How to Find a Qualified EMDR Therapist (and What to Ask Before You Start)
Finding the right EMDR therapist can make all the difference in your healing process.
While EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based approach proven to help with trauma, anxiety, and stress-related symptoms, the effectiveness of the therapy depends greatly on the therapist’s level of training, experience, and ability to create safety in the room.
Because EMDR has become increasingly popular in recent years, many clinicians now incorporate it into their work—but not all have completed the same level of training. Understanding what those levels mean, and what to look for when choosing a provider, can help ensure you receive care that’s both effective and attuned to your needs.
Below, we’ll walk through what EMDR training involves, how to verify a therapist’s credentials, and what questions to ask before you begin.
Table of Contents
Why EMDR Training and Experience Matter
EMDR therapy involves much more than following a protocol—it requires a deep understanding of how trauma affects the nervous system, memory, and sense of safety. A well-trained EMDR therapist knows how to pace the work, recognize when a client’s system is overwhelmed, and adapt the process to each person’s readiness.
Proper training helps ensure EMDR is used in a way that’s collaborative and supportive, rather than re-triggering. This foundation is especially important for clients healing from complex or developmental trauma, where safety and stabilization must come before reprocessing.
How EMDR Therapists Are Trained
Because EMDR has become more widely known, many providers are eager to learn. Some clinicians take brief continuing education courses or workshops that introduce EMDR concepts but do not qualify as formal EMDR training. True EMDR training requires completing an EMDRIA-approved Basic Training, which includes both education and hands-on consultation.
When a therapist completes EMDRIA-approved training, they’ve participated in an in-depth, supervised learning process that covers trauma theory, neurobiology, ethical use of EMDR, and the eight-phase protocol. This ensures they can apply EMDR safely and adaptively across different clinical needs.
To help the public identify qualified providers, the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) offers digital badges for therapists who have earned specific credentials—such as EMDR Certified Therapist, EMDR Consultant, or EMDR Trainer. These badges are verified through EMDRIA and can be displayed on professional websites or profiles as proof of completed, EMDRIA-recognized training and certification.
If you’re unsure about a therapist’s training, it’s perfectly appropriate to ask. Look for language like “EMDRIA-Approved Training,” “EMDR Certified Therapist,” or confirmation that they receive consultation from an EMDRIA Consultant or Consultant-in-Training. Seeing an EMDRIA digital badge or mention of verified credentials is a strong indicator that the therapist has received comprehensive, recognized training.
Understanding EMDR Training Levels
After completing an EMDRIA-approved Basic Training, therapists can pursue additional levels of credentialing to deepen their expertise and demonstrate ongoing commitment to quality care. The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) recognizes several professional milestones that reflect a therapist’s training, experience, and leadership within the EMDR community.
EMDR Basic Trained Therapist
These clinicians have completed EMDRIA-approved Basic Training and are qualified to provide EMDR therapy under consultation of an EMDRIA Consultant. They have been trained in all eight phases of EMDR and understand how to use the method safely and ethically.EMDR Certified Therapist
Certification reflects a higher level of training and experience. These therapists must be licensed, have completed at least 20 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA Consultant, and conducted a minimum of 50 EMDR sessions with clients. They demonstrate skillful use of EMDR across a variety of clinical presentations.Consultant-in-Training (CIT)
Certified Therapists may choose to pursue Consultant status. As Consultants-in-Training, they continue receiving guidance from an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant while also beginning to provide EMDR consultation to other therapists under supervision.EMDR Consultant
Consultants have extensive experience providing EMDR therapy and guiding other professionals in its application. They serve as mentors and supervisors, ensuring that EMDR is delivered with fidelity, safety, and compassion.EMDR Trainer
EMDRIA-Approved Trainers are leaders in the field who teach Basic and Advanced Trainings, helping shape the next generation of EMDR practitioners.
Each level represents increasing mastery and responsibility, ensuring EMDR is practiced with the depth, care, and clinical precision it deserves.
Questions to Ask Before Starting EMDR Therapy
Finding a therapist who feels like the right fit is just as important as finding someone qualified. EMDR works best when you feel safe, supported, and comfortable with your therapist’s approach. Here are a few simple questions that can help guide your decision:
“What kind of EMDR training have you completed?”
You’ll want to make sure your therapist has completed EMDRIA-approved training, not just a short intro course or workshop.“How do you know when someone’s ready to start EMDR?”
A good EMDR therapist won’t rush into reprocessing. They’ll spend time helping you build grounding tools and a sense of safety first.“Do you blend EMDR with other types of therapy?”
Many therapists combine EMDR with somatic work, mindfulness, or attachment-based approaches to create a more personalized experience.“What does an EMDR session look like with you?”
Every therapist has a slightly different style. Asking this helps you get a sense of the pace, structure, and overall feel of sessions.“Do you offer EMDR in person, online, or both?”
EMDR can be effective in either setting, so it’s helpful to know what options they provide and how they support clients during virtual sessions.
These kinds of questions aren’t about putting a therapist on the spot—they’re about helping you feel informed and confident. The right therapist will welcome your curiosity and take the time to explain their process in a way that feels clear and collaborative.
Where to Find an EMDR Therapist
Once you’re ready to start exploring EMDR therapy, it helps to know where to find therapists who are fully trained and qualified.
A great place to begin is the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) Directory. This directory lists therapists who have completed EMDRIA-approved training and includes details about their certification level, location, and specialties. It’s one of the most reliable ways to confirm that a therapist is properly trained to provide EMDR therapy.
You can also look on Psychology Today or similar directories and filter for “EMDR Certified” or “EMDR Trained” therapists. As you read through profiles, pay attention to how a therapist describes their work. Mentions of trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, or somatic integration often signal a thoughtful and grounded EMDR approach.
If you’re located in Redondo Beach or the South Bay area, our team at Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates offers EMDR therapy both in person and online throughout California. I am an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant-in-Training (CIT) and my team is EMDR-trained and supported through consultation and supervision, ensuring that every client receives compassionate, EMDRIA-informed care.
Final Thoughts
Wherever you begin, the right therapist will help make the EMDR process feel safe, collaborative, and at your pace. Healing takes time—and it’s not about doing it perfectly, but about feeling supported along the way.
A qualified EMDR therapist doesn’t just guide you through the technique; they help you stay grounded, attuned, and connected to yourself throughout the process. Whether the focus is trauma, anxiety, or patterns that feel hard to shift, EMDR offers a path toward balance and relief that honors both mind and body.
At Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates, our therapists are EMDR-trained and supported through ongoing consultation to provide trauma-informed, EMDRIA-approved care. If you’re ready to explore EMDR therapy, we’d be honored to help you take that next step—either in person in Redondo Beach or online anywhere in California.
Until next time, don’t forget to take care of yourself.
— Catherine Alvarado, LMFT
About the Author
I’m Catherine Alvarado, LMFT #134744 — a Licensed Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, EMDR Certified Therapist, and Consultant-in-Training based in Redondo Beach, California. My work centers on helping people reconnect with themselves through mind–body approaches that address what the nervous system has been holding. I work with teens, adults, and families navigating anxiety, panic, trauma, and the lingering effects of stress.
As the founder of Catherine Alvarado, LMFT & Associates and co-founder of Eunoia Wellness Studio, I bring together evidence-based therapy and a deeply relational approach. My practice offers individual therapy, EMDR intensives, adjunct EMDR, couples therapy, and family therapy—both in person in Redondo Beach and online throughout California.
My work is guided by compassion, curiosity, and a belief that healing becomes possible when we feel safe enough to explore our inner world. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a free phone consultation, you can reach out through the contact page.
