Hey there,

Here's a conversation I have regularly with EMDR therapists:

"I've been doing EMDR for years. I'm comfortable with the protocol. Do I really need to keep getting consultation?"

The short answer?

Absolutely.

EMDR consultation isn’t only for learning new techniques or getting unstuck with difficult cases (though it does both of those things). It’s also important for maintaining the ethical foundation that makes this work effective and safe.

And not only that:

If you’re considering becoming an Approved Consultant yourself, EMDR consultation is required throughout the entire process.

Let's start with what many therapists don't fully understand about EMDRIA's consultation requirements.

For EMDR Certified Therapist status, EMDRIA requires 20 hours of consultation, over at least 50 EMDR sessions and 25 clients.

But here's what's often missed:

This consultation isn't a one-time requirement.

EMDRIA expects ongoing consultation throughout your career as an EMDR practitioner. And for Approved Consultant status, the requirements are even more extensive:

• 3 years of EMDR practice after basic training
• 300 EMDR sessions (with at least 75 different clients)
• 20 hours in consultation-of-consultation (after becoming Certified Therapist)

These numbers aren’t random.

They reflect a fundamental understanding that EMDR work requires ongoing experience and that consultation helps refine that experience so we can become the best practitioner possible.

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Why Experience Doesn't Eliminate the Need for Consultation

I've spent hundreds of hours in consultation with EMDR therapists (from newly trained practitioners to professional clinicians with decades of experience).

Over the years, what I consistently observe is that even highly experienced therapists benefit significantly from regular consultation.

Here's why:

Complex cases require multiple perspectives: No matter how experienced you are, certain client presentations will challenge your clinical judgment. Having another trained EMDR professional review your approach can reveal blind spots or suggest alternative interventions you might not have considered.

Countertransference can be easier to spot from the outside: When you're deeply involved in therapeutic work with a client, your own emotional responses can influence your clinical decisions in ways you don't immediately recognize. A consultant can help identify these patterns and suggest ways to address them.

EMDR protocols continue evolving: New research, refined techniques, and updated protocols emerge regularly. Consultation helps ensure you're staying current with best practices rather than relying solely on what you learned in your initial training.

Ethical decision-making benefits from collaboration: EMDR work often involves complex ethical considerations, particularly with severely traumatized clients. Consultation provides a forum for discussing these issues and making sure your approach aligns with professional standards.

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The Difference Between Peer Support and Professional Consultation

Many therapists think they're getting adequate consultation through peer groups or informal discussions with colleagues.

While peer support is valuable, it's not the same as professional consultation.

Effective EMDR consultation requires specific expertise in EMDR applications. Your consultant should have extensive training in EMDR protocols and experience with diverse client presentations (which goes beyond general therapeutic training).

Professional consultation also follows structured case review processes, making sure all relevant factors are considered rather than just discussing whatever seems most pressing.

A professional consultant takes responsibility for guiding your clinical development and will challenge your thinking when necessary (even when it's uncomfortable).

Most importantly, your consultant should be familiar with EMDRIA's ethical guidelines and certification requirements.

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The Consultation Pathway to Advanced Practice

For therapists considering EMDR Certified Therapist status or eventual Approved Consultant credentials, understanding the importance of consultations is especially important.

No, they’re not just a formality.

These consultations are designed to make sure you develop the clinical judgment necessary for advanced EMDR practice.

During the certification process, your consultant will evaluate not just your technical skills, but your ability to:

• Assess client readiness for EMDR work
• Adapt protocols for different presentations
• Handle unexpected developments during processing
• Meet all expected EMDR competency areas
• Make sound ethical decisions under pressure

The consultation requirements become even more intensive if you’re pursuing Approved Consultant status. In this case, you'll need to demonstrate mastery of consultation skills necessary to guide other practitioners (not just EMDR techniques).

This pathway helps to ensure EMDR Approved Consultants have the experience and judgment necessary to maintain the field's professional standards.

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Finding Quality EMDR Consultation

At this point, you’re probably wondering:

“How do I find the right consultant?”

It’s a good question.

Not all consultation is created equal!

When looking for EMDR consultation, here’s what you should keep in mind to ensure you’re getting quality supervision:

EMDRIA Approved Consultant status: This ensures your consultant has met EMDRIA's standards for consultation competence and maintains current knowledge of best practices.

Relevant clinical experience: Your consultant should have experience with the populations and applications you're working with, whether that's complex trauma, specific demographics, or specialized EMDR applications.

Structured approach to supervision: Quality consultants use systematic approaches to case review and professional development, not just informal discussion.

Commitment to your development: The best consultants are invested in your growth as a practitioner and will provide honest feedback about your strengths and areas for improvement.

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​Consultation as Professional Investment

Here's how I encourage therapists to think about consultation:

It's not an expense, it's an investment in your professional development and client outcomes.

Regular consultation makes you a more effective EMDR practitioner, helps you handle complex cases with greater confidence, reduces the risk of clinical errors, and keeps you connected to the broader EMDR community.

It also can provide business benefits.

Clients are increasingly seeking out EMDR Certified Therapists, and higher level credentials can help differentiate your practice in the market.

Most importantly, consultation helps maintain the ethical foundation that makes EMDR work possible. When you commit to ongoing professional oversight, you show respect for your clients and for the field itself.

Are you currently receiving regular EMDR consultation?

And if you're working toward certification, have you connected with an Approved Consultant yet?

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Until next week,

Chris

P.S. If you're looking to connect with other EMDR practitioners who take professional development seriously, I'm building a tech enablement platform for therapists focused on advancing their EMDR practice and supporting each other's growth. We aim to provide consultation matching, a private directory marketed to high-stakes professionals, support you in exploring advanced applications, and maintain the high standards our field deserves. If you're interested in joining the pilot before it launches, a curated group of committed EMDR professionals, click here to apply.