Virtual EMDR Basic Training

Specialized Trauma-Informed Training for Mental Health Professionals

Training Details$Apply Now$
Limited Seating:
Only 50 spots available per session!
In our modern world, trauma-informed care is at the heart of effective clinical care to today’s generations. That’s why we are so pleased to offer EMDR Basic Training. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment that has been shown to have efficacy with many different types of trauma issues and distressing life experiences including PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and Panic Disorders.

The best news is that this training is VIRTUAL!

“While there are many new techniques and treatments for trauma, the only one that has clear and solid research backing the effectiveness is EMDR. If you are going to invest the time and money to be certified in a trauma treatment model, the clear choice is EMDR.”

Jennifer Ellers, M.A.
Director of AACC’s Grief, Crisis and Disaster Network

Life has become difficult for almost everyone, and as more and more of your clients are presenting with trauma, you want to do everything you can to provide effective trauma treatment. This training is an EMDRIA-approved EMDR training that offers you the knowledge and skills to effectively administer EMDR therapy in your clinical care.

EMDR is recognized by the World Health Organization, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, American Psychiatric Association. SAMHSA, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and more, as an effective intervention and treatment for trauma.

Don’t miss this new Virtual Specialized Training opportunity!

Special Note: This training is open to licensed mental health professionals, pre-licensed mental health professionals under supervision, and graduate counseling students in practicum or internship and under supervision only. View full eligibility requirements here.

Training Details

Dates

Part 1, Weekend 1:
October 8-10, 2026

Part 2, Weekend 2:
November 19-21, 2026

Schedule:
Thursday and Friday – 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Consultation Hours:
TBD (Based off group schedule)

Cost

AACC Members: $1,600

Non-AACC Members: $1,750

CEs and consultation hours included in cost

Online Virtual Training (Zoom)

Apply Now$
This virtual training is taught in two parts over two separate mandatory weekends. Participants are required to be present for each session and consultation. In between the two weeks, you will receive consultation and support from the instructors, as you apply EMDR to your clients. Given that face-to-face sessions with clients may be restricted, the use of telehealth to conduct EMDR Therapy will also be introduced. Because you will have had practical field experience, when we join together for weekend 2, you will be more comfortable and confident with EMDR interventions.

Because this course is offered on a virtual platform, all class sessions and consultation sessions will be conducted via Zoom. You can anticipate the same level of care as if we were in person with you; we will engage with you and provide the support you need.

EMDR Basic Training includes two separate 20-hour weekends, and an additional 10 hours of consultation. The price for consultation is included in your cost. You must attend both weekends and the personal consultation to complete the training.

Training Includes

  • 40 hours of virtual training broken up into two, 20-hour weekends
  • 10 hours of group consultation with one of your trainers
  • EMDRIA Certificate of Completion of EMDR Basic Training
  • 40 hours of Continuing Education from the AACC

Learning Objectives

Participants will…

    • Discuss the nature of trauma
    • Explain the Adaptive Information Processing Model which informs trauma treatment
    • Itemize how EMDR was developed
    • Experience the structured EMDR Protocols used for EMDR Resourcing
    • Practice the structured EMDR Protocols used for the processing of trauma
    • Understand and delineate how EMDR helps clients to process disturbing events from the past, present, future

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Continuing Education

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), #1400, is approved as a provider for social work Continuing Education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ASWB Approval Perioed: (09/06/2023 to 09/06/2026). Licensed social workers should contact their individual regulatory boards to review current Continuing Education requirements for licensure renewal. Any presentation that is less than 50 minutes in duration is not approved by the ASWB for Continuing Education credits.
NBCC
American Association of Christian Counselors has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No 7543. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Association of Christian Counselors is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) is an Approved Continuing Education CE provider by the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC). American Association of Christian Counselors is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due for good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements.

Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required continuing education hours. For more information, click here: aacc.net/continuing-education/

Cancellation and Refund Policy
To receive a full refund of the registration fee or transfer to a later class, participants must cancel their registration no later than 30 days (10/11/2025) before the first day of the training. In certain circumstances (determined by AACC staff), cancellations or transfer requests to a later class may be issued after the 30 day (10/11/2025) window for medical emergencies defined as serious illness, injury or death to you or an immediate family member. Once the training has started, no refunds or transfers will be approved. Participants must sign the Participant Agreement here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my application to be reviewed?
Applications are reviewed weekly and you will receive an email within 4-5 business days with an update on the status of your application.
What happens when I’m approved?
Once you are approved, you will receive an email with details on how to pay for the training. You are not successfully registered until your payment is processed for the training.
Why was my application denied?
The most common reason is based on the information provided in your application. Most applications are denied because the applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications set forth by EMDRIA. If you believe your application was wrongfully denied, please email kyle.sutton@aacc.net after reviewing the EMDRIA requirements here: www.emdria.org/emdr-training/eligibility-requirements-for-emdr-training/
What is included in the cost?
Your registration cover all 6 days of training, which is divided into two weekend. This also includes the 10 hours of required consultation which will be completed before receiving your Certificate of Completion for EMDR Basic Training, and which will be provided by EMDRIA Approved Trainers.
Do I need any additional resources?
Yes, attendees are required to purchase the following book before the start of the training. Shapiro, F. (2017). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Basic Principles, Protocols and Procedures (3rded.). New York: The Guilford Press. It is not expected that you have read the book prior to the training; however, please become very familiar with it.
Do I have to attend each session both weekends?
Yes, both weekends are mandatory to complete the EMDR Basic Training. You must be present on each day of the training. Because a great deal of the training is in practicum, not attending each live section will impact others and will not allow you to get all of the knowledge that is required to be considered trained. If you miss any portion of the training, you will not receive a certificate of completion or CE’s.
Will I become an EMDR Certified Therapist?
No. Once you have completed an EMDR Training, you are considered an EMDR trained clinician. EMDR Certification requires additional levels of continuing education and consultation in EMDR and is a separate process. For more on EMDRIA Certification, go to: www.emdria.org/emdr-training/certification-faqs/
Is EMDRIA Certification required to practice EMDR Therapy?
EMDRIA Certification is a voluntary process. It is a pathway through which individual therapists may wish to pursue further training. Certification is not required in order for a clinician to practice EMDR therapy. If you have completed EMDR basic training, then you can use EMDR therapy under your license.
Who can attend?
Licensed Mental Health Professionals:

Qualifying Medical Doctors must be licensed to practice in their state or province.

Qualifying Advanced Practice Registered Nurses must have a Master of Science in Nursing (or higher) with a specialization in psychiatric mental health nursing and must be licensed to practice through their state board or province.

Qualifying Mental Health Clinicians must have a Master’s Degree in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Psychiatry, Social Work) or related mental health discipline and be licensed to practice through their state board or province.

Pre-Licensed Mental Health Professionals:

These are clinicians who are actively pursuing a mental health license through their state board (or province) while working under a licensed supervisor. Some of these license types may include: associate, intern, limited, provisional, temporary and pre-license.

Qualifying Pre-Licensed Mental Health Clinicians must have a Master’s Degree in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Psychiatry, Social Work) or related mental health discipline and must be actively pursuing a full license through their state board (or province) while working under a licensed supervisor.

Graduate Students:

Qualifying graduate students must be enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral program in the mental health field (Counseling, Marriage Family Therapy, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Psychiatry, Psychiatric Nursing, Social Work) or related mental health discipline. Students must have completed their core graduate academic coursework and must be in the practicum/internship portion of their graduate program. First year graduate students are not eligible. Graduate students must be on a licensing track and working under the supervision of a fully licensed mental health clinician.

Graduate students who would like to take an EMDR Training will need to submit certain documentation (graduate transcript, practicum or internship details, and a letter from their supervisor which includes the supervisor’s license information and number) in order to verify their eligibility. Students do not need to provide EMDRIA with any documentation unless specifically asked to do so by EMDRIA staff. Any documentation that needs to be submitted would go directly to the training provider either prior to or during the training registration process.

Kathleen Fitzgerald

Kathleen Fitzgerald

Kathleen has been an LCMHC, running her own private practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina for more than 2 decades. Kathleen specializes in relationships and attachment work, especially for those with ADD, and other learning issues. She brings her love of getting to know people and teaching to her work in training and supporting therapists learning EMDR. www.trainingemdr.com

AACC Staff

AACC is committed to assisting Christian counselors, the entire “community of care,” licensed professionals, pastors, and lay church members with little or no formal training. It is our intention to equip clinical, pastoral, and lay care-givers with biblical truth and psychosocial insights that minister to hurting persons and help them move to personal wholeness, interpersonal competence, mental stability, and spiritual maturity.