EMDR Basic Training
Since 1995, Dr. Wendy Freitag, PhD has trained mental health professionals locally and internationally through the EMDR Institute. After serving for decades as a Facilitator and Logistician, she became an EMDR Institute Regional Trainer in 2017 and advanced to Senior Trainer in 2018. She is deeply committed to supporting clinicians as they build confidence, competence, and clinical mastery in EMDR therapy.
Milwaukee – EMDR Institute Regional Training:
​In-Person* With Live Stream Via Zoom Available.
Weekend 1: March 26-28, 2026 (New Date)
Weekend 2: July 16-18, 2026
Weekend 1: July 30 – August 1, 2026
Weekend 2: November 5 – 7, 2026
Please note that you must sign up for either the Spring or Fall Cycle. You are not able to do the
Weekend 1 in one cycle and the Weekend 2 in a different cycle.
*In-Person Training option is held at UWM’s School of Continuing Education in downtown Milwaukee.
EMDR Therapy Basic Training
My Regional EMDR Therapy Basic Training is designed for clinicians who want to learn how to
effectively integrate EMDR therapy into their clinical practice. The training offers a safe,
supportive, and personalized learning environment that includes lecture, videotaped
demonstrations, case discussion, supervised experiential practice, and ongoing consultation.
This two-part EMDR Institute Basic Training curriculum is inspired and approved by Francine
Shapiro, PhD, the originator of EMDR therapy. Considered the gold standard in EMDR training,
the Institute’s curriculum is time-tested, research-informed, and fully approved by the EMDR
International Association (EMDRIA).
Primary Objectives:
Weekend One Objectives
- Name 2 websites that list research relevant to EMDR therapy
- List 3 types of client’s presenting issues that have been successfully treated with EMDR therapy
- Name 3 proposed mechanisms of action in EMDR therapy
- Describe an important premise of the Adaptive Information Processing model
- List the components of memory
- Name the 8 phases of EMDR therapy
- Identify the prongs of the Three-Pronged Protocol of EMDR therapy
- Describe 3 criteria on the Client Readiness Checklist
- Distinguish between Direct Questioning and the Floatback technique during Phase 1 History Taking and Treatment Planning
- List the informational plateaus
- Distinguish between state change and trait change in EMDR therapy
- Describe one purpose for Safe/Calm State utilization
- Identify the purpose of the Assessment Phase of EMDR therapy
- Identify the purpose of utilizing the SUD scale and what it stands for
- Describe when to return to target in Phase 4 Desensitization
- Identify the purpose of the VOC scale and what it stands for
- Describe how to conduct the Phase 6 Body Scan
- Describe three strategies for assisting a client to stay within the window of tolerance
- Describe how to resume reprocessing following an incomplete target memory
- Describe when you would apply the Future Template
Weekend Two Objectives
- Distinguish between a client’s presenting problems and underlying issues
- Describe 3 strategies to treat complex trauma-related disorders
- Identify 2 internal and external resources that clients need to have in place to do reprocessing
- Describe 3 client factors that indicate the need for additional stabilization and resourcing
- Describe the 3 different types of resources used in Resource Development and Installation
- Distinguish between EMD, restricted reprocessing, and the EMDR standard protocol
- Identify 2 clinical situations where EMD would be appropriate as an intervention
- Distinguish between a recent traumatic experience and developmental trauma
- Identify when you would initially target a recent past experience versus a touchstone memory
- Describe a process to select and prioritize targets appropriate for EMDR treatment
- Describe how to offer a cognitive interweave when the client’s reprocessing is blocked
- Describe 3 strategies for dealing with highly emotional responses
- Describe 3 ways that EMDR therapy facilitates cultural responsiveness
- Name 3 adverse cultural experiences that can contribute to maladaptive memory networks
- Distinguish when to use memory reprocessing versus psychological first aid with grief-related issues
- Distinguish between a simple phobia and a process phobia
- Describe 2 clinical symptoms that may indicate the presence of dissociation during a session
- Describe 3 strategies for working with dissociative responses during reprocessing
- Identify three clinical choices (past/present/future) for where to start reprocessing with addictions and compulsions
- Identify one category of experiences appropriate for reprocessing with combat veterans
Course Structure:
The full training consists of:
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20 hours of didactic instruction
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20 hours of supervised small-group practice
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10 hours of case consultation
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Each training weekend includes 10 hours of lecture and videotaped demonstrations, along with 10 hours of supervised experiential practice. Participants engage in experiential learning, rotating roles as clinician and client, with direct observation and feedback.
Case Consultation:
Case consultation is provided in a safe, professional environment that supports continued learning, further development of EMDR therapy skills, and confident integration of EMDR therapy into clinical practice. The sessions are offered via videoconferencing, minimizing disruption to participants’ clinical schedules. Individualized instruction and constructive feedback are provided on participants’ real cases. Topics include, but are not limited to:
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Application of EMDR therapy procedural steps
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Case conceptualization and formulation
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Development of a structured treatment plan, including target selection
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Assessing client readiness
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Addressing common challenges that arise when learning a new therapy
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Integrating EMDR therapy into an overall treatment plan and clinical practice
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Celebrating clinical successes
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Required Readings: This list needs to be updated