guidance on methods for linking to early events (e.g., Affect Bridge, Floatback) during phase 4 to assist when processing stalls.
• Cultural/Developmental Adaptations: Consider adding adaptations for diverse client populations, such as children, neurodiverse clients, or those with preverbal trauma.
• Continuous Improvement: Working on manual updates, aligning LMS content and rubrics, and revising PowerPoint presentations to reflect updated objectives.

I am getting into the visuals of the course in the next few weeks so more to come.

11/24/25, Adding some information to Phase 4.  This was submitted 10-31-25 and just now getting feedback.  

1. Suggestions for Training Methods

• The feedback suggests incorporating the material in different formats, such as lists or vignettes. Vignettes could be used for trainees to discuss and identify client themes or plateaus, which would help explore negative cognitions. There are multiple ways to integrate this content into the training environment.

2. Positive Acknowledgement

• The resubmission is praised for providing a clear overview of key concepts: BLS (Bilateral Stimulation), channels of association, blocked processing, and the general flow of Phase 4.

3. Areas Needing Improvement

• Connection of Past, Present, and Future: The feedback notes that the explanation of how Phase 4 processing links past, present, and future is missing. Adding a clear description and a brief example is recommended.
• Decision Protocols for New Memories: The assignment should explicitly state the decision protocols for handling spontaneous new memories during processing.
• Cognitive Interweave Section: This section requires further development to reach the expected depth for this level of training.

12/5/25  It has been a while since EMDRIA responded to me, and I spent several hours documenting videos and making them editable.  It seemed that I wanted to produce the right sound, images and content to exceed the bar, as previous videos received scrutinizing feedback in these areas.  I was so excited to submit these new levels and today, they just wrote back with 7 of 26 on the modules.  Submit Brief Recordings of Yourself Teaching Aspects of your course.  Haven’t read the feedback, but all of these technical details are daunting at times.  I am disappointed and will re-work, and will write more after I see these.  I submitted them on Nov 13^th as well and it took me 1-2 weeks to record and edit these.