EMDR Professional Training

Program Abstract/ Program Description 

The EMDR Standard Protocol often requires many adaptations when working with clients who have neuro-unique systems. Neurodiverse clients have often experienced narcissistic abuse or other complex trauma. EMDR Therapy can be very successful with autistic clients and all clients included under the neurodivergent umbrella. However, you may run into barriers that will slow or undermine your client’s healing process if not prepared to evaluate the need for special considerations when providing EMDR Therapy. This course is designed to help clinicians learn how to assess sensory processing needs, narcissistic abuse syndrome, disturbance of self-organization, and the related atypical traumas. Develop a 3-prong, client-centered treatment plan that accommodates the special needs of these clients. Efficiently target and move through memory mega clusters. Effectively work with talkative clients or clients in crisis. Be prepared to utilize the EMDR Sensitive Approach and know what EMDR Standard Protocol Adaptations may be needed in every phase and prong of EMDR therapy.

The EMDR Sensitive Approach covers adaptations for all 8 phases and 3 prongs of the EMDR Standard Protocol. It will help you identify clients that would benefit from the Sensitive Approach. There will be an emphasis on working with clients who meet the level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder criteria; however, many adaptations for this population can be generalized. We will discuss a non-pathological conceptualization of the neurodivergent client that goes beyond our current DSM criteria perspective. Current research and social trends will be explored, including moving away from the concepts and terms such as “Disorder” and towards conceptualizing Autism as a “Condition, Diversity, Difference, Sensitivity, and/or Disability” when appropriate. With disorders we look for a cure, and with differences and disabilities we look to accept and support (and even celebrate). 

When looking at using The EMDR Sensitive Approach with complex case presentations, there may be roots in dysfunctional childhood attachment or it may have developed in adulthood and have hints of behavioral addiction.  They often have what researchers call Disturbance of Self-Organization (DOS), the cluster of symptoms the WHO added to the PTSD criteria when they identified C-PTSD as a diagnosis. EMDR Therapy can get bogged down by linked negative and positive emotions that create the “push/pull” we often see in clients with addictions. These clients are often deeply invested in their blocking beliefs and can at times feel almost brainwashed. They may present with memory “mega clusters” of non-criminal neglect and thousands of small adverse life events that undermined their self-esteem and self-worth. This therapeutic process often gets hijacked by the crisis of the week. Clinicians may feel overwhelmed by their client’s presenting complaints, or they may wonder why this very “put together” person is seeking services. EMDR therapists may ineffectively end up targeting symptoms versus having a clear picture of the underlying memory network. This advanced training is designed to broaden your EMDR skills so that you can take an organized yet organic approach with your clients’ reprocessing. You will learn how to: Maximize the window of tolerance for clients who are living in an active traumatic circumstance.  Work effectively with talkative clients. Learn how to navigate memory mega clusters.  Identify the unique risk factors and common trauma targets found in this population. 

We will discuss a non-pathological conceptualization of the clients who have experienced Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome and may have maladaptive personality traits. We will touch on the Continuum of Narcissism that goes beyond our current DSM criteria perspective. Current research and social trends will be explored. Most importantly, we will work to accelerate your clinical attunement and adaptability so that you will be able to meet complex clients’ individual needs. The utmost care will be taken to stay grounded in the evidence based EMDR Standard Protocol while providing extensive adaptations in EMDR Therapy to accommodate the various complexities of these clients’ clinical presentations.  

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1.Describe how adaptations to the EMDR Standard Protocol are appropriate based on individual clients’ needs related to their sensitivities and neurodiversity. 

2. Describe pathological demand avoidance (PDA). 

3. Describe a common adaptation that needs to be established early in the therapeutic relationship. 

4. Identify at least three adaptations in the EMDR Sensitive Approach that can be used when stuck in reprocessing. 

5. Distinguish between dissociation, abreaction, and sensory overload. 

6. Recognize presenting patterns in undiagnosed clients, diagnostic overshadowing, and masking.

7. Identify clients with Disturbance of Self-Organization (DOS) due to Narcissist Abuse (complex trauma). 

8. Establish the necessary therapeutic relationship with this population, which is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, to have a successful outcome in EMDR Therapy.  

9. Identify at least one of the unique risks trauma clients with narcissistic abuse face. 

10. Describe how maladaptive personality traits can be accepted and accommodated in the therapeutic process.

11. Explain how to initiate EMDR Therapy with talkative clients in crisis while staying grounded in the evidence based standard protocol.

12. Identify at least three adaptations that can be used when overwhelmed or stuck in reprocessing with memory mega clusters. 

Schedule 

See the Zoom Link information in this course to connect on Zoom the day of training.

Friday, November 14th and Saturday, November 15th, 2025

Please note:  This course meets in Pacific Standard Time.  Please adjust times according to your timezone.