Introduction
Date Course Created: August 2025
Are you ready to move beyond the standard EMDR protocol and master the art of navigating complex clinical challenges? This integrated training is designed to elevate your practice, equipping you with the advanced skills to handle your most challenging cases with creativity and confidence. You will learn to transform therapeutic impasses into breakthroughs by effectively managing blocked processing, looping, and client shutdowns. Master the skillful use of interweaves, learning precisely when and how to intervene to restore a client’s natural healing trajectory without overriding their process.
Through a series of video lessons, this course will fundamentally expand your therapeutic toolkit, moving beyond foundational resourcing with creative, client-centered strategies that engage somatic, sensory, and relational channels. This ensures you can co-create meaningful resources for even the most activated or disconnected clients.
Furthermore, you will learn to adapt the protocol for a wider range of clients, ensuring EMDR is both accessible and effective. Gain a clear framework for modifying EMDR for individuals with aphantasia or visualization challenges and learn to seamlessly integrate EMDR principles into couples therapy to enhance attachment security, co-regulation, and connection. Leave this training as a more confident, versatile, and effective EMDR therapist, ready to facilitate profound healing in even the most complex cases.
This is a 5.75-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform.
Agenda
Working with Blocked Processing:
00:00 – 00:16 → Introduction, Blocked Memories, Challenges in Articulating Trauma, Examining Lack of Adaptive Information
00:16 – 00:31 → Goals of EMDR Beyond Desensitization, Techniques, Repetitive Memory Patterns, Client Validation and Support
00:31 – 00:47 → Breath Work and Brain Function, Indicators of Processing Blocks, Identifying Blocks Before Abreaction
00:47 – 00:59 → The Role of Compassion in Processing, The EMDR Eight Phase Approach, Future Anticipation and Anxiety
00:59 – 01:12 → The Role of Negative Cognitions, Little T Traumas, Identifying Emotional Responses, Negative Feedback Loops
01:12 – 01:30 → Creating Safe Spaces for Expression, Reinforcing Positive Neural Feedback Loops, Embodiment in Therapy
EMDR with Couples:
00:00 – 00:18 → Relationship Dynamics, Individual Sessions, Stages of Change, Deepening the Assessment Phase
00:18 – 00:32 → Individual Responsibility in Relationships, Relationship Dynamics, Negative Cognitions
00:32 – 00:51 → Personal Experiences & Curiosity in Relationships, Gratitude and Validation, Resourcing Skills
00:51 – 01:12 → Emotional Check-Ins, Core Emotions, Applying Bilateral Stimulation, Gratitude in Relationships
01:12 – 01:25 → Desensitization and Reprocessing, The Role of Witnessing in EMDR Sessions, Key Takeaways
Using Interweaves In EMDR:
00:00 – 00:18 → Introduction to Interweaves, Guiding Interweave Selection, Engaging Client Strengths, Timing
00:18 – 00:33 → Starting with Emotional Interweaves, Techniques for Regulation, Exploring Somatic Interweaves
00:33 – 00:47 → Float Back Techniques, Identifying Core Beliefs & Attachment Wounds, Collaborative Exploration
00:47 – 01:05 → Utilizing Hypnotic Interweaves, Two-Handed Interweaves, Coexisting Emotions, Focusing on Resilience
Building Resourcing Skills:
00:00 – 00:16 → Phase Two, The Role of Resourcing, Building New Neural Pathways, Integrating Somatic Approaches
00:16 – 00:29 → The Continuous Nature of Transformation, Resource Development, Overdeveloped Patterns, Techniques
00:29 – 00:41 → Resourcing from Positive Cognitions, Grounding Techniques, Resource Development and Installation (RDA)
00:41 – 00:53 → Case Studies, Complex Trauma Backgrounds, Creative Coping Mechanisms, Building a Restoration Team
EMDR Strategies for Clients Who Cannot Visualize or Have Visual Impairment:
00:00 – 00:18 → Understanding Aphantasia & Hypophantasia, Developing a Sense of Self, Misconceptions About Visualization
00:18 – 00:33 → Conducting Sensory Intakes, Understanding Auditory Sensitivity, Testing Bilateral Stimulation Methods
00:33 – 00:48 → Utilizing Sensory Catalysts, Integrating Writing, Trial and Error in Resource Building
00:48 – 01:02 → Navigating Visual Limitations, Mindful Language and Client-Led Experiences, Conclusion
Objectives
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
Working with Blocked Processing:
After completing this training, participants will be able to identify at least three clinical signs that suggest processing is blocked or looping during EMDR.- After completing this training, participants will be able to describe how trauma, dissociation, or unmet attachment needs can contribute to processing disruptions.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to apply at least three specific strategies to re-engage blocked processing without overwhelming the client.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to utilize interweaves, resourcing, or pacing adjustments to support clients who repeatedly experience disruptions during reprocessing.
Desensitization and Reprocessing:
- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify at least three Phase 2 EMDR resourcing strategies that can be adapted for couples work.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to describe how co-regulation and shared resourcing can reduce emotional reactivity in couple dynamics.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to demonstrate ways to apply EMDR principles to enhance attachment security and relational connection.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to integrate BLS and mindfulness-based tools to build mutual tolerance for emotional discomfort and increase presence between partners.
Using Interweaves In EMDR:
- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify at least three clinical indicators that suggest the need for an interweave during EMDR processing.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to describe how to use interweaves without interfering with the client’s adaptive processing system.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to differentiate between types of interweaves (cognitive, emotional, imaginal, somatic) and when to use them.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to develop and apply client-specific interweaves based on the nature of the block or stuck point.
Building Resourcing Skills:
- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify limitations of standard EMDR Phase 2 resourcing tools and recognize when alternative strategies are needed.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to describe at least four types of client-centered resourcing interventions that can be used during Phase 2 of EMDR.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to develop resourcing methods that engage non-visual channels such as somatic, relational, and sensory-based approaches.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to apply a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens to customizing resources based on individual client needs and backgrounds.
EMDR Strategies for Clients Who Cannot Visualize or Have Visual Impairment:
- After completing this training, participants will be able to define aphantasia and describe how it may impact a client’s experience of EMDR therapy.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify at least three non-visual channels of access for target memory and resourcing within the EMDR protocol.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to demonstrate modifications to Phase 2 (Preparation) and Phase 3 (Assessment) for clients who do not processing through visual experiences.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to apply alternative methods to support dual attention and adaptive processing in clients with visual limitations.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course includes licensed psychologists, social workers, counselors, MFT’s, and other licensed clinical mental health professionals.
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 5.75 clinical continuing education credits.
Other Helpful Information:
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- 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.
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