Yes, you need a degree to perform eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Specially trained and licensed or certified professionals use this advanced technique to treat trauma-related mental health conditions.
Learn how to become an EMDR therapist, including education, training, and licensure requirements.
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What Does an EMDR Therapist Do?
Mental health counselors, therapists, and other licensed practitioners provide EMDR therapy to patients. These professionals mainly use EMDR to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and phobias rooted in trauma. As the Cleveland Clinic notes, EMDR only works for the treatment of trauma-related conditions.
EMDR is most commonly used as a PTSD therapy. According to the National Center for PTSD, about 8% of women and 4% of men experience PTSD during their lifetimes.
Anyone who experiences serious psychological or emotional trauma can develop PTSD or another mental health condition for which EMDR is indicated. However, members of certain professions face elevated risks. These include:
- Military service members and combat veterans
- First responders (police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians)
- Corrections professionals
Mental health counselors and therapists who provide EMDR therapy commonly work in inpatient and outpatient care facilities, social service agencies, hospitals, and private practices.
Key Skills for Performing EMDR
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Complete command of EMDR competencies and best practices -
Personability, rapport-building, and trustworthiness -
Empathy and care -
Situational responsiveness -
Strong intuition
Education Required to Become a Mental Health Professional
Licensed mental health counselors require extensive education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Many study psychology or health sciences as undergraduates. Other relevant majors include human services, social work, and sociology.
As graduate students, aspiring mental health counselors pursue advanced, specialized studies in degree paths related to counseling psychology or mental health therapy. Top-ranked counseling schools offer educational programs in both face-to-face and online formats.
Exact educational requirements for licensure vary by state. Some states mandate that applicants complete specific coursework, or hold a specially accredited advanced degree. For links to state-specific licensing information, consult this American Counseling Association resource.
Practical Experience Requirements for a Mental Health Professional
Mental health counselors who deliver EMDR therapy must complete comprehensive practical training to qualify for licensure. Exact time requirements vary by state, but they range into the thousands of hours.
To become effective providers of EMDR therapy, practitioners must complete at least a basic training program. As an example, the EMDR International Association's basic training program covers:
- Didactic instruction covering EMDR delivery models, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic effectiveness
- Practicum components involving the supervised application of theoretical training
- Consultation sessions guiding mental health professionals on best practices for integrating EMDR into their treatment services
Basic EMDR training programs may take about 12 weeks (one college semester) or longer.
Mental Health Counselor Licensure and Certification
You must hold a valid mental health practitioner's license to deliver EMDR therapy. In addition to licensed mental health counselors, other qualified health professionals may also provide EMDR treatments. These may include:
- Clinical psychologists and psychotherapists
- Licensed clinical social workers
- Advanced practice registered nurses
- Physicians
Additionally, someone with a graduate degree in mental health who is still earning their clinical hours can begin training for EMDR, they don't have to wait until licensure to get started.
Licensure requirements vary among states and professions. Mental health counselors typically require a master's or doctoral degree recognized by their state's licensing board and thousands of hours of supervised clinical training.
You can also pursue optional certifications from reputable organizations, which augment your credentials and signal a commitment to professional excellence. Examples of these certifications from the National Board for Certified Counselors include:
EMDR Certification
As a licensed practitioner, you have the option of pursuing optional certifications specifically in EMDR therapy. However, to become EMDR certified or deliver EMDR without supervision, you must be fully licensed. Certification communicates specialized EMDR expertise and may help you attract and retain clients and employment opportunities that align with your professional interests.
The professional organizations that offer certification typically require trainees to hold a valid mental health practitioner's license. You may also have to complete classroom-based and/or practical training programs to enter a certification pathway.
Career Projections for Mental Health Counselors
As an EMDR therapist, your earning potential largely depends on your broader professional specialization. EMDR providers may include clinical psychologists, mental health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and other practitioners.
Consider the median salaries for various professionals who may offer EMDR therapy, ranging from about $96,000 for psychologists and $54,000 for mental health counselors. The data was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) using figures from May 2023:
- Clinical or counseling psychologist: $96,100
- Mental health and substance use social worker: $55,960
- Mental health counselor: $53,710
BLS growth projections for 2022-32 range from 6% for psychologists to 7% for social workers and 18% for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. All three rates significantly outpace the 3% average growth rate for all professions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an EMDR Therapist
What does EMDR therapy do?
Effective for many different issues, EMDR can be performed on people who are suffering from things like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders and much more.
EMDR utilizes a person's rapid eye movements as a way to treat a variety of conditions. Unlike talk therapy or the use of medications, EMDR allows eye movements to lessen the negative effects of past traumatic events.
Over the course of about ninety minutes, a patient will be asked to follow a therapist's hand motions with their eyes. During these motions, the therapist will have the patient think about the disturbing events that are plaguing them. The thoughts will be directed in a more pleasant direction and this will actually train the brain to think more positively and to let go of past trauma.
Is it worth it to be EMDR certified?
Many practitioners who offer EMDR therapy find certification valuable. Certification may enhance the therapeutic effectiveness of EMDR while inspiring the confidence of your patients.
Can you do EMDR training online?
Yes. Multiple well-known and respected professional organizations offer EMDR training programs with distance-based delivery formats. Beyond online programs, options include self-guided book-based study courses.
How much do EMDR therapists make?
As of August 2024, ZipRecruiter reports an average EMDR therapist salary of approximately $85,000 per year.