Start your training with questions answered.

Answers to common questions about our virtual EMDR Basic Training. Registration, payments, CE certificates and consultation scheduling are handled by EMDR Consulting, which offers the training.

What is EMDR therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, eight-phase psychotherapy that uses bilateral stimulation, such as side-to-side eye movements, to help people process distressing memories so they become less vivid and upsetting. It's recognized in treatment guidelines from organizations including the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. Learn more on EMDRIA's About EMDR Therapy page.

Who can take EMDR Basic Training?

Licensed or registered mental health clinicians, pre-licensed clinicians practising under supervision, and graduate students in a practicum or internship. First-year graduate students aren't eligible, and pre-licensed clinicians and students upload supporting documents, including a supervisor's letter, at least 7 days before the training. See Eligibility and EMDRIA's eligibility requirements for details.

How is Basic Training structured?

EMDRIA-approved Basic Training includes at least 50 hours: 20 hours of instruction, 20 hours of supervised practicum and 10 hours of consultation. Our training covers all eight phases of EMDR therapy. See Curriculum.

Will I practise EMDR on my own memories?

Yes. Practice is experiential: in small breakout groups, you take turns as clinician, client and observer, with coaches supporting you. You choose targets that suit a training setting and don't have to share personal details, and the training isn't the place to process major unresolved trauma. Grounding and preparation skills come first. See Curriculum.

Is the virtual training the same as in person?

Yes. It's the same EMDRIA-approved curriculum, taught live on Zoom with demonstrations and supervised practice. See Virtual Learning.

What do I need to join online?

A computer with a working camera and microphone, a stable internet connection that meets Zoom's requirements, and a private, quiet space for practice sessions. You can't join from a phone or tablet. Register with a personal email address, since some workplace systems block Zoom invitations.

Do I need to attend every session?

Yes. Plan to attend every session in full with your camera on. Full attendance is required for your certificate and CE credit, and partial attendance doesn't earn CE credit.

When is the next training?

November 16–18 and 23–24, 2026, 8:00 am–5:30 pm Alberta time (6:00–3:30 US Pacific; 7:00–4:30 BC, Yukon and US Mountain; 8:00–5:30 Saskatchewan and US Central; 9:00–6:30 Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and US Eastern; 10:00–7:30 Atlantic). Registration closes November 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern.

How much does it cost?

$1,595 USD standard, or $1,395 USD for non-profit and community mental health clinicians, students and interns, active duty military, veterans and other groups listed on the registration page. Regular pricing runs through November 6; fees rise $100 from November 7. Pay-in-5 plans and financing options such as Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal and Sezzle are available.

Is the trainer Canadian, and why are fees in US dollars?

Kyle Poon is a Canadian Registered Psychologist (R.Psych) and EMDRIA Approved Trainer based in Edmonton, Alberta. The training is offered through Roy Kiessling's EMDR Consulting, a US company that handles registration and payment, so fees are in US dollars.

How many CE credits will I receive?

40 hours of CE credit, with approvals from NBCC, APA and ASWB ACE (social workers receive 37.5 clinical CE). No CME is offered for physicians. Canadian clinicians should check how their own college or association recognizes continuing education.

Are the consultation hours included?

Yes. The 10 hours of small-group consultation that EMDRIA requires are included in the fee. See Consultation.

Do I need clients to bring to consultation?

It helps. Consultation focuses on using EMDR with real clients: you bring your own EMDR cases for feedback and learn from other clinicians' cases, so it works best if you have clients you can start using EMDR with once the live training days are done.

Will I be certified in EMDR?

No. You'll be an EMDR Trained Clinician, which lets you use EMDR within your scope of practice. EMDRIA Certification is a separate, optional credential. See Training vs. Certification.

I'm already trained. Can I take a refresher?

Yes. You can attend as a refresher participant at a reduced fee. Consultation isn't included with the refresher option.

What if I need to cancel?

EMDR Consulting's policy: 14 or more days before the start, a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee, or one free transfer; 4 to 13 days before, a 25% refund or a $125 transfer; within 72 hours or no-show, no refund and a $150 transfer fee. Transfers are valid for 12 months. Check the registration page for the current policy.

How long do I have to finish?

You have 12 months from your start date to complete the 10 consultation hours and the EMDRIA learner assessment.

How can I prepare?

EMDR Consulting shares a recommended reading list and short video modules on EMDR theory on its Preparing for your Training page, and EMDRIA's About EMDR Therapy page is a good primer.

Who is the trainer?

Kyle Poon, R.Psych, an EMDRIA Approved Trainer and Consultant based in Edmonton, Alberta, and the creator of the Calm with Kyle YouTube channel. Meet Kyle.

More questions? Email kyle.poon@kppsychological.com, or see EMDR Consulting's training FAQs and EMDRIA's training FAQs. Ready to register? See the November 2026 training.