Introduction
Date Course Created: April 2026
In times of crisis, immediate and effective interventions are essential for mitigating the long-term effects of trauma. This course provides the critical skills needed to work with clients in the direct aftermath of high-stress events, equipping clinicians with actionable strategies for real-time intervention. Standard therapeutic approaches often fall short in acute situations, requiring specialized, rapid-response methods. This training focuses on integrating trauma-informed care with adapted EMDR protocols to stabilize clients, address immediate distress, and foster resilience from the onset of a traumatic experience.
This training offers a deep dive into several research-backed EMDR models specifically designed for crisis response. You will learn skills from the Critical Incident Desensitization (CID) model, developed for acute and high-stress situations. The course also provides instruction on various stabilization techniques and the application of Acute Traumatic Incident Processing (ATIP) to help lessen the impact of trauma on clients. The curriculum will further explore the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (RTEP) and the Protocol for Recent Critical Incidences (PRECI), ensuring you have a comprehensive toolkit for diverse emergency settings, including natural disasters, accidents, violence, and first-responder trauma.
This course is ideal for EMDR-trained therapists, crisis responders, medical personnel, and mental health professionals seeking to enhance their ability to manage acute trauma effectively. By learning to apply these specialized protocols, you will gain the confidence to intervene across various professional settings, from mental health and medical fields to crisis response teams. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to implement these rapid-response EMDR methods, promoting client resilience and providing critical support when it is needed most.
This is a 4.5-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform.
Agenda
00:00 – 00:49 → Introduction, Acute Trauma Incident Processing (ATIP), Memory Networks, PTSD Formation
00:49 – 01:55 → Critical Incident Desensitization (CID), Psychoeducation, Desensitization, Sequential Processing
01:55 – 02:30 → Targeting, Differentiating Between CID and ATIP, Techniques, Identifying Targets, Installation
02:30 – 03:06 → Future Template Work, Practical Application of ATIP, Navigating Client Dynamics
03:06 – 03:42 → Recent Traumatic Event Protocol, Complex Trauma Dynamics, Mapping Recent Traumatic Events
03:42 – 04:30 → Preparation for EMDR Protocol, Modifications, PRESI Protocol, Case Example: RTEP in Action
Objectives
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
After completing this training, participants will be able to identify the core principles of the Critical Incident Desensitization (CID) of EMDR and its application in acute and high-stress situations.- After completing this training, participants will be able to demonstrate effective stabilization techniques to support clients immediately following critical incidents with the use of EMDR strategies.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to apply Acute Traumatic Incident Processing (ATIP) to help mitigate the impact of trauma on clients and promote resilience in crisis situations.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to utilize research-based EMDR strategies to address distress in a variety of settings, including emergency settings, natural disasters, accidents, violence, and first-responder trauma.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to integrate trauma-informed principles along with EMDR interventions for crisis stabilization.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to develop knowledge of how to implement rapid-response EMDR methods within diverse professional settings, including mental health, medical, and crisis response fields.
Target Audience:
Mental Health Clinicians & Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, Counselors, School Personnel, and Healthcare Workers.
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Instructor(s): Megan Salar, MSW
Material Author(s): Megan Salar, MSW
For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.
Course Materials & Delivery Method:
- Course Materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.
- Delivery Method – This course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.
CE Approvals:
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2025 – July 23, 2028. Social workers completing this course receive 4.5 clinical continuing education credits.
Other Helpful Information:
Refund & Cancellation Policy – You may review this policy at any time by clicking here.- Accessibility Accommodations – If you require a reasonable accommodation for any reason, please email your request to cc@onlinececredits.com.
- Course Completion Requirements – 1.) View the entire Lesson module (accessible from the main course page), to include the embedded and/or linked presentation video(s), slide deck, additional materials, and/or links to any shared video clip(s) that may have been edited from the presentation video(s) to comply with copyright laws. 2.) Click into the Quiz module accessible from either the main course page or the Lesson page and complete the Quiz with an 80% or better pass rate. 3.) Complete the Course Evaluation – you’ll be sent to the Evaluation automatically once you successfully pass the Quiz.
- Posttest Requirements – You must answer 80% or more of the Quiz questions correctly to pass. If you fail to pass the first time, you may attempt the quiz again until you are able to pass with a score of 80% or better. Quizzes are graded instantly and automatically by the learning management system once your attempt is submitted.
- Certificate of Completion – Certificates of Completion are automatically generated – downloadable from your Dashboard and emailed to you – once you view the Lesson Materials and complete the Quiz and the Course Evaluation.
- How to Enroll – Login to the website first if you already have a user account. If not, you will create your permanent user account login information during course enrollment. Select the appropriate course library using the top menu of the website. Once inside your chosen course library, find and select your desired course to be taken to the main course page. Click the button on the top banner to enroll. When the order window pops up, enter your details and place your order. You will be emailed an enrollment confirmation message, and you’ll be sent to a landing page instructing you how to begin your newly enrolled course.
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