For EMDR Therapists: Why get certified?
Are you an EMDR therapist that has completed an EMDRIA-approved basic training course? Have you heard other EMDR therapists talk about certification? Have you ever wondered what the benefits of certification might be? Well, we fully support that this is an individual decision for every therapist, here are a few benefits to pursuing EMDR certification.
For the full list of EMDR certification, guidelines, and regulations, visit the EMDRIA certification page here.
Referral Credibility:
When looking through Google searches, psychology today ads, mental health match posts, and other search engines to find therapists, you may see a number of therapists that advertise that they are trained in EMDR therapy. However, it can be challenging to determine the level of skill and expertise that any of these individuals may have. Being able to state that you are EMDR certified is a standardized way of proving that you have invested additional time and energy, and that your skills have a value for proficiency in your EMDR therapy work. And while some may see the EMDRIA-certified label as simply a marketing strategy, as an EMDR consultant, I rarely make referrals for EMDR therapists that are not also EMDR certified, because that level of investment feels like an important aspect of our credibility as a community.
Being listed on the EMDRIA, EMDR database of therapists:
Did you know that EMDRIA has a database of therapists who are certified in EMDR therapy? This search engine is one of the go-to places for finding an EMDR therapist when clients are moving to a new city, or when individuals may be looking for a referral outside of their immediate EMDR therapy network. Being able to be listed on the site and searchable based on the ZIP Code that you are practicing can be a great way for other individuals to find your practice and utilize your resources as a certified EMDR therapist.
Accountability for developing your EMDR therapy skills:
As professionals, therapists, and EMDR therapists, we get busy. It can be challenging to make time to continue studying, researching, and advancing our therapeutic practice while maintaining caseloads and treating clients. Pursuing EMDR certification is a great way to create accountability for continuing to grow and develop as a therapist. With the criteria of 20 hours of consultation, certified EMDR therapists have put themselves in a position to gain feedback, learn, and have their skills critiqued in a professional setting. This accountability for growth is one of the many ways that certification can help to develop quality and validated and your therapy skills. Not to mention, every certified EMDR therapist received a letter from their consultant, validating their proficiency and their EMDR therapy skills.
