How to Choose the Right EMDR Therapist: Why Proper Training Matters
If you’re exploring EMDR therapy in Austin (or anywhere else), you may already know how powerful it can be for healing trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and more. But what many people don’t realize is that not all therapists offering EMDR are trained equally.
Recently, I came across a post in a therapist forum that made me stop and think. Someone asked if they could just read a few EMDR textbooks and then start offering EMDR to clients, calling themselves “EMDR trained.”
Here’s the truth: reading about EMDR is not the same as being properly trained. It’s like asking, “Would you trust a cardiologist who only read a book about heart surgery but never went through medical training or supervised practice?” Most of us would answer with a clear no.
The same principle applies to therapy. Your healing deserves someone who has invested in real, hands-on EMDR training.
What Proper EMDR Training Involves
The gold standard for training comes through EMDRIA-approved programs (EMDRIA stands for the EMDR International Association). These programs are designed to prepare therapists to use EMDR both safely and effectively. Training typically includes:
Education & theory – Learning the research, neurobiology, and protocols that make EMDR effective.
Practice sessions – Trainees both give and receive EMDR under supervision, learning how to adapt the method for different needs.
Consultation – Perhaps the most important piece, where therapists work with an experienced EMDR consultant who helps them navigate real-world cases and ensure they’re practicing ethically and competently.
This blend of knowledge, practice, and mentorship is what ensures EMDR is done well—and most importantly, done safely.
Why This Matters for Clients
EMDR is an evidence-based therapy that can bring lasting relief from trauma, but it is also an intensive process. Trauma work can stir up powerful emotions and memories, and if a therapist hasn’t had the right training, they might move too quickly, miss warning signs, or unintentionally leave a client feeling overwhelmed.
When looking for a therapist, it’s worth asking:
Did you complete an EMDRIA-approved EMDR training?
Did your training include consultation or supervised practice?
Do you continue to receive consultation or advanced EMDR training?
A well-trained EMDR therapist will be transparent about their background and happy to answer these questions.
How to Find a Qualified EMDR Therapist
The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) has a free, searchable directory of therapists who have completed approved training. This is the best place to start if you want confidence that your provider is qualified.
👉 Search the EMDRIA directory here: www.emdria.org/find-a-therapist
If you’re local, you can also search for EMDR therapists in Austin directly in the directory.
Final Thoughts
Just like you wouldn’t choose a doctor who only read about heart surgery, your healing journey deserves a therapist who has received proper EMDR training and consultation. When practiced responsibly, EMDR can be life-changing. By asking the right questions and seeking out EMDRIA-trained therapists, you give yourself the best chance at deep, lasting healing.
If you’re looking for trauma therapy or EMDR therapy in Austin, we would be honored to walk alongside you in your healing process.
Joshua Adair is a compassionate trauma therapist, devoted father, and loving husband who believes in the power of words and connection. As an EMDR Certified Clinician and EMDR Consultant, Joshua is passionate about thorough EMDR education. With a deep love for writing and poetry, Joshua brings warmth and empathy to his work, helping individuals find healing through safe and meaningful therapeutic experiences. He is passionate about creating spaces that allow others to explore, grow, and reconnect with themselves and their loved ones.