How Much Is EMDR Training?

by Tim Cassidy, MBA, MA, LPC | Apr 8, 2026 | Educational

EMDR training can look straightforward until the pricing starts. Some programs charge one training fee up front, then add consultation hours, travel, missed work time, and renewal costs later.

That is why the better question is not just: “How much is EMDR training online?”. It is – “What does the price actually include?

Quick Answer on EMDR Training Cost (Online CE Credits Price Ladder)

What “EMDR Training” Can Mean (and Why Prices Vary So Much)

EMDR training can mean a short CE course, a structured certificate, or a longer live basic EMDR training path with didactic training, “supervised” practice, and separate consultation hours.

Those are not the same product, especially for clinicians treating PTSD who need to look closely at format, consultation, and real clinical support.

A lot of higher-cost programs are built as live cohorts and may charge separately for consultation, travel, or rescheduling. Pricing for OCC EMDR on the market often lands around $3,000 to $5,000 once those pieces are counted.

Read more: CEUS Cost in 2026

Which Online CE Credits Option Fits Best?

The best choice depends on how much depth the clinician wants right now and how quickly they want to start applying EMDR more confidently in practice.

• “I need an affordable starting point.”
  A single self-paced CE course works well for counselors, social workers, and LMFT’s, and psychologists who want focused learning without committing to a full certificate right away.
• “I want core skills and more structure.”
  The 23-CE Certificate in EMDR Therapy Skills is a better fit for clinicians who want a guided training path, stronger foundations, and a more affordable comprehensive EMDR certification path with consultation included.
• “I want advanced competency work.”
  The 32-CE Certificate in Advanced EMDR Therapy Skills makes more sense for therapists who want deeper work around complexity, protocol adaptation, and cases involving dissociative disorders. It also provides for a full certification pathway to receive a post-nominal credential.

One thing that separates the two certificate options from a single course is consultation. Both certificates include up to four 1-hour group consultation sessions, which give therapists added support as they start applying what they learn in real clinical work. Ongoing consultation on the platform is available for a nominal hourly registration fee.

What You Get for the Price at Online CE Credits

We also offer a 24-hour money-back guarantee for fully paid individual courses and certificates, with conditions, plus a 30-day CE denial refund promise if a board denies a CE certificate and the learner provides documentation.

Typical EMDR Training Tuition vs Online CE Credits

We found one approved basic training priced at $995 to $1,235 with consultation included. Another lists $1,395 to $1,895.

Those are useful benchmarks, but they usually refer to live basic trainings, not the same kind of structure as CE-based skills training.

How to compare fairly:

• Is consultation included, or added later?
• Are there enough consultation hours for real case support?
• Is the program self-paced, or does it require travel and time off?
• Is there a renewal fee later or additional recertification requirements?
• Does the training fee include the kind of support needed for supervised practice?

At Online CE Credits, therapists can choose a self-paced course, a structured certificate, or a more advanced certificate path, then see the price, CE hours, and consultation support more clearly before enrolling.

FAQs

How much does it cost to get certified in EMDR?

It depends on the path. At Online CE Credits, certificate tracks run $690 or $999, and both offer an optional credential path through Mind Works Continuing Education, LLC at no added certification cost after program completion.

Why is EMDR training so expensive?

Some programs cost more because the price does not stop with the first training. Therapists may also have to pay for consultation, membership, recertification, and added courses over time. Online CE Credits does not use that model.

How long does it take to be EMDR certified?

That depends on the program and the clinician’s pace. A common benchmark is under 18 months, though some EMDR certification paths allow up to 5 years to finish all requirements.

Is it worth being EMDR certified?

For many trauma-focused clinicians, yes, EMDR is worth it. It can strengthen clinical skills, build trust with clients, and make a therapist more competitive for referrals, advanced roles, or private practice growth.

Do EMDR therapists get paid more?

Sometimes, but there is no fixed pay bump. Extra specialization may help with referrals or niche positioning in private practice.

Can you learn EMDR without a degree?

Not in the way most clinicians assume. EMDR training is generally built for licensed or license-track mental health professionals, not for people outside the field.

Are EMDR therapists in demand?

Complex trauma care is in demand, and the larger mental health workforce is growing, too. Mental health counselor jobs are projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average.

Does Online CE Credits EMDR training include consultation?

Yes. Both EMDR certificate tracks include consultation access, and the Essentials membership includes all live consultation events during the membership term.

What is your refund or guarantee policy for EMDR training?

Online CE Credits offers a 24-hour money-back guarantee for fully paid individual courses and certificates, plus a 30-day CE denial refund promise with documentation.

Boost Your Skills: Continuing Education Opportunities for School Counselors

by Jennifer Sweeton, PsyD, JD, MS, MA | Oct 20, 2024 | Educational

School counselors are expected to handle far more than academic scheduling and college applications.

Today, you may be helping one student manage anxiety, supporting another through a family crisis, responding to bullying, collaborating with teachers, speaking with concerned parents, and helping graduating students plan what comes next—all in the same week.

That makes ongoing professional development especially important.

Continuing education for school counselors can help you strengthen your counseling skills, stay current with emerging student mental health concerns, meet applicable professional requirements, and gain practical strategies you can use in your school setting.

Whether you are looking for online CE courses, trying to understand your renewal requirements, or simply deciding which areas of training are worth prioritizing, the right continuing education can make your work more effective and more manageable.

Why Do School Counselors Need Continuing Education?

Graduate training provides the foundation for becoming a school counselor, but the profession does not stand still.

Student mental health needs change. New research emerges. School policies evolve. Technology creates new challenges. Conversations around trauma, neurodiversity, cultural competence, suicide prevention, social media, and student safety continue to develop.

Continuing education helps school counselors keep pace with those changes.

Depending on your role and credential, continuing education may also be part of maintaining your school counseling certification, professional license, or another credential you hold.

More importantly, high-quality training gives you practical tools you can use with students.

A course on trauma-informed care, for example, may help you recognize how trauma affects behavior and academic performance. Training in motivational interviewing may improve conversations with students who feel stuck or disengaged. Crisis intervention training can help you respond more confidently when a student presents with an urgent mental health concern.

The goal should not be to collect hours simply for the sake of renewal. The best continuing education strengthens the skills you rely on every day.

How Many Continuing Education Hours Do School Counselors Need?

There is no single continuing education requirement that applies to every school counselor in the United States.

The number of hours you need depends on factors such as:

• Your state
• Your school counselor credential
• Your renewal cycle
• The agency responsible for certification or licensure
• Any additional professional licenses you hold

Some states require school counselors to complete a set number of professional development or continuing education hours during each renewal period. Others may require training in particular topics.

These requirements can include areas such as:

• Ethics
• Student mental health
• Suicide prevention
• Trauma-informed care
• Cultural competence
• Child abuse reporting
• Crisis intervention
• School safety
• Other state-specific professional development

If you hold another clinical credential in addition to your school counseling certification, you may also have a separate set of continuing education requirements.

For example, a school counselor who is also licensed as an LPC, LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, or another mental health professional may need to satisfy the renewal requirements associated with that license as well.

Before enrolling in a course, verify:

• How many hours you need
• When your credential renews
• Whether particular subjects are mandatory
• Which course formats are accepted
• Whether the CE provider is accepted for your credential
• What documentation you need to keep

This is especially important because continuing education rules vary by state and can change over time.

Keeping copies of your certificates of completion can also make the renewal process much easier when it is time to document your training.

Staying Current on Student Mental Health

Mental health has become one of the most important parts of school counseling.

Students may struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, family instability, social pressure, loneliness, bullying, substance use, academic stress, or other concerns that affect both emotional well-being and school performance.

School counselors are often among the first adults to notice when something has changed.

Continuing education in student mental health can help you strengthen your ability to recognize concerns, communicate effectively with students, provide appropriate support within your role, and identify when additional intervention or referral may be necessary.

Training may cover topics such as:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Trauma
• Emotional regulation
• ADHD
• Autism and neurodiversity
• Substance use
• Grief and loss
• Self-harm and suicide risk
• Stress management

School counselors who regularly support neurodivergent students may also benefit from additional training in ADHD treatment for kids and teens, particularly around executive functioning, emotional regulation, and family support.

Courses in therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can also help counselors better understand evidence-based strategies that may be useful when supporting students.

The more familiar you are with common mental health concerns, the easier it becomes to recognize patterns and respond thoughtfully rather than relying solely on instinct.

Strengthening Crisis Intervention Skills

Few situations in school counseling carry more responsibility than helping a student who is in crisis.

A student may disclose suicidal thoughts, self-harm, abuse, bullying, violence, family trauma, or the sudden loss of someone close to them.

These situations require calm decision-making, clear communication, and an understanding of school policies and professional responsibilities.

Continuing education focused on crisis intervention can help school counselors develop stronger skills in areas such as:

• Recognizing warning signs
• Suicide prevention
• Risk assessment
• De-escalation
• Trauma response
• Grief support
• Responding to bullying
• Coordinating with families and other professionals
• Supporting students after a crisis

Some training programs also use case studies or simulated scenarios to help counselors think through how they would respond in difficult situations.

Crisis training does not eliminate the pressure of these moments, but preparation can help you make decisions more confidently when a student needs immediate support.

Building Better Communication Skills

Communication sits at the center of almost everything a school counselor does.

You communicate with students who may not know how to explain what they are feeling. You speak with parents who may be worried or frustrated. You collaborate with teachers, administrators, psychologists, social workers, and other professionals.

Those conversations are not always easy.

Continuing education can help strengthen skills such as:

• Active listening
• Asking better questions
• Delivering constructive feedback
• Managing conflict
• De-escalating emotional conversations
• Communicating with parents
• Working collaboratively with teachers
• Maintaining professional boundaries

Training in motivational interviewing can be particularly useful for school counselors who want stronger tools for helping students explore ambivalence and motivation.

Rather than simply telling students what they should do, motivational interviewing emphasizes helping them explore their own reasons for making a change.

This can be valuable when working with students struggling with attendance, academics, substance use, motivation, or major decisions about their future.

Enhancing Cultural Competence

Schools bring together students from different cultures, identities, family structures, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and communities.

Effective school counseling requires an understanding that students may experience school, relationships, authority, stress, and mental health very differently.

Continuing education in cultural competence can help counselors examine how these differences influence communication and student experiences.

Training may address topics such as:

• Race and ethnicity
• Socioeconomic inequality
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Disability
• Family and community values
• Bias
• Access to mental health support

Cultural competence is not about memorizing characteristics of different groups.

It is about becoming better at listening, asking thoughtful questions, recognizing your own assumptions, and understanding the context surrounding each student’s experience.

When students feel understood and respected, they may be more willing to seek help and participate openly in counseling.

Supporting Students With Trauma

Trauma can affect behavior, relationships, concentration, emotional regulation, attendance, and academic performance.

For school counselors, understanding trauma can therefore be valuable even when trauma treatment itself falls outside the counselor’s role.

Trauma-informed continuing education can help counselors recognize how difficult experiences may influence the way a student responds to school.

Training may cover:

• Childhood trauma
• Family instability
• Abuse and neglect
• Community violence
• Grief
• Adverse childhood experiences
• Emotional regulation
• Trauma-sensitive communication

A trauma-informed approach encourages counselors to look beyond the immediate behavior and consider what may be contributing to it.

That shift can help schools respond to struggling students with greater understanding while still maintaining appropriate boundaries and expectations.

Learning More About College and Career Readiness

Mental health is only one part of school counseling.

For many counselors, particularly at the high school level, college and career readiness remains a major responsibility.

Students may need help understanding:

• College applications
• Financial aid
• Scholarships
• Career pathways
• Vocational training
• Trade programs
• Workforce opportunities
• Academic planning

The education and employment landscape changes frequently.

Continuing education focused on career development can help counselors stay current on new resources, planning strategies, and pathways available to students.

It can also help you work with students who are unsure whether college is right for them.

Effective career counseling is not about pushing every student toward the same destination. It is about helping students understand their strengths, options, priorities, and realistic next steps.

What Continuing Education Courses Are Best for School Counselors?

The best continuing education courses are usually the ones that address the situations you actually encounter in your work.

Useful topics for school counselors may include ethics continuing education, professional boundaries, crisis intervention, cultural competence, trauma, student mental health, and other areas that reflect the challenges you regularly encounter in a school setting.

Useful topics for school counselors may include:

• Child and adolescent mental health
• Trauma-informed counseling
• Anxiety and depression
• Suicide prevention
• Crisis intervention
• ADHD and neurodiversity
• Ethics
• Professional boundaries
• Bullying and school violence
• Substance use
• Cultural competence
• Grief and loss
• Motivational interviewing
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Family dynamics

Your priorities may also depend on the age group you serve.

Elementary school counselors may benefit from additional training in child development, emotional regulation, behavioral concerns, play-based approaches, and family systems.

Middle school counselors may encounter more issues related to identity, peer relationships, bullying, social media, emotional regulation, and early mental health concerns.

High school counselors may prioritize adolescent mental health, substance use, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, career planning, and helping students transition into adulthood.

The strongest continuing education plan is therefore usually personalized rather than based on a generic list of courses.

What Should You Look for in an Online School Counselor CE Course?

There are thousands of online professional development courses available, but they are not all equally useful.

Before enrolling, look for clear information about:

• The number of CE or contact hours available
• Whether you receive a certificate of completion
• Instructor credentials
• Course learning objectives
• Whether the provider is accepted for your credential
• Course format
• Access period
• Practical relevance to your work
• Whether the training teaches usable skills

Course format matters too.

Some counselors prefer live webinars because they enjoy interacting with instructors and other professionals.

Others prefer self-paced courses because they can complete them around their school schedule.

Neither format is automatically better. What matters is finding high-quality training that fits your learning style and professional requirements.

Online CE can be particularly useful for busy school counselors because it allows you to complete training without traveling or giving up an entire day to attend an in-person seminar.

Continuing Education in a Flexible Format

Time is one of the biggest barriers to professional development.

School counselors frequently manage large caseloads, meetings, administrative responsibilities, parent communication, student emergencies, academic planning, and school-wide programming.

Finding several uninterrupted hours for training is not always realistic.

That is why online and self-paced continuing education has become increasingly useful.

Depending on the program, you may be able to:

• Complete training from home
• Learn at your own pace
• Pause and return later
• Choose shorter courses for specific skills
• Complete longer certificate programs
• Access training without traveling

This flexibility allows continuing education to fit around your existing responsibilities rather than competing with them.

For counselors who enjoy deeper professional development, online training can also make it easier to explore subjects beyond the minimum required for renewal.

How to Choose the Right Continuing Education Program

Start by asking what you actually want to improve.

Are students frequently coming to you with anxiety?

Do you want stronger crisis intervention skills?

Are you seeing more students with ADHD or other neurodevelopmental concerns?

Do you want to become more comfortable discussing trauma?

Are difficult conversations with families becoming more common?

Once you identify the areas where additional training would make the greatest difference, choosing courses becomes much easier.

You should also consider:

• Your renewal requirements
• Your preferred learning format
• Available time
• Course cost
• Instructor expertise
• Provider credibility
• How directly the training relates to your work

The most valuable continuing education often comes from courses that help solve a problem you are currently encountering in practice.

At Online CE Credits, you can explore online CE courses for mental health professionals across trauma, ADHD, anxiety, ethics, cognitive therapies, cultural competence, and other areas relevant to professional development.

It is also worth thinking beyond the minimum number of hours you need.

School counselors who also hold eligible mental health credentials can explore courses across topics such as trauma, ADHD, anxiety, ethics, therapeutic approaches, and other areas that may support their professional development.

Always verify that a particular course meets the requirements for your individual credential before enrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Continuing Education for School Counselors

Do school counselors need continuing education credits?

Many school counselors are required to complete continuing education or professional development to maintain their certification or credential.

The exact requirement depends on the state and credential involved.

Always verify current renewal rules with the agency responsible for your certification or license.

How many CEUs do school counselors need for renewal?

There is no single nationwide CEU requirement for school counselors.

The number of required hours, renewal cycle, accepted providers, and required training topics can vary from state to state.

Check your state’s current school counselor certification or licensing requirements before choosing courses.

Can school counselors earn CEUs online?

In many cases, yes.

School counselors may be able to complete continuing education through online courses, webinars, or self-paced programs.

However, rules regarding acceptable course formats and providers vary, so confirm that an online course will count toward your specific credential before enrolling.

What types of continuing education courses count for school counselors?

Accepted topics depend on your credential and state requirements.

Relevant training may include student mental health, ethics, trauma, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, cultural competence, child development, counseling techniques, substance use, and other subjects related to professional school counseling.

Do continuing education requirements for school counselors vary by state?

Yes.

School counselor certification and renewal requirements are set at the state level, which means required hours, accepted training, renewal periods, and mandatory topics can differ considerably.

Always use your state’s current requirements as the final authority.

Can mental health CE courses count toward school counselor continuing education requirements?

They may.

Mental health courses covering topics such as anxiety, trauma, depression, ADHD, ethics, crisis intervention, or counseling techniques can be professionally relevant to school counselors.

Whether they satisfy a formal renewal requirement depends on your credential and state rules.

Do school counselors need ethics continuing education?

Some states or credentials require specific ethics training, while others do not.

Check the requirements associated with your individual school counseling certification and any additional professional licenses you hold.

What is the difference between CEUs, contact hours, and professional development hours?

These terms are sometimes used casually as though they mean the same thing, but licensing and certification authorities may define them differently.

A contact hour generally refers to a specific amount of instructional time. CEUs may be calculated differently depending on the organization or credential, while professional development hours can include a broader range of approved educational activities.

Use the definitions provided by the organization responsible for renewing your credential.

How Much Do Continuing Education Credits Cost?

by Tim Cassidy, MBA, MA, LPC | Sep 28, 2026 | Educational

A $30 CE course may seem affordable until a license renewal requires 20, 30, or even 40 hours. Add live training, travel, materials, or certificate fees, and the total can climb quickly.

Here are the current 2026 prices, so professionals can estimate their likely expenses before choosing a course or membership.

What Continuing Education Credits Really Cost

Most online continuing education costs between $25 and $150 per credit hour.

Annual subscriptions usually cost $200 to $600. Advanced certificate or certification-track programs are much larger investments, sometimes reaching $2,000 to $8,000.

The average cost of continuing education credits is difficult to pin down because professions count learning differently. Providers also set their own prices.

A useful CE credit cost per hour estimate starts with the required CE credits, then adds materials and travel.

These are planning ranges. Free CE, course bundles, employer benefits, and memberships can lower the actual cost considerably.

CE Costs by Profession: What You’ll Pay in Your Field

Licensing boards set the required hours, while course format usually has the biggest effect on price.

After multiplying hours by the provider’s rate, professionals should check required subjects and delivery rules.

Mental Health and Behavioral Health Professionals

Many counselors, social workers, and psychologists complete about 20 to 45 hours during each renewal cycle. Requirements can still fall outside that range, as the APA’s current state table shows.

At $25 to $150 per credit hour, a 20-to-45-hour cycle would cost $500 to $6,750. That is a broad planning range, and bundles or memberships can bring the actual total down sharply.

Nursing and Healthcare

Nurses commonly need 20 to 30 contact hours over about two years. Texas requires 20 hours, while California requires 30 hours.

The terminology also changes by field. Continuing Medical Education (CME) usually serves physicians, while Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) serves nurses.

The cost of CME credits varies by specialty, format, and employer support.

Real Estate

Real estate professionals generally need 14 to 22.5 CE hours every two years, including 14 hours in Florida, 18 in Texas, and 22.5 in New York. At $25 to $150 per hour, that works out to $350 to $3,375, although state packages often cost much less.

Accounting and Finance

Many CPAs complete 40 CPE hours annually or 120 hours across three years under NASBA’s model rules, which also include technical and ethics requirements. Employer and association programs may reduce the cost of CPE credits.

Trade and License-Specific CE Costs

Trade CE is often shorter and less expensive: Texas electricians complete four hours, while Texas tow operators also need four hours, with some approved courses starting near $40. Private security requirements vary by state and may cover law, ethics, firearms, arrest authority, or alarm work.

Average Cost of CE Credits by Format: Online, Live, and University

Online CE is usually cheapest because it removes classroom, hotel, and travel expenses. Courses often cost $25 to $150 per credit hour, while CE bundles may drop below $10 to $15 per credit.

Live workshops cost more because they require facilities, instructors, and scheduled attendance. A multi-day conference may total $800 to $3,000 after registration, travel, lodging, and meals.

University courses belong in a different price category because students receive academic credit. College Board’s 2025-26 figures work out to about $138 per credit at public two-year colleges and $398 at public four-year universities, assuming 30 yearly credits. State averages vary widely, and the highest-cost public systems can exceed $600 per credit.

When comparing live versus on-demand CEUs, professionals should also consider scheduling needs and board rules.

Per-Course vs. Subscription CE: Which Costs Less Over a Renewal Cycle

Paying per course usually makes sense for a few credits. A subscription often provides better value when several courses are needed.

The math is straightforward: multiply the remaining hours by the provider’s per-credit price.

If that amount exceeds the CE subscription cost, a $200 to $600 annual plan may cost less.

Our Essentials CE membership plan costs $45 monthly for 12 months, or $495 as a single payment. Eligible courses, live webinars, and consultation events are included.

Advanced certificate and certification-track programs can cost $2,000 to $8,000. Because they provide deeper, sequenced training, they are not directly comparable with one CE course or a renewal membership.

What Else Changes the Price: Provider Type and Specialization

Provider type affects the starting price, while specialization often determines how much the price increases. Universities usually cost more because their education programs may award academic credit and require formal instruction, faculty oversight, and assessments.

Professional associations and training companies focus on practical CE courses, so prices may be lower. Advanced instruction and assessment explain why some certification models cost more than general courses.

Employer reimbursement can change the total again. Some employers cover course fees, materials, travel, or certificate costs. Professionals should ask whether benefits include materials, travel, and certificate fees.

CEU vs. Credit Hour: Why the Terms Affect What You’re Paying For

A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and an academic credit hour measure two different things.

Under the IACET definition, one CEU equals 10 contact hours in an organized education program. That means one contact hour equals 0.1 CEU under the IACET standard.

However, many continuing education providers use CE, CEU, and contact hours differently. Academic credit belongs to university coursework and follows a separate pricing model.

Before comparing prices, professionals should confirm which unit their specific board accepts.

We also have a full guide on how CEUs, CEs, and contact hours actually convert.

Is the Cost of CE Credits Worth It?

Yes. Approved CE is generally worthwhile when it supports license renewal and strengthens current practice skills. The return may include clearer regulations, stronger decisions, and better client service.

A 2020 global learner survey found that 87% of career-motivated learners reported a career benefit.

Before You Pay: Questions to Ask a CE Provider

• Is the price per credit, per course, or a flat subscription rate?

• What happens if all available credits are not used before access ends?

• Does the provider’s approval cover this specific license and state board?

• Does the price include materials, the completion certificate, and retake access?

• Are there additional charges for reporting, shipping, exams, or live attendance?

• What refund or grace-period policy applies after cancellation or a missed deadline?

How Online CE Credits Can Help

Online CE Credits is a therapist-owned continuing education platform created for busy mental health professionals. We offer more than 250 on-demand courses, live webinars, and focused certificate programs covering trauma, ethics, anxiety, ADHD, neuroscience, and other clinical areas.

Our standard individual-course rate is $30 per CE hour. However, affordability is only part of the value. These are skills-based, transformative clinical trainings designed to strengthen real clinical work, rather than check-the-box hours. Many courses include demonstrations, worksheets, scripts, and practical interventions clinicians can use with clients.

We also offer several ways to access training because clinicians have different goals and budgets. They can purchase individual courses, save through course bundles, or join the Essentials CE membership for ongoing live webinars, consultation events, and access to the core home-study library. Clinicians who want to develop deeper knowledge in one specialty can choose a structured certificate program.

This tiered approach gives clinicians the freedom to pay for the level of education they need right now. They can complete a few renewal hours, build an affordable learning plan, or invest in deeper specialty training as their practice grows.

Courses can be completed on a flexible schedule, and signed PDF completion certificates are available immediately after completion. Online CE Credits also maintains national provider approval through NBCC and ASWB, although licensing boards remain the final authority.

Find the CE option that fits your practice and budget. Browse all online CE courses and compare topics, prices, and credit hours.

Looking to save more? See this month’s featured CE deal and view the course currently on promotion.

FAQs

Do continuing education credits cost money?

Yes. Most courses charge a fee, although employers, associations, universities, and selected providers offer free CE. The course must still meet board requirements.

How much do CE courses typically cost per credit hour?

Online courses may cost $25 to $150 per credit, while bundles can drop below $10 to $15. Memberships can reduce how much continuing education courses cost across several credits.

How many CEUs equal 1 credit hour?

Under the IACET standard, one CEU equals 10 contact hours. Therefore, one contact hour equals 0.1 CEU. Licensing boards may define these terms differently, so their rules control.

Where can I find free or low-cost CE credits?

Usually through employers, associations, universities, and online providers. Online CE Credits gives new subscribers a $100 coupon toward one on-demand course. Current clinical mental health students can also apply for 50% off CE courses and live webinars.

Are continuing education expenses tax deductible?

Yes, sometimes CE courses are tax deductible. The IRS says education must maintain current job skills or meet an employer or legal requirement. It cannot qualify someone for a new trade. Self-employed professionals may deduct eligible expenses, while most employees cannot claim a general itemized deduction.

Is a CEU the same as a college credit hour?

No. CEUs measure noncredit professional learning, while college credits apply to academic courses. One CEU does not automatically convert into college credit.

Unlock Professional Growth in Social Work with Targeted Supervision CEUs

by Tim Cassidy, MBA, MA, LPC | Aug 20, 2024 | Educational

Clinical Supervision CEUs for Social Workers: Requirements, Training & Courses

Clinical supervision is more than reviewing cases or signing off on hours. Social work supervisors are responsible for helping supervisees develop clinical judgment, practice ethically, maintain appropriate boundaries, document their work, and respond to difficult situations.

That is why some licensing boards require supervisors to complete continuing education specifically related to supervision.

If you are currently supervising social workers—or preparing to become an approved clinical supervisor—social work supervision CEUs can help you strengthen those skills while meeting applicable continuing education requirements.

Requirements vary considerably by state, so the first step is understanding what your licensing board actually requires.

What Are Social Work Supervision CEUs?

Social work supervision CEUs are continuing education courses focused specifically on the knowledge and skills needed to supervise other social workers.

Depending on the course, supervision training may address:

• Clinical supervision models
• Supervisor and supervisee responsibilities
• Ethics and professional boundaries
• Documentation
• Evaluation and feedback
• Liability and risk management
• Cultural competence
• Conflict resolution
• Telehealth supervision
• Scope of practice
• Gatekeeping and competency
• Managing difficult supervisory situations

The terms CEUs, CE credits, CE hours, and continuing education hours are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but your licensing board may define them differently. Always follow the terminology and calculation method used by your board.

If you are an LCSW looking for broader renewal information, see our LCSW continuing education guide.

Do Social Work Supervisors Need Continuing Education?

Some do.

Supervision requirements are established by individual state licensing boards rather than by one national rule.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) reported in its 2024 comparison of clinical social work supervisor requirements that 19 jurisdictions had continuing education requirements specifically for clinical supervisors. Requirements differed in both the number of hours and how often those hours had to be completed.

That means becoming or remaining an approved clinical supervisor may require additional training beyond the general CE hours you already complete for social work license renewal.

Your state may require supervision education:

• Before becoming an approved supervisor
• During each license renewal period
• Every several years
• As part of an initial supervision training requirement
• In a particular subject area related to clinical supervision

Other jurisdictions may not require separate supervisor CE at all.

Before enrolling, check your social work continuing education requirements by state and confirm current supervision rules directly with your licensing board.

How Many Supervision CEUs Do Social Workers Need?

There is no universal number of supervision CEUs required for social workers.

Requirements depend on your jurisdiction, license level, supervisor status, and renewal cycle.

For example, some jurisdictions require only a few hours of supervision-specific continuing education during a renewal period, while others require more substantial initial supervisor training or recurring education.

According to ASWB’s comparison of clinical supervisor requirements, jurisdictions with supervision-specific CE requirements vary considerably in how those requirements are structured.

Before choosing a course, verify:

• How many supervision hours you need
• Whether the requirement is one-time or recurring
• Your renewal deadline
• Whether online training is accepted
• Whether asynchronous courses are accepted
• Whether live or interactive training is required
• What topics qualify as supervision education
• Which CE providers your board accepts

Do not assume that a course counts simply because “clinical supervision” appears in its title. Your licensing board has final authority over what satisfies your requirement.

What Counts as Clinical Supervision Continuing Education?

A qualifying supervision course should focus substantially on the responsibilities, skills, ethics, and practice of supervising other professionals.

Depending on state rules, acceptable topics may include:

• Models and theories of clinical supervision
• Developing supervision plans
• Supervisor-supervisee relationships
• Evaluation of supervisee competency
• Giving corrective feedback
• Ethical decision-making
• Professional boundaries
• Documentation requirements
• Supervisor liability
• Cultural responsiveness in supervision
• Managing impairment or competency concerns
• Telehealth and remote supervision
• Confidentiality
• Scope of practice
• Crisis and risk management
• Supervisory conflicts

General clinical courses are not automatically supervision courses.

For example, a three-hour trauma treatment course may count toward your general clinical CE requirement but may not satisfy a board requirement for three hours specifically in supervision.

That distinction is important when you are planning your renewal.

What Should Social Work Supervision Training Cover?

Strong supervision training should prepare you for the situations that make supervision difficult—not simply review definitions.

Ethics and Professional Responsibilities

Supervisors have responsibilities to supervisees, clients, employers, licensing boards, and the profession.

Training should address issues such as confidentiality, informed consent, documentation, boundaries, competence, dual relationships, scope of practice, and handling potential ethical violations.

If ethics hours are also part of your renewal requirements, explore ethics CE courses for mental health professionals.

Evaluation and Feedback

Clinical supervisors must be able to identify strengths as well as areas where a supervisee needs further development.

Effective supervision training should cover:

• Setting expectations
• Assessing competency
• Giving actionable feedback
• Documenting progress
• Responding to recurring problems
• Developing remediation plans when necessary

Avoiding difficult feedback may feel easier in the short term, but it undermines one of the supervisor’s most important functions.

Legal and Risk Management Issues

Clinical supervision can create additional professional responsibilities.

Supervisors should understand the regulations governing supervision in their jurisdiction, documentation expectations, reporting requirements, and circumstances that may create ethical or legal risk.

Because these rules are state-specific, CE training should supplement—not replace—reviewing your board’s current regulations.

Cultural Responsiveness

A supervisee’s background, identity, worldview, and professional experiences can influence the supervisory relationship just as these factors influence clinical work.

Supervisors should be able to discuss culture, identity, bias, power, and differences without treating cultural competence as a one-time checklist.

Social workers looking to strengthen this area can also explore additional training in cultural competence.

Telehealth and Remote Supervision

Remote clinical supervision creates its own ethical and practical questions.

Supervisors may need to consider privacy, technology, emergency procedures, jurisdictional rules, recordkeeping, and whether remote supervision satisfies their board’s requirements.

Our course on Ethical Practice in the Delivery of Telehealth Clinical Supervision focuses specifically on ethical issues involved in providing clinical supervision through telehealth and currently provides three ethics continuing education credits for social workers.

What Are the Three Main Types of Social Work Supervision?

The NASW and ASWB Best Practice Standards in Social Work Supervision describe three primary supervision functions: administrative, educational, and supportive supervision.

Administrative Supervision

Administrative supervision focuses on how a social worker performs within an organization.

This can include:

• Agency policies
• Caseload management
• Documentation
• Productivity
• Compliance
• Job performance
• Organizational procedures

The goal is to make sure services are delivered effectively and in accordance with agency expectations.

Educational Supervision

Educational supervision focuses on developing the supervisee’s professional knowledge and clinical skills.

This may involve:

• Reviewing cases
• Strengthening assessment skills
• Treatment planning
• Improving interventions
• Ethical problem-solving
• Applying theory to practice
• Developing clinical judgment

For clinicians working toward independent licensure, this is often one of the most visible parts of supervision.

Supportive Supervision

Social work can expose clinicians to heavy caseloads, complex client needs, crisis work, vicarious trauma, and emotionally demanding situations.

Supportive supervision creates space to identify how those pressures are affecting professional practice.

Its purpose is not therapy for the supervisee. Rather, it supports professional functioning, resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to continue practicing effectively.

Good clinical supervision often includes elements of all three functions rather than treating them as completely separate activities.

Can Social Workers Earn Supervision CEUs Online?

Often, yes—but your board determines which formats it accepts.

Online clinical supervision training may be available as:

• Self-paced recorded courses
• Live interactive webinars
• Virtual workshops
• Multi-session training programs

Self-paced courses can work well for social workers who need flexibility, while live programs may be useful when a board requires interactive training or when you want opportunities to ask questions.

Online CE Credits offers both on-demand CE courses and live CE webinars for mental health professionals.

Before registering, check whether your board distinguishes between home-study, asynchronous, synchronous, or live continuing education.

How Do You Choose the Right Social Work Supervision CEU Course?

Start with your licensing requirements, not the course title.

1. Check Your State Requirements

Determine whether you actually need supervision-specific continuing education and how many hours are required.

Use our state CE requirements pages as a starting point, then confirm current rules with your licensing board.

2. Verify the CE Provider

Check whether your board recognizes the provider or approval organization.

Online CE Credits, operating as Mind Works Professional Education, Inc., is an ASWB Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Provider #1974. Regulatory boards remain the final authority on whether individual courses meet a licensee’s requirements.

You can review our current CE approvals before enrolling.

3. Confirm the Credit Category

If you specifically need supervision CE, confirm that the course qualifies for that requirement.

Do not assume general ethics or clinical CE will automatically satisfy a supervision-specific mandate.

4. Check the Delivery Format

If your state requires live or interactive education, an asynchronous recorded course may not satisfy that portion of the requirement.

Likewise, if home-study CE is permitted, self-paced courses may be a much more convenient option.

5. Choose Training You Can Use

Meeting your renewal requirement matters, but good supervision CE should also improve the way you supervise.

Prioritize courses that address situations you actually encounter, such as:

• Ethical conflicts
• Remote supervision
• Difficult feedback
• Boundary concerns
• Documentation
• Supervisee competence
• Cultural differences
• Risk management

That gives you more value than simply selecting the shortest available course.

Social Work Supervision CEUs and Ethics

Ethics and supervision are closely connected.

Supervisors help shape how less-experienced clinicians understand professional responsibility, boundaries, documentation, client welfare, and scope of practice.

Ethical problems in supervision can include:

• Inadequate oversight
• Poor documentation
• Unclear roles
• Conflicts of interest
• Dual relationships
• Confidentiality issues
• Failure to address supervisee impairment
• Allowing practice outside the supervisee’s competence
• Problems with remote supervision
• Inadequate evaluation or feedback

For that reason, ethics-focused supervision training can be particularly useful for experienced clinicians taking on supervisory responsibilities.

Explore our ethics CEU courses or browse the complete online CE course library.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Supervision CEUs

Are supervision CEUs required for LCSWs?

They may be required if you serve as a clinical supervisor, but requirements vary by jurisdiction. Some states require supervision-specific continuing education for approved supervisors, while others do not. Check your licensing board’s current requirements.

How many supervision CEUs does an LCSW need?

There is no nationwide requirement. The number of supervision CE hours depends on the state, type of license, supervisor designation, and renewal cycle.

Can I complete social work supervision CEUs online?

Many licensing boards permit online continuing education, but rules around asynchronous, home-study, and live interactive training vary. Confirm the accepted format with your state board before registering.

Does an ethics CE course count as supervision CE?

Not automatically. An ethics course may satisfy an ethics requirement without satisfying a separate supervision requirement. A course addressing ethics specifically within clinical supervision may qualify for both in some jurisdictions, but your board determines acceptance.

Do I need supervision training before supervising social workers?

Some jurisdictions require formal supervisor training or specific qualifications before a social worker can provide clinical supervision toward licensure. Others use different eligibility requirements. Review your state’s regulations before agreeing to provide supervision.

What topics should a clinical supervision course include?

Useful topics include supervision models, ethics, boundaries, competency assessment, documentation, feedback, cultural responsiveness, liability, telehealth supervision, and managing difficult supervisory situations.

Do supervision CEUs also count toward my regular social work CE requirements?

They may. Some jurisdictions allow supervision education to count toward the overall CE requirement while also satisfying a supervision-specific requirement. Others structure categories differently. Verify this with your licensing board.

Find Online CE Courses for Social Workers

If you need supervision training or are planning your next license renewal, start by identifying exactly what your state requires.

Online CE Credits provides continuing education for Licensed Clinical Social Workers, including clinical, ethics, cultural competence, and other professional training.

You can browse all online CE courses or check your state social work CE requirements before choosing your next course.

Always verify that the specific course, credit type, and delivery format meet the requirements of your licensing board.

EMDR vs Somatic Therapy

by Tim Cassidy, MBA, MA, LPC | Aug 26, 2025 | Educational

Some clients feel better when they talk things through. Others feel stuck no matter what they say. In trauma work, talk alone is not always enough. That is where body-based and brain-based therapies come in, offering different ways to process pain, build safety, and regulate the nervous system.

Two widely used trauma approaches are Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Somatic Therapy. Both help reduce symptoms, but they take very different routes. 

This guide breaks down EMDR vs. somatic therapy, how they work, what makes them different, and how clinicians can decide which fits best.

Quick Comparison Table – EMDR vs Somatic Therapy

Here is a side-by-side look at the key differences:

What Is EMDR Therapy?

EMDR therapy was developed in the late 1980s by Dr. Francine Shapiro. It is best known for helping clients reprocess distressing memories through bilateral stimulation, typically eye movements, tapping, or alternating sounds.

During an EMDR session, the client recalls a traumatic memory while focusing on bilateral cues. This helps the brain integrate the memory in a more adaptive way, reducing its emotional intensity over time. The EMDR therapy follows an 8-phase protocol and does not require clients to describe the memory in detail.

EMDR is recommended by the World Health Organization, APA, and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a first-line treatment for PTSD. It has also shown benefit for anxiety, grief, and phobias. For therapists looking to deepen their skills, EMDR courses and EMDR certification paths are available through Online CE Credits.

What Is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is rooted in body-centered psychotherapy. It works by helping clients tune into physical sensations, breath, and postural shifts that may reflect unprocessed trauma. Unlike EMDR, somatic work focuses on the felt sense rather than the specific narrative.

Common techniques include breathwork, grounding exercises, movement, and sensation tracking. The goal is to help clients build awareness of how trauma lives in the body and to slowly release stored tension.

Approaches like Somatic Experiencing (developed by Dr. Peter Levine) and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (pioneered by Dr. Pat Ogden) have become increasingly popular among trauma therapists. Somatic therapy can support clients who struggle with dissociation, hypervigilance, or emotional overwhelm. 

For training options, Online CE Credits offers somatic therapy courses with CE approval.

EMDR vs Somatic Therapy – Key Differences

While both EMDR and somatic therapy are trauma-informed, their methods and goals are different.

Method & Focus

EMDR targets how traumatic memories are stored in the brain. It uses bilateral stimulation to promote memory reconsolidation. The client often works through specific events in a structured sequence.

Somatic therapy focuses on body awareness and nervous system regulation. It encourages clients to explore physical sensations without needing to retell or reframe specific memories. This makes it well-suited for clients with developmental trauma or limited verbal access.

Session Experience

EMDR sessions tend to be more structured. Clients move through distinct phases, from preparation to reprocessing and integration. The work is often active and focused, with attention on cognitive shifts.

Somatic sessions are typically slower and more fluid. The therapist might guide the client to notice areas of tension, shifts in breath, or subtle changes in posture. It can feel more experiential and less cognitively demanding.

Time to Results

EMDR often shows results within 8-12 sessions for single-incident trauma. Research has shown a reduction in PTSD symptoms after just a few weeks of treatment.

Somatic therapy may take longer to show measurable change, especially with complex trauma. However, its impact on nervous system regulation, sleep, and physical symptoms is often meaningful over time. The slower pace can be more sustainable for some clients.

Read more: Prolonged Exposure vs EMDR

How to Know Which Therapy Fits Your Client Best

There is no “wrong” choice. It all comes down to how trauma shows up in the body, mind, and daily life.

Somatic therapy may be the better fit for clients who:

• Experience chronic tension, pain, or numbness linked to trauma
• Feel disconnected from their emotions or bodily sensations
• Are drawn to a body-based approach that goes beyond words
• Have tried talk therapy and sensed something deeper was left unresolved

EMDR may be more appropriate for those who:

• Struggle with specific traumatic memories or flashbacks
• Experience intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or psychological distress
• Prefer a structured, goal-oriented approach
• Want to avoid going into detail about their traumatic experiences

In many cases, client preference, pacing needs, and clinical readiness can help guide the way. It is less about finding the “best” therapy and more about choosing the one that meets the client where they are.

Pros and Cons of Each

✅ Pros of EMDR:

• Backed by global health agencies for PTSD
• Often leads to faster symptom relief
• Follows a clear, structured protocol
• Adaptable to telehealth settings
• Can be combined with other approaches

⚠️ Cons of EMDR:

• Requires mental focus and memory recall
• May not suit clients with high dissociation
• Sessions can be emotionally intense

✅ Pros of Somatic Therapy:

• Ideal for clients disconnected from emotions or body
• Supports nervous system regulation and trauma release
• Often less cognitively demanding
• Accessible for nonverbal or body-aware clients

⚠️ Cons of Somatic Therapy:

• Research base is smaller compared to EMDR
• Progress may be slower or less linear
• Requires careful pacing with complex trauma

Can EMDR and Somatic Therapy Be Combined?

Yes, and many clinicians find they complement each other well. For example, somatic techniques can be used to ground clients before or after EMDR sessions. Clients with complex trauma may benefit from starting with somatic work to build tolerance before engaging in memory reprocessing.

An integrated approach helps therapists stay flexible and trauma-responsive. Many advanced EMDR practitioners incorporate somatic tools into their work. For those ready to deepen their training, Online CE Credits offers an Advanced EMDR Certification that includes these integrative methods.

FAQ

Is EMDR Therapy More Effective Than Somatic Therapy?

EMDR has a larger evidence base, especially for PTSD. Somatic therapy has growing support for emotional regulation and chronic trauma. The best choice depends on the client’s needs.

Can You Do EMDR and Somatic Therapy at the Same Time?

Yes. Many therapists use somatic grounding techniques alongside EMDR to improve safety, pacing, and integration.

Does EMDR Lead to Somatic De-Arousal?

Yes. EMDR often reduces physiological arousal by reprocessing stored stress. Clients may notice relaxed breathing or reduced body tension after sessions.

Can You Do Somatic Therapy Online?

Yes, though it may require adjustments. Many somatic tools, like breathwork and interoception, can be guided virtually with proper training.

How Many Sessions Does EMDR Take?

For single-event trauma, EMDR can take 8-12 sessions. Complex trauma may require more time.

Which Therapy Is Better for Complex PTSD?

Somatic therapy is often a safer starting point for complex trauma. EMDR can be introduced once regulation improves.