EMDR Skills for Trauma Treatment

Date course updated: May 2025

EMDR is a set of evidence-based, powerful treatment tools for trauma and PTSD, as well as other mental health conditions. While EMDR skills have been popular for many years, training in these skills can be difficult to find, and is often cost-prohibitive. This affordable 2-day course introduces attendees to the original 8-phase model of EMDR and teaches participants how to conduct each of the eight phases.

NOTE: Our EMDR programs and associated credentials are exclusively affiliated with and available through Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. and Online CE Credits. EMDR certification is provided by various entities across the US and abroad, but continuing education certification is not regulated nor owned by any one particular education provider, association, or broker. Individual state regulatory authorities solely determine scope, competency, and legal right to practice, as is true for any other therapy modality (CBT, DBT, etc.). To determine the quality and legitimacy of your investment, we encourage you to look at the experience and education-level of your trainer, cost of the program, ongoing requirements if there are any, quality-level of the learning platform, and established reputation of the education provider.

***Follow-up Course: Advanced EMDR Skills for Complex Trauma***

**This is a 12.5-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform**

Agenda:

Video 1:
00:00 – 00:36: Introduction to EMDR Skills, FAQs
00:36 – 01:46: Neuroscience of Trauma and Treatment, Memory Reconsolidation, Key Areas of Focus
01:46 – 02:45: Neural Networks, Avoidance, Dynamics and Activation of Neural Networks
02:45 – 03:28: Cognitive Restructuring, Exposure, Repetition in Healing, Neuron Regeneration
03:28 – 04:06: Trauma Reconsolidation, Integrating Incongruent Experiences, Processes
04:06 – 04:55: Original 8-Phase Model, Managing Expectations, Closure and Reevaluation in EMDR
04:55 – 05:39: Phase 1, Target Sequence Planning, Evaluation/Assessment, The CAPS-5
05:39 – 06:37: NDIT Explained, Worksheet Utilization, Navigating Complex Trauma and Target Mapping

Video 2:
00:00 – 00:47: Phase 2, Grounding Techniques, Breath Work, Exploring Autogenic Training
00:47 – 01:43: Top-Down & Secure Place Techniques, Real-Life Resources, Window of Tolerance
01:43 – 02:22: Phases 3 & 4, Activation and Desensitization, Stimulation Methods, Client Preferences
02:22 – 03:00: The Evolution of EMDR, Considerations Before Starting Phase 4, Advanced Techniques
03:00 – 03:35: Phase 6, Integrating Somatic Awareness in EMDR, Identifying Client Sensitivities
03:35 – 03:56: Phase 5, Cooling Off the Trauma Network, Understanding the Validity of Cognition Scale
03:56 – 04:45: Phases 7 & 8, Connecting with Clients Post-Session, Creative Approaches in EMDR
04:45 – 05:16: Body Awareness, Desensitization, Integrating Trauma and Positive Cognition, Recap
05:16 – 05:45: Common Modifications and Recommendations, Preverbal Trauma, Alt. Therapeutic Approaches
05:45 – 06:03: Consultation and Ongoing Support, Client Attendance and Consistency, Closing

Objectives :

a). After completing this training, participants will be able to establish the role of the autonomic nervous system in trauma symptomology.

b). After completing this training, participants will be able to characterize the potential neurobiological mechanisms of change in the empirically validated EMDR approach.

c). After completing this training, participants will be able to specify how EMDR techniques can build dual awareness in clients to treat the avoidance that makes trauma and anxiety treatment challenging.

d). After completing this training, participants will be able to communicate the 8 Phases of the EMDR protocol.

e). After completing this training, participants will be able to determine which clients with whom you should use EMDR.

f). After completing this training, participants will be able to communicate the central principle of the Adaptive Information Processing Theory and establish how it informs the EMDR approach.

g). After completing this training, participants will be able to analyze resourcing strategies from EMDR that clinicians can use to help facilitate the processing of trauma.

h). After completing this training, participants will be able to specify the steps clinicians must take to emphasize safety during EMDR sessions.

i). After completing this training, participants will be able to characterize how EMDR techniques can be used to reinforce and activate positive neural networks.

j). After completing this training, participants will be able to evaluate strategies that can help foster the critical connection between client and therapist in EMDR therapy.

k). After completing this training, participants will be able to establish the order of operations for attachment-based EMDR treatment to resolve relational trauma.

l). After completing this training, participants will be able to state the role of neural networks in perpetuating trauma symptoms and how applying EMDR techniques may restructure these networks.

m). After completing this training, participants will be able to describe the process of trauma memory reconsolidation.

n). After completing this training, participants will be able to describe the basic steps to develop a target sequence plan for EMDR therapy, including how to identify an NC.

Target Audience:

The target audience for this event includes psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed counselors, MFT’s, and other clinical mental health professionals.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Instructor(s): Jennifer Sweeton, PsyD, MS, MA

Material Author(s): Jennifer Sweeton, PsyD, MS, MA

Originally trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Jennifer Sweeton is a clinical and forensic psychologist, Amazon #1 best-selling author, and internationally-recognized expert on trauma, anxiety, and the neuroscience of mental health. She is the author of the book, Trauma Treatment Toolbox, published by PESI Publishing & Media. Dr. Sweeton completed her doctoral training at the Stanford University School of Medicine, the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, and the National Center for PTSD. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in affective neuroscience from Stanford University, and studied behavioral genetics at Harvard University. Dr. Sweeton resides in the greater Kansas City area, where she owns a group private practice, Kansas City Mental Health Associates, and co-owns Mind Works Professional Education, Inc., a continuing education company. She holds an adjunct faculty appointment at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, and is a former President of the Greater Kansas City Psychological Association. Dr. Sweeton offers clinical and forensic psychological services, and is a sought-after trauma and neuroscience expert who has trained more than 15,000 mental health professionals in all 50 US states and over 20 countries.

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:

Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not quality for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

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, 2024 – July 23, 2025. Social workers completing this course receive 12.5 clinical continuing education credits.

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