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What is EMDR Therapy?

CE Hours 1

About this course

Welcome to this introductory course on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. EMDR is a powerful, evidence-based psychotherapy approach originally developed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. Over the past three decades, EMDR has evolved into a widely respected treatment for a range of mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and complicated grief. In this course, you will explore the fundamental principles of EMDR therapy, including its unique eight-phase protocol and the role of bilateral stimulation in facilitating adaptive information processing. Whether you are a clinician new to EMDR or simply curious about how it works, this course will provide you with a clear understanding of its history, applications, and effectiveness, as supported by extensive research. Join us as we demystify EMDR therapy and discover how it can offer hope and healing to those navigating the aftermath of trauma and loss.

Learning Objectives

  • 1. Explain how Dr. Francine Shapiro discovered EMDR therapy and list three symptoms it is used to treat.
  • 2. Describe the eight phases of EMDR therapy.
  • 3. Identify three scales and measures used to obtain baseline data in delivering EMDR therapy.

Learning Levels

  • Introductory

Course Instructor(s)

  • Kathy Couch

    Kathy founded Rewired360, a EMDR Consulting/Training business and Willow Creek Counseling, an EMDR therapy business. Certifications are held with EMDRIA as a EMDR Certified Therapist/Approved Consultant, and a Fellow in Thanatology with the Association of Death Education and Counseling, and is a Level 2 trained Gottman Institute clinician.

    Kathy has 10 years of teaching experience at Boise State University, with specializations in in program evaluation, research and small business development. Specialties include areas of death, grief, bereavement, couples, and has experience with addiction, child welfare, probation and parole, TF-CBT, substance abuse and domestic violence. She regularly provides EMDR and Couples Intensives and lives in Twin Falls, Idaho with her family daughter, twin boys and family dogs.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

  • Amano, T., & Toichi, M. (2016). The role of alternating bilateral stimulation in establishing positive cognition in EMDR therapy: A multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy study. Brain and Behavior, 6(11), e00533. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.533
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
  • Bisson, J. I., Roberts, N. P., Andrew, M., Cooper, R., & Lewis, C. (2013). Psychological therapies for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (12), CD003388. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003388.pub4
  • Brewin, C. R. (2011). The nature of trauma memories. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24(5), 624–633. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20690
  • EMDR Association UK. (2020). Dr Francine Shapiro obituary 1948–2019. https://emdrassociation.org.uk/effective-authentic-accredited/about-emdr-association-uk/dr-francine-shapiro-obituary-1948-2019/
  • EMDR International Association. (n.d.). About EMDR therapy. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/
  • EMDR International Association. (2019). EMDR International Association definition of EMDR. https://www.emdria.org/emdr-training/become-a-virtual-basic-trainer/emdr-international-association-definition-of-emdr/
  • EMDR International Association. (2021). EMDR therapy beginnings: Francine Shapiro. https://www.emdria.org/blog/emdr-therapy-beginnings-francine-shapiro/
  • EMDR International Association. (2022). Clinical practice guideline for EMDR therapy.
  • EMDR International Association. (2023). EMDR certification. https://www.emdria.org/emdr-training/emdr-certification-2/
  • Hase, M. (2021). The structure of EMDR therapy: A guide for the therapist. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 660753. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660753
  • Hase, M., & Brisch, K. H. (2022). The therapeutic relationship in EMDR therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 835470. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.835470
  • Hase, M., Schallmayer, S., & Sack, M. (2017). EMDR reprocessing of the addiction memory: Pretreatment, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 11(2), 84–95. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.11.2.84
  • Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Demler, O., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 617–627. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.617
  • Khan, A. M., Dar, S., Ahmed, R., Bachu, R., Adnan, M., & Kotapati, V. P. (2018). Cognitive behavioral therapy versus eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Cureus, 10(9), e3250. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.3250
  • Korn, D. L., & Leeds, A. M. (2002). Preliminary evidence of efficacy for EMDR resource development and installation in the stabilization phase of treatment of complex posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(12), 1465–1487. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.10099
  • Landin-Romero, R., Moreno-Alcazar, A., Pagani, M., & Amann, B. L. (2018). How does eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy work? A systematic review on suggested mechanisms of action. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1395. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01395
  • Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. (2013). A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in processing emotional memories. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 44(2), 231–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.11.001
  • Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the tiger: Healing trauma. North Atlantic Books.
  • Lewis, T. (2023, October). Window of tolerance and emotional dysregulation (Dr. Dan Siegel) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNVlppGz0zM
  • Lucas-Thompson, R. G., McKernan, C. J., & Henry, K. L. (2018). Unraveling current and future adolescent depressive symptoms: The role of stress reactivity across physiological systems. Developmental Psychology, 54(9), 1650–1660. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000530
  • Matthijssen, S. J., Lee, C. W., de Roos, C., Barron, I. G., Jarero, I., Shapiro, E., & van den Hout, M. A. (2020). The current status of EMDR therapy, specific target areas, and goals for the future. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 14(4), 241–245. https://doi.org/10.1891/EMDR-D-20-00039
  • Maxfield, L. (2019). A clinician’s guide to the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(4), 239–246. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.239
  • Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Schema. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schema
  • Miller, P. W. (2023a, January). Exploring the differences: Understanding EMDR therapy vs. other therapies [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/X91DqNyavic?si=brl73tqMT-igZ8_j
  • Miller, P. W. (2023b, January). How does EMDR work in the brain? The neuroscience of EMDR with professor Paul Miller at Mirabilis [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IgG2jO89G8
  • Miller, P. W. (2023c, June). How does bilateral stimulation (BLS) work in EMDR therapy? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRHeQCdhAtk
  • Miller, P. W. (2023d, June). What is AIP? The adaptive information processing model and how to use it in EMDR [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/h1GEtmPGbsw?si=CArbAzzqV-w2x0RJ
  • Mount Sinai Health System. (2023). How trauma affects the brain. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/report/trauma-and-the-brain
  • Murray, K. (2011). Container. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(1), 29–30. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.5.1.29
  • Parnell, L. (2019). A therapist's guide to EMDR: Reaching the heart of the matter. The Guilford Press.
  • Peacock, R. (n.d.). 3 methods of target sequencing. Compassion Works. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://compassionworks.com/3-methods-of-target-sequencing/
  • Porges, S. W. (2017). The pocket guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The transformative power of feeling safe. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Powers, A., Stevens, J. S., Bradley, B., & Jovanovic, T. (2022). Right inferior frontal gyrus and ventromedial prefrontal activation during response inhibition is implicated in the development of PTSD symptoms. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 13(1), 2059993. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2022.2059993
  • Shapiro, F. (1989a). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2(2), 199–223. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.2490020207
  • Shapiro, F. (1989b). Eye movement desensitization: A new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 20(3), 211–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(89)90025-6
  • Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.
  • Shapiro, F. (2014). The role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in medicine: Addressing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences. The Permanente Journal, 18(1), 71–77. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/13-098
  • Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.
  • Shapiro, F., & Laliotis, D. (2011). EMDR and the adaptive information processing model: Integrative treatment and case conceptualization. Clinical Social Work Journal, 39, 191–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-010-0300-7
  • Shapiro, R. (2016). Easy ego state interventions: Strategies for working with parts. W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Siegel, D. J. (2012). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.
  • Siegel, D. J. (2020). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.
  • Solomon, R. M., & Maxfield, L. (2019a). Francine Shapiro. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 13(3), 158–160. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.13.3.158
  • Solomon, R. M., & Maxfield, L. (2019b). Memory reconsolidation, emotional processing, and the psychotherapeutic action of EMDR therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1938. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01938
  • van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.
  • World Health Organization. (2013). Guidelines for the management of conditions specifically related to stress. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241505406
  • Zone in to find your own window of tolerance. (2023, May 27). Newcastle Herald, 0.

CE Process Info

Content

  • What is EMDR?
    1 parts
    • What is EMDR?
  • Rewired360 (LLC)

    Rewired360 has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7491. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Rewired360 is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

FAQs

  • Privacy Statement
    The privacy of all participants will assuredly be maintained from registration through receipt of a certificate of completion. Though participants will be required to be on camera to receive credit for a live webinar, the recording will not include a view of participants’ names or faces.
  • Course Completion
    To complete the course, review the course objectives, then watch the video power point presentations following along with the corresponding pdf, and lastly complete an evaluation. Your certificate will be available to download immediately when you complete the evaluation. Note that you can not continue in the course until you complete the previous section.
  • CELS Grievance
    If a grievance arises pertaining to continuing education activities or processes, please contact Tyler Gibson via confidential email to tyler@celearningsystems.com or Kimberly Daniels via confidential email to kdanielspsyd.com as soon as possible, so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion.
  • ADA Accommodations
    ADA accommodations will be made in accordance with the law; please indicate your special needs upon registering at least 30 days prior to the event by sending an email to support@ce-go.com or by calling us at 888 498 5578.
  • Technology
    . This virtual event will be hosted via Zoom Webinar, and you may be prompted to download or upgrade your Zoom app if using a mobile device. A strong WiFi connection will be required for best quality. 2. We recommend clicking your "Join Webinar" button early and checking that your speakers are on before the event begins. Please do not worry about being seen or heard! Attendee video feeds and mics are turned off by default when entering a webinar. You will be able to ask questions via the Q&A feature. 3. Please respect that no copying, recording, or distribution of live session content is allowed. CE's are provided for the "live" sessions only. CE's will not be available for the recordings.
  • Non-discrimination Policy
    Kimberly M. Daniels, L.L.C., and CE-GO.com do not discriminate against any individual or group concerning any service, program, or activity provided based on gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, ability, economic status, religion, age, organizational membership, or any other basis prohibited by law.
  • Webinar Statement
    *PLEASE NOTE: This webinar will be recorded and available as a non-contact webinar. If you are unable to attend live, please let us know, and you will receive access to the recorded version within thirty (30) days after the webinar is presented live.
What is EMDR Therapy?
You Have Completed This course
$49
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  • CE Hours
    1
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Oct 20th, 2025

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