Principles Behind EMDR: A Trauma Informed Lens to Psychotherapy

  • 30 Jun 2025
  • 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Virtual Zoom Meeting
  • 95

Registration

  • Reserved for members of the San Diego CAMFT Chapter. (Please make sure your registration information matches your information that we have on file.)
  • Reserved for individuals registering who are not SD CAMFT Chapter Members.
  • Reserved for students.

Register


COURSE DESCRIPTION

While trauma informed therapy has become more salient in mental health, a review of the AIP model that informs EMDR can help clinicians better understand their client's presenting symptoms as possible manifestations of adverse life events that can be important to consider in therapy. Some of these impactful life events may not seem significant on their own or by comparison to criterion A of PTSD in the DSM but may be contributing to why aclient may be feeling stuck in their progress.

This course will cover what it takes to become trained in EMDR therapy, how EMDR has evolved from a technique to an approach to therapy, and how emdr applies to diagnosis beyond PTSD. The course will explore how using the ACE study and other research that demonstrate the impact of adverse life events, including experiences of oppression or marginalization, affect our clients.  

The course will cover the model that informs EMDR therapy and can be useful in becoming a trauma informed therapist. The 4 main researched mechanisms of action behind EMDR therapy will be presented and how these can inform therapy procedures.

Highlights from the research on the effects of eye movements and a brief introduction to the 8 phases and 3 prongs of EMDR therapy approach. The concept of dual attention, the role of cognitions in EMDR, as well as considerations for referrals to an emdr trained therapist will be covered.

This training will NOT prepare participants to use EMDR in their practice, rather, it will help participants understand the adaptive information processing model as a trauma informed approach and to determine when to refer or consider getting trained in EMDR. 

Having a general understanding of the principles behind EMDR therapy can help clinicians consider the impact of client's life events across diagnostic categories for a flexible, client centered approach that considers the impact of societal norms and culture on each.

EDUCATIONAL GOALS

Attendees will be able to understand the evolution of EMDR from a desensitization technique to a trauma informed approach to psychotherapy 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  1. Participants will be able to name the model that informs EMDR and describe 2 key concepts of this model. 

  2. Participants will be able to name the 4 main mechanism of action that inform EMDR therapy

  3.  Participants will be able to explain the rational behind bilateral stimulation and its connection to dual attention.

OUTLINE

  • 9:00 Welcome/Introduction; EMDR training requirements, common misunderstandings about EMDR
  • 9:15 Evolution of EMDR from technique to a therapy approach
  • 9:30 What do we mean by trauma and how the ACE study can inform our case conceptualization
  • 10:05 The Adaptive Information Model
  • 11:00 EMDR's mechanism of action
  • 11:15 Research on the effects of eye movements
  • 11:30 The 3 prongs and 8 phases of EMDR
  • 11:40 The importance of Dual Attention in EMDR
  • 12:15 Main principles of EMDR therapy
  • 12:30 Collaborating with an EMDR therapist
  • 12:45 Summary and Q&A


TARGET AUDIENCE

This event is for mental health professionals.

COST


$60 for Chapter Members

$99 for Non-members

$20 for Students


Refund/Cancellation Policy

Please visit our website: www.camft-sandiego.org/grievance

ACCOMODATIONS & GRIEVANCES

Please email the Education Chair at education@camft-sandiego.org


CERTIFICATES

Course Completion certificates will be awarded electronically in exchange for a completed evaluation form. Please make sure the Program Administrator has your correct email.


Course meets the qualifications for  4 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Partial credit will not be awarded.


Participants must be present, with camera on, for the entire length of the workshop to be awarded credit. Participants will not be given CEU credit if they are more than 15 minutes late and/or do not stay for the entire length of the workshop.


This course is provided by the San Diego Chapter of the California association of marriage and family therapists (Provider #57330) is approved by the California association of marriage and family therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. San Diego chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists maintains responsibility for the program and all its content.


Please email the CEU Chair at ceuchair@camft-sandiego.org

OUR PRESENTER:  Alicia Avila, LCSW, EMDRIA Certified Trainer 


Alicia Avila, MSW, LCSW is a renowned EMDR Institute trainedand consultant with over 30 years of experience in teaching and counseling. Selected and trained to be an EMDR trainer by Dr. Francine Shapiro, Alicia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her trainings. As an immigrant and bilingual therapist, she provides a unique and inclusive perspective to her teaching. Participants find her ability to articulate, organize and simplify EMDR truly refreshing.

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