Eligibility criteria
EMDR is an advanced psychotherapy requiring a high level of clinical skill.
It is essential that you have core training in mental health and adequate clinical skills before undertaking EMDR training.
All EMDR Europe Accredited training providers will require you to provide evidence that you are accredited by one of the professional associations deemed acceptable by EMDR Europe.
If you train (or have trained) with a trainer that is not accredited with EMDR Europe, you cannot become a member of EMDR UK or apply for accreditation. Dr Button is an EMDR Europe Approved Trainer.
Eligibility to attend Dr Button EMDR Trainings is restricted to:
- Mental health professionals
- Clinical Psychologists (HCPC)
- Counselling Psychologists (Registered with HCPC)
- Educational Psychologists (Registered with HCPC)
- Forensic Psychologists (Registered with HCPC)
- Psychiatrists
-
- MRCPsych or equivalent (including Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training in any psychiatric speciality)
- Alternatively:
a) Complete both long and short psychotherapy cases (and)
b) Equivalent of three years full-time psychiatric experience (and)
c) Letter confirming above from line manager and sent to EMDR Training Provider
Registered Mental Health Nurses (NMC), Registered Learning Disability Nurses (NMC), Arts Psychotherapists (HCPC), Occupational Therapists (HCPC) and Registered Social Workers who:
- Have mental health training, can recognise and assess common mental health problems and have experience of working in a mental health setting.
- Have training and a minimum of two years’ experience of providing one-to-one psychotherapy, in addition to their professional training.
- Have provided a reference from their clinical supervisor confirming the above.
Counsellors / Psychotherapists
MUST hold FULL accreditation by one of the following professional bodies:
- BABCP
- BACP
- UKCP
- British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
- National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society Accredited Professional (NCPS Accredited Professional) grade
- Federation of Drug and Alcohol Practitioners (FDAP) who are NCAC accredited.
- Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP)
- COSCA
- COSRT
Clinical and Counselling Psychology Trainees
Candidates should be in their final year of a full-time practitioner doctoral training approved by the British Psychological Society, with a letter of recommendation from their clinical supervisor. They are eligible to begin the Standard EMDR Europe course but cannot fully complete it until their registration with HCPC is confirmed. Ratified by the EMDR Association UK, June 2023
All applicants must have a significant proportion of their current primary role delivering 1-1 psychotherapy.
All applicants must have the full support of their clinical supervisor to attend the training.
All applicants must have access to training cases for the duration of the course.
Please note: NHS England now has additional supervision, eligibility and competence requirements for EMDR therapists working in their service. Please read THIS and THIS before applying for training.
For full Eligibility Criteria, please check EMDR UK website.
“I am dedicated to equipping mental health professionals with the tools and expertise to unlock the profound healing potential of EMDR therapy. Together, we can empower change – one client, one discovery, one life transformed at a time.”
