5 Things to Consider: selecting an EMDR therapy consultant.
Choosing to pursue further consultation and EMDR therapy can be a major professional investment. Between the time that you take in attending consultation hours, and the actual cost of paying for consultation, selecting an EMDR therapy consultant deserves much thought and consideration. Here are five things to consider when selecting your EMDR therapy consultant as you pursue further understanding of EMDR therapy or take steps towards your goals to become a certified EMDR therapist.
1.Consider referrals from EMDR therapists that you trust and respect.
Therapists build reputations in their professional communities, and these reputations do matter. As you consider selecting an EMDR consultant, it is worth asking around amongst your professional colleagues to get a feel for which EMDR therapist and consultants in your area may be respected, specialize in certain areas, and offering services that you are interested in. Some clinicians choose to stay locally when picking an EMDR therapy consultant, in an effort to expand their professional networks. This is a great option to consider for some. Others have specific expertise that they are looking to develop and find that they are better able to meet their professional goals by accessing the expertise of EMDR therapy consultants outside of their area. It can be important to consider the pros and cons of both.
2. Interview EMDR therapy consultants to find a good fit for you. Consultation is built off of a professional relationship that you have with the EMDR therapy consultant that you select. It is important that you feel safe to learn with the EMDR therapy consultant that you choose. Learning can be a vulnerable process. Asking for a short phone conversation, zoom call, or email correspondence to learn more about the style of consultation of the EMDR consultant, the manner in which they conduct consultation, and general personality type of an EMDR therapy consultant is absolutely appropriate and encouraged. Remember, you are the customer in the situation, and being an informed consumer of the investment that you are putting into your professional growth is respectable and it should be honored.
3. Think about your long-term goals and potential EMDR therapy niches that you would like to develop. Based on the standards for EMDRIA certification, the focus of EMDR therapy consultation for certification is largely based on the accurate and proficient understanding of implementing standard protocol with a variety of clients. However, if you know that you specialize in a certain area, desire to develop a certain niche, or have a certain population that you serve most frequently, it can be extremely valuable to select an EMDR consultant that has expertise and knowledge in those specific areas. You are choosing a professional to help foster your growth and refine your skills in EMDR therapy, and finding an EMDR consultant with similar goals, practice areas, and expertise is a great way to intentionally invest in your desired professional goals.
4. Know your learning style and the type of setting that you will learn best. Knowing your learning style and advocating for the manner in which you will retain information best is imperative to optimizing the investment that you are making in your pursuit of EMDR therapy certification or consultation. While group consultation may be the most affordable route to achieving EMDR certification, not everyone learns well in a group setting. Some people have specific desired niches or skill sets that they would like to refine, that may not be appropriate for or optimized in a generalist group setting. Others may learn best from the examples of another clinician. Some EMDR therapy consultants require or encourage video recordings of sessions, while others do case consultations or more lecture-style reviews of EMDR therapy protocols. Talk to your potential EMDR therapy consultant about your learning style, the way that you would hope to be evaluated, and how they may be able to help you best.
5. Don’t be afraid to change things up. EMDRIA permits individuals to collect consultation hours from several different EMDR therapy consultants during the certification process. It is absolutely OK and even encouraged at times to seek consultation and expertise from multiple EMDR consultants. If you are not pleased with your first attempt at gaining EMDR therapy consultation, look for other options. If you have a niche that you would like to develop, seek specific consultation in that area. Be in charge of your learning and advocate for your learning as you invest in yourself, your practice, and your clients.
If you are interested in discussing your EMDR therapy goals and would like to see if we may be a good fit for a consultation relationship. Let’s talk! Check out EMDR consultation services here.
Click here to learn more about the EMDRIA consultation process.
