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Sign inEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma and many other mental health problems.
To date, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about EMDR therapy.
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Are "EMDR Canada Membership" and "Certification in EMDR" the same thing?
Not at all. Being a "Member of EMDR Canada" only means that you are a member of the Canadian Association. A therapist can become a member of EMDR Canada after successfully completing basic training in EMDR. The therapist controls the method and has the basic skills required to use it, but he is not "an EMDR Certified Therapist" as such.
"Certified EMDR Therapist" means that the therapist has deepened his knowledge and practice of EMDR. This is a designation granted by EMDRIA. To become certified after basic training, the therapist must engage in a certain number of hours of supervision, sessions using EMDR and advanced trainings.
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Are EMDR International Association and EMDR Canada affiliated?
Yes, they are. In becoming a member of EMDR Canada, you become also a member of EMDRIA with all it’s benefits except for voting privileges.
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As a member of EMDR Canada where am I listed on the website?
All full members of EMDR Canada (except Students and Retired) are listed in the “Find a Therapist” section of the website. People can search by Province, Language, EMDR Designation and Population served or make a free search by name, city, profession, etc.
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Does completion of basic training in EMDR mean that you are Certified in EMDR?
No. Completion of basic EMDR training is just that – completion and acquisition of the basic skills to practice EMDR therapy. Whereas certification is an advanced process, which is only offered through EMDRIA. To become certified after basic training, the therapist must engage in a certain number of hours of supervision, sessions using EMDR and advanced trainings.
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Does EMDR Canada maintain a directory of EMDR therapists?
Yes. The EMDR Canada members are listed in the «Find a therapist» feature. Our members have the possibility to display important information like: population served, website, small bio, etc. People can search by Province, Language, EMDR Designation and Population served or make a free search by name, city, profession, etc.
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Does EMDR Canada provide basic training in EMDR?
EMDR Canada does not conduct Basic EMDR Training; however, we recommend you locate EMDRIA-Approved Trainers to ensure quality and high standards. In this website, you will find an alphabetical listing (by province) of approved Basic EMDR Training Providers. Some of these training sites offer the Basic Training and/or Advanced Trainings in various provinces across Canada.
Those who are interested in learning more about the training offered should contact the individual or organization directly to request more information on training dates, costs, location, length and format. Also, check «Find a Training» for upcoming Basic Trainings, Advanced Trainings and Conferences.
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Approximately 20 controlled studies have investigated the effects of EMDR. These studies have consistently found that EMDR effectively decreases/eliminates the symptoms of post traumatic stress for the majority of clients. Clients often report improvement in other associated symptoms such as anxiety. The current treatment guidelines of the American Psychiatric Association and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies designate EMDR as an effective treatment for post traumatic stress. EMDR was also found effective by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, the United Kingdom Department of Health, the Israeli National Council for Mental Health, and many other international health and governmental agencies. Research has also shown that EMDR can be an efficient and rapid treatment.
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At first, there must be one or two meetings at least, so the therapist can take the time to understand the nature of your difficulties and to assess whether the EMDR may be an appropriate treatment. The therapist will also take the time to explain what EMDR is and answer your questions before you begin treatment. Following an agreement between client and therapist, therapy with EMDR can begin.Typically, a session with EMDR lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The kind of difficulties, your life circumstances and the number of previous trauma are factors that will determine the number of EMDR sessions you need. EMDR can be integrated into a process of "verbal" regular therapy. EMDR can also be used as adjunctive therapy with a second therapist or as a treatment in itself.
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What is the actual EMDR session like?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an integrative psychotherapy approach that has been extensively researched and proven effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set of standardized protocols that incorporates elements from many different treatment approaches. To date, EMDR therapy has helped millions of people of all ages relieve many types of psychological stress.
The amount of time the complete treatment will take depends upon the history of the client. Complete treatment of the targets involves a three pronged protocol (1-past memories, 2-present disturbance, 3-future actions), and are needed to alleviate the symptoms and address the complete clinical picture.
The goal of EMDR therapy is to process completely the experiences that are causing problems, and to include new ones that are needed for full health. "Processing" does not mean talking about it.
"Processing" means setting up a learning state that will allow experiences that are causing problems to be "digested" and stored appropriately in your brain. That means that what is useful to you from an experience will be learned, and stored with appropriate emotions in your brain, and be able to guide you in positive ways in the future. The inappropriate emotions, beliefs, and body sensations will be discarded. Negative emotions, feelings and behaviors are generally caused by unresolved earlier experiences that are pushing you in the wrong directions. The goal of EMDR therapy is to leave you with the emotions, understanding, and perspectives that will lead to healthy and useful behaviors and interactions.
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What kind of problems can EMDR treat?
Scientific research has established EMDR as effective for post traumatic stress. However, clinicians also have reported success using EMDR in treatment of the following conditions: Panic attacks, Complicated grief, Dissociative disorders, Disturbing memories, Phobias, Pain disorders, Performance anxiety, Stress reduction, Addictions, Sexual and/or Physical abuse, Body dysmorphic disorders, Personality Disorders.