Feeling Unsure After EMDR Basic Training? You’re Not Alone.
(And you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.)
If you’ve completed your EMDR basic training and are sitting there thinking…
“Wait… am I doing this right?”
“What if I mess something up?”
“I understand it in theory, but it feels different with real clients…”
I want you to know something clearly:
THIS IS SO NORMAL!
Honestly, it makes sense.
Why EMDR Can Feel So Tricky After Training
EMDR is one of those modalities that can feel clear in a training room… and much less clear in the therapy room.
Because it’s not just about:
Following steps
Memorizing phases
Or using bilateral stimulation
It’s about:
Tracking a client’s nervous system in real time
Knowing when to move forward and when to slow down
Sitting with uncertainty while still holding the structure
It’s a lot.
Especially when you’re just starting to put it into practice.
The Part No One Talks About (Enough)
Many therapists leave EMDR training feeling:
Overwhelmed
Unsure about reprocessing
Afraid of “opening something up” they can’t contain
Doing harm to the client
Confused about what to do when things don’t go as expected
Worried they’re “doing it wrong”
So what happens?
You might:
Stay in preparation phases longer than needed
Avoid reprocessing altogether
Second-guess your instincts in session
Or quietly stop using EMDR, even if you were excited about it
Not because you’re not capable. There is a large percentage of therapists who train in EMDR, but never apply it.
Sometimes the things written above happen because:
You need more time to practice
You need more time to hone your new skills
You need guidance as you begin apply it.
To me, consulting was an imperative part of getting better at and more confident in EMDR.
In reality, when we are learning and practicing something new….
You’re Not Supposed to Feel Fully Confident Yet
(Sorry to burst your bubble!)
This might be the most important part:
EMDR is not meant to be mastered in a 2 weekend training.
(Nor is any modality for that matter!)
EMDR is a modality that deepens with:
Practice
Reflection
Consultation
And real-time support when things feel unclear
Feeling unsure doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
It means you’re in the learning process.
Why Consultation Matters (More Than You Think)
Good EMDR consultation isn’t about being evaluated or judged.
It’s about having a space where you can:
Ask the “Is this okay?” questions
Talk through stuck points in sessions
Slow down and really understand the protocol
Build confidence in your clinical decisions
It helps you move from:
“I think I’m doing this right?”
to
“I know why I’m doing this & I trust it.”
A Different Kind of Consultation Space
If you’ve been hesitant to reach out for consultation, I get it.
It can feel vulnerable to say:
“I don’t understand this part”
“I’m avoiding reprocessing”
“I feel lost in sessions sometimes”
The consultation spaces I offer are:
Warm and collaborative
Non-judgmental
Grounded in curiosity (not perfection)
Focused on helping you think, not just telling you what to do
You don’t have to show up polished.
You can show up exactly where you are.
And I want you to know… I showed up confused; I showed up not always being clear on all 8 phases of the model; I showed up not certain where to start.
There is nothing wrong with that.
But, if you know you need support, it’s ethical to seek it.
Let’s Talk About Reprocessing (Gently)
If reprocessing feels intimidating, you’re not alone in that either.
Many therapists worry about:
Clients becoming overwhelmed
Not knowing how to intervene
What are these interweave things?
“Doing harm” by getting it wrong
In consultation, we slow this down.
We look at:
How to assess readiness
How to pace effectively
What to do when processing loops, blocks, or intensifies
How to trust the process while staying attuned to your client
You don’t have to jump in blindly.
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
EMDR can become one of the most powerful tools in your clinical work.
But it’s not meant to be done in isolation.
If you’re:
Newly trained
Feeling unsure
Avoiding certain phases
Or just wanting to deepen your understanding
Consultation can make a meaningful difference—not just in your confidence, but in your clients’ outcomes too.
Interested in EMDR Consultation?
I offer individual and small group EMDR consultation for therapists who want a space to:
Ask questions openly
Build confidence in reprocessing
Deepen their understanding of the EMDR model
Feel more grounded in session
You don’t need to have it all figured out before reaching out.
That’s what consultation is for.
If part of you is thinking,
“I should probably know this already…”
I want to gently offer:
You’re allowed to still be learning.
You’re allowed to ask questions.
And you’re allowed to get support along the way.
