Ethics & EMDR

Course overview

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful, evidence-based approach to treating trauma and related conditions. However, EMDR can have unique ethical responsibility compared to other therapeutic modalities. This professional training provides mental health practitioners with the knowledge and tools to navigate ethical responsibilities and challenges specific to EMDR therapy. Grounded in the EMDRIA Standards of Practice and aligned with professional codes of ethics (APA, ACA, NASW), this training explores core ethical principles including informed consent, scope of competence, client safety, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and professional boundaries. Participants will engage in case studies, discussions, and exercises to practice applying ethical decision-making in real-world EMDR scenarios, such as working with dissociation, managing abreactions, and adapting EMDR for diverse populations. This course is approved by EMDRIA for EMDR continuing education hours. Goals & Learning Objectives: By the end of this training, participants will be able to describe the ethical principles that guide EMDR practice, including informed consent, scope of competence, and client safety, apply EMDRIA Standards of Practice and relevant professional codes (ACA, NASW, APA, etc.) to real-world case examples, recognize common ethical dilemmas in EMDR practice (e.g., abreactions, dissociation, cultural humility, dual relationships), develop strategies for ethical decision-making, documentation, and consultation in EMDR therapy, and identify how to maintain fidelity to the 8-phase EMDR protocol while integrating expressive or adjunctive methods. This training is open to all therapists who are curious about EMDR as well as those already trained in EMDR.