EMDRAA accreditation: More than just a box to tick

9 July

EMDR accreditation can feel confusing at times. I often hear questions like, “what’s the difference between being a full EMDRAA member and becoming accredited?” or “is it really worth doing?”

The short answer is yes, because while accreditation is a formal recognition of your competence in EMDR therapy, it’s also a thoughtful and reflective process that supports long-term professional growth. Some therapists see accreditation as a box to tick, but in my experience, it’s much more than that.

It’s a valuable, structured way to deepen your EMDR practice, grow your confidence, and reflect on your identity as an EMDR therapist. It’s also a chance to step back, identify any blind spots, consolidate your skills, and ensure that the EMDR you're offering your clients aligns with best practice.

Becoming an Accredited EMDR Practitioner

In Australia, the first step beyond being a full EMDRAA member is becoming an Accredited EMDR Practitioner. This credential is more than a title; it reflects your competence across all eight phases of EMDR therapy, as assessed by an Accredited EMDR Consultant. It’s a milestone that acknowledges your capabilities while also helping you identify areas for growth. More importantly, it ensures that you’re offering the highest quality care to your clients.

To qualify as an Accredited EMDR Practitioner, you need to:

Complete the EMDR Basic Training Program (Part 1 and 2 training, and 10 hours of consultation)
Have at least one year of experience using EMDR since completing the EMDR Basic Training Program
Be a full member of EMDRAA
Conduct a minimum of 50 EMDR therapy sessions with at least 25 clients since commencing EMDR training
Complete an additional 10 hours of consultation with an Accredited Consultant (beyond the initial 10 hours for EMDR Basic Training)
Demonstrate competency in the eight phases of the EMDR standard protocol, assessed through consultation sessions and observation of your clinical work, including reviewing a video of an EMDR therapy session
Obtain two references: one from your Accredited EMDR Consultant and another from a professional colleague who can vouch for your EMDR clinical practice.

Becoming an Accredited EMDR Consultant

Some therapists take things further and pursue Accredited Consultant status. Consultants play a pivotal role in the EMDR community by offering guidance, supervision, and support to other EMDR therapists, including those working toward accreditation.

It’s a step that requires not only deep clinical expertise but also a genuine commitment to mentoring others. It takes considerable time and effort to reach this professional milestone, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You can support and mentor the next generation of EMDR therapists. Offering EMDR consultation is also a great way to diversify your professional work beyond one-to-one therapy.

To become an Accredited EMDR Consultant, you need to:

Have been an Accredited EMDR Practitioner for at least two years.
Conduct at least 300 EMDR sessions with a minimum of 75 clients since becoming an Accredited Practitioner
Complete 20 hours of consultation with an Accredited Consultant (beyond the initial 10 hours for EMDR Basic Training and the 10 hours of consultation to become an Accredited EMDR Practitioner)
Undertake a minimum of 30 hours of EMDR-related professional development.
Demonstrate competency in the eight phases of the EMDR standard protocol, skills in using EMDR with a range of client populations, and skills in providing individual and group EMDR consultation
Submit three videos for assessment: one EMDR therapy session, one individual consultation session, and one group consultation session
Obtain two references: one from your Accredited EMDR Consultant and another from a professional colleague who can vouch for your EMDR clinical practice.

Find out more about what’s involved

I have an EMDR accreditation page on my website that includes a clear overview of the accreditation requirements, FAQs, short videos where I talk through the process for the two levels of accreditation, and links to the application forms. Whether you're currently working towards accreditation or just starting to think about it, you're very welcome to take a look.

Facing the process with curiosity (and a bit of courage)

Let’s be honest, videoing your sessions and watching them back can feel a bit cringey. It brings back memories of early training days and awkward learning curves. But within that discomfort lies an opportunity: to gain genuine insight into your practice and strengthen the therapeutic work you do every day.

Accreditation isn’t about perfection, it’s about progression. It gives you the chance to reflect, receive tailored support and feedback, and refine and extend your EMDR therapy skills. It’s a great way to identify gaps in your EMDR learning, so that you can focus your sessions with your EMDR consultant in a meaningful way that is tailored toward your unique professional needs.

How I can help

One of the most fulfilling parts of my work is supporting EMDR therapists on their path to accreditation. Through individual and group consultation sessions, I aim to simplify and demystify the accreditation process, making it more accessible and less overwhelming.

Whether you’re working toward becoming an Accredited Practitioner or Consultant, I offer a supportive space to ask questions, review casework, and build your confidence at your own pace.

I offer small group accreditation-focused consultation sessions designed specifically for the accreditation process. These online sessions aim to make the requirements feel clearer and more manageable, while helping therapists feel more confident and prepared to submit their application. With a maximum of four participants per group, each person receives personalised guidance and support.

You’re also welcome to book a 3-session bundle of 2-hour accreditation-focused group consults. Each session includes at least 30 minutes of individualised time, and the bundle package (priced at $525) offers a $60 saving compared to booking group sessions separately. You have up to two years to use the sessions, allowing flexibility around your own timeline.

I'm Caroline Burrows, an Accredited EMDR Trainer and Consultant. I’m passionate about bridging the gap between EMDR training and clinical practice. If you're looking to learn EMDR therapy for the first time, enhance your EMDR skills, or navigate challenges in your EMDR clinical work, I offer training workshops, on-demand webinars, and consultation. I would love to support your EMDR learning journey.