The EMDR Therapist Weekly aims to provide a weekly dose of insights, tools, and opportunities for EMDR therapists; designed to support your growth, sharpen your practice, and connect you with what's next. To achieve this, we like to invite subject matter experts as guest writers. This week I'm honored to introduce again, our first returning guest writer: Carol Miles, MSW, LCSW.

Having served a term as President of EMDRIA, Carol remains an EMDRIA certified Therapist, Consultant, and Basic and Advanced Trainer. Owner of Three Rivers Training Center, she also leads other EMDRIA Approved Trainers in supporting the next generation of EMDR clinicians. Her contributions to the field of EMDR have been recognized through the Outstanding Contribution Award in 2023.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Carol's passion for education led her to serve as an adjunct professor at the Tulane School of Social Work for two decades, nurturing future generations of mental health professionals. As a retiring co-chair of the South Louisiana EMDR Network and a former member of the EMDRIA Board of Directors, Carol's legacy continues to inspire and shape the landscape of mental health care.

Carol writes:

As EMDR continues to grow and evolve, therapists are navigating new ethical territory. In my recent trainings through Three Rivers Training Center, I’ve invited clinicians, consultants, and trainers to take a fresh look at how ethics shows up in our work — not as a checklist, but as a living process rooted in reflection, curiosity, and care.

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What Ethics Really Means in EMDR

Ethics isn’t about personal values or opinions. Ethics are the structure that can protect clients and keep our work credible.

EMDRIA’s ethical principles align with the broader mental health field:

• Do good and avoid harm
• Honor trust and professional responsibility
• Act with honesty and integrity
• Promote fairness and access
• Respect each client’s dignity and autonomy

Practicing ethically means staying curious about how our own identities, power, and privilege affect the therapy space... and being willing to examine those dynamics as they arise.

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Competence in a Changing Field

Competence is an ethical responsibility, not an achievement. It grows through continuing education, consultation, and supervision. This is especially important as we integrate telehealth, virtual platforms, or AI-based tools. Before adopting new methods, we should pause to ask: Am I trained to use this well? Is client privacy fully protected? Does it align with professional standards?

Knowing our limits, and seeking help when needed, is vital to ethical care.

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The Human Side of Ethical Decisions

Ethical decision-making models help us slow down and think clearly when situations are complex. They remind us to identify the dilemma, review the codes, explore our options, act with integrity, and reflect afterward.

This often requires us to face tough dilemmas head-on and consult with colleagues. Working toward the best option possible.

The goal isn’t perfection... it’s accountability and thoughtful care.

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Culture, Systems, and Real Life

Ethics can’t be separated from culture or context. “Colorblind” or one-size-fits-all practice misses the mark. Ethical EMDR means staying humble, learning from our clients, and recognizing systemic barriers that affect access to care.

Many ethical dilemmas actually come from outside the therapy room. Whether it be limited resources, agency policies, or inequities in who receives EMDR. Ethical work involves balancing advocacy with boundaries, and compassion with practicality.

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Moving Forward

Ethical EMDR practice is dynamic. It grows when we:

• Stay anchored to evidence-based practice
• Commit to cultural humility and equity
• Seek peer consultation and supervision
• Reflect on privilege and power dynamics

Ethics is more a mindset than a set of rules. It’s about staying grounded in integrity, humanity, and a lifelong commitment to learning.

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Carol Miles, MSW, LCSW

EMDRIA Certified Therapist, Approved Consultant, and Basic and Advanced Trainer

Connect with Carol here.

Thanks for reading Helicon's EMDR Therapist Weekly, where we aim to provide a weekly dose of insights, tools, and opportunities for EMDR therapists; designed to support your growth, sharpen your practice, and connect you with what's next.
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