I have been amazed at how many therapists who have taken the EMDR Basic Training Part 1 have never followed up with the 5 hour consultation. The same holds true for many who also completed Part 2. Some have said they could not afford the consultation fees (more on that later), while others have said they tried implementing EMDR in their practice, but were not comfortable enough with the process so they decided not to pursue it. That is precisely why consultation is so helpful. Starting practitioners often suffer from “Phase 4 phobia” – you know, that fear that you’ll “blow up” your client. A consultant can guide you through the 8 phases, keeping you on track with the Basic Protocol and helping you to see how safe and simple it is to use. In my own experience, I had the benefit of an intelligent, experienced and patient EMDR consultant. He gave me valuable and straightforward feedback regarding my use of EMDR with clients. This enabled me to stretch my skill set, which in turn greatly benefitted my clients. As a consultant, I the respect the knowledge and experience of my consultees as I assist them in easing their way through the 8 phases. You will find yourself having quite a few “Wow” of “Aha” moments, as will your clients.
As I mentioned earlier, some trainees do not seek consultation because of cost. Fee schedules vary and can be very affordable, especially when package deals are offered. Getting certified is well worth it and need not be expensive – at all. You can comparison shop, but remember, the most important thing is that you get what you need.