Rethinking EMDR: A Group Program for EMDR Therapists
When most people think of EMDR therapy, they picture one-on-one sessions unfolding in a therapy room. But EMDR can also be meaningfully delivered in a group setting – maintaining client privacy while offering the shared strength of a collective experience.
Group EMDR therapy is unfamiliar to many – therapists included. It’s common to wonder how EMDR can be delivered to several people at once, and whether participants are expected to share what they’re working on. In reality, group EMDR therapy is structured to protect privacy while supporting deep personal work in a safe, confidential space.
It’s a compelling, cost-effective, and inclusive format that can reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression – and in some cases, more quickly than individual therapy. Group formats can also help reduce waitlists and financial barriers, making EMDR more accessible to those who need it most.
Why start with EMDR therapists?
At my practice, Mindful Living, we’ve developed a Group EMDR Program specifically for EMDR therapists – a first of its kind globally. Why? Because therapists also need the space to reflect, process, and reconnect with their own wellbeing. Whether it’s working through a professional block, addressing a personal issue, or simply being curious about what group-based EMDR involves, this program offers a safe and structured opportunity to do so.
We also recognised that group EMDR therapy remains unfamiliar – even among EMDR-trained clinicians. To build broader awareness and trust in this format, we realised it made sense to begin with therapists. Experiencing group EMDR firsthand not only supports personal wellbeing and confidence, but also enables therapists to:
Speak more confidently with clients about this method of EMDR delivery
Refer clients to group-based EMDR programs
Consider incorporating group EMDR into their own clinical work
Program Overview
Delivered via Zoom over three weekly 2-hour sessions, and facilitated by two experienced EMDR therapists from our team, the program draws on elements of the EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (IGTP), attachment-informed EMDR, and art therapy.
Each session begins with resourcing (such as installing a calm place and internal resource team), followed by private reprocessing using self-administered bilateral stimulation and structured drawing. There is no sharing of target content, which helps ensure privacy and emotional safety.
Common themes that participants choose to work on include:
Feeling hesitant or stuck when using EMDR with clients
Processing vicarious trauma
Addressing personal stressors or unresolved issues
Benefits of the Group EMDR Program
The group format offers EMDR therapists a practical way to engage in their own therapeutic work in a safe, time-limited setting – without needing to commit to ongoing therapy. It supports self-reflection and emotional processing while providing an embodied understanding of the EMDR phases from the client’s perspective.
Therapists who’ve participated in the group often report:
Increased confidence in using EMDR with clients
Relief from stress, burnout, or vicarious trauma
Greater clarity and momentum in their clinical work
A clearer understanding of how group-based EMDR works
A reduction in emotional distress and an increase in overall wellbeing
Visit the Mindful Living website to learn more or register for an upcoming group intake.
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.
