EMDRIA- Approved EMDR Basic Training

Part One: February 20-22, 2026 Friday-Sunday

Part Two: May 1-3, 2026 Friday-Sunday

Fridays & Saturdays 8 AM - 5 PM Eastern Time, Sundays 8 AM - 4:15 PM Eastern Time

EMDRIA-Approved Trainer: Christine Bergman LMHC

Level: Beginner

Audience: Mental Health Professionals including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, Graduate Students and pre-licensed therapists who are on a track to licensure.

Hosted by: Elite DNA Therapy

About This Course

Full Training Package Includes:
20 Hours Lecture
20 Hours Small Group Practicum
10 Hours Consultation
40 Optional CEs available

Also Included:

Printed Training Manual (300+ pages)
Access to online learning management system with additional resources:
Downloadable/printable forms, scripts, and handouts
Online Discussion Forum
Bonus videos to view and review at your leisure

EMDR Therapy is a powerful, evidence-based treatment for children, teens, and adults. More than 30 positive controlled research studies support the benefits of EMDR Therapy for treatment of depression, trauma, and more. EMDR Therapy can dramatically reduce or eliminate disturbing symptoms, distressing emotions, and unwanted behaviors while fostering positive new perspectives and increased resilience.

Throughout our Basic Training, we emphasize appropriate client selection, preparation, and stabilization for diverse levels of client complexity and clinical expertise. With ongoing Consultation built right into the training package, you will get the guidance you need to start using these new skills safely and effectively right away.

In addition to the core material we’ll share best practices for delivering EMDR Therapy via telehealth with great fidelity to the research validated model for optimal results.

Personalized attention, thoughtful feedback, and a warm spirit of hospitality are hallmarks of all Connect trainings. Our highly experienced training team provides dynamic energy and strong support throughout the two intensive three-day weekends. We are deeply invested in your growth and can’t wait to welcome you to our vibrant community of effective, trauma-informed therapists!

Seats are limited to ensure an optimal learning environment for each participant.

Who is Eligible to Attend?

EMDRIA Sets the Standards for Attendance. Read full eligibility requirements here: https://www.emdria.org/emdr-training/eligibility-requirements-for-emdr-training/

Registered Interns
Social Workers
Mental Health Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Psychiatric ARNPs
Graduate Students in Internship with Active Caseloads

Fees: (Includes 10 hours Consultation)

Students and Nonprofit Clinician: $1,275
For-Profit Clinician: $1,450
Optional CEs: $75 available for purchase at registration (total of 40 CEs for complete course) See below for full CE information and coverage.

*Non-Profit Clinicians are those working 20+ hours a week in a non-profit setting or graduate students in their final internship/practicum with active clinical cases.

Cancellation Policy

Full refund (minus credit card processing fees) for cancellations prior to two weeks before Part One. No refunds are available after February 6, 2026.

We are committed to providing you with a great staff-to-student ratio and consultant-to-consultee ratio, which means confirming our staff at least two weeks in advance based on registrations. That is why we can’t provide refunds for cancellations made within two weeks of the training.

*In the event of illness, we will make every effort to schedule you into another Basic Training within the calendar year.

Training Highlights:

Two, Three-Day Training Weekends (Friday - Sunday)

Supervised small group practice on each training day.
The Full Course (20 hrs didactic, 20 hrs practicum, and 10 hrs consultation) included in fee.
EMDRIA-Approved Basic Training setting the stage for EMDRIA Certification
Physiological overview of the information processing system.
Specialized history taking to identify dysfunctional patterns and their causes.
Treatment planning to address past events, current triggers and future needs.
Stabilization techniques across the attachment spectrum.
Reduction of overt symptoms to achieve comprehensive mental health.
Address the full range of trauma and other disturbing life events.
Applications to combat trauma and first responders.
Applications to addictions, grief, anxiety, depression, and somatic disorders.
Applications to natural and man-made disasters.
Applications to family and couples therapy
Applications to trauma caused by racism and social location

FAQs:

We highly recommend that you visit our website to learn more about Connect's Basic Training, including important FAQs about the training and consultation process.

About The Presenter:

Christine offers extensive psychotherapy experience and expertise to meet the unique needs of every individual. She has studied and provided EMDR Therapy for almost 20 years as a Certified EMDR Therapist, Approved Consultant, Facilitator and EMDRIA-Approved Virtual Basic Trainer.

As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Christine specializes in working with clients who have experienced complex trauma, in addition to providing treatment for various mental health concerns. She has worked for many years in community mental health settings with children, adolescents and adults. Currently, she is in private practice, primarily providing online services for adults. In addition, Christine provides professional training and consultation for mental health professionals.

Detailed Course Overview & Learning Objectives

20 hours of didactic, 20 hours of supervised practice, 10 hours of Group Consultation. The supervised practice is gently guided by a facilitator who will assist the participants to apply the model and objectives of the morning lecture. All components must be completed within one year of the start of training.

Part One Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the history and evolution of EMDR Therapy.

2. Identify the 5 components of a memory.

3. Explain 2 possible mechanisms of action thought to contribute to the efficacy of EMDR.

4. Describe 3 key research findings about EMDR Therapy.

5. List 6 types of client complaints treatable with EMDR therapy.

6. Discuss 5 considerations for appropriate client selection.

7. Describe 3 measures for effective and safe use of EMDR therapy.

8. List 3 techniques for identifying targets during history taking.

9. Explain the therapeutic process using both adult and child-friendly language.

10. Demonstrate how to introduce a state change technique during Preparation Phase.

11. Select an appropriate first target memory for reprocessing.

12. Explain the 2 main goals of the Assessment Phase.

13. Prepare a comprehensive treatment plan using Standard Protocol.

14. List the 8 phases and 3 Prongs of EMDR Therapy.

15. Select appropriate opportunities for using the Recent Event Protocol.

16. Apply Future Templates as part of EMDR Therapy’s 3rd Prong.

Part Two Learning Objectives:

1. Explain key differences between simple and complex case presentations.

2. Describe 3 ways to address the impact of clients’ cultures, roles, and identities within the AIP Model.

3. Describe key differences in treatment planning for clients with developmental trauma.

4. Assess where a client is in relation to their “Window of Tolerance.”

5. List 3 common blocking beliefs that hinder progress in therapy.

6. Identify when to modify EMDR’s Standard Protocol for emergent situations and complex presentations.

7. Demonstrate Preparation Phase interventions for complex cases, including Resource Development and Installation.

8. Identify common signs of dissociation and select appropriate screening tools.

9. List 3 strategies to manage hypoarousal during processing.

10. List 3 strategies to help clients maintain dual attention during intense emotional responses.

11. Distinguish between different types of cognitive interweaves.

12. Apply interweaves as needed to facilitate blocked Processing.

13. Explain when and how to use EMD, rather than EMDR.

14. Prepare treatment plans to address both simple and complex phobias.

15. Prepare specialized treatment plans for at least 3 different populations, such as military, sexual trauma survivors, and clients with substance use disorders.

16. Describe special considerations for working with anxiety, grief, and somatic disorders as an EMDR Therapist.

Schedule for Each Weekend:

All times reflect the Eastern Time Zone.

Part One:

Friday

8:00am - 8:15am: Sign-in/Coffee/Networking
8:15am - 12:00pm: Lecture
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon Practicum

Saturday

8:00am - 8:15am: Sign-in/Coffee/Networking
8:15am - 12:00pm: Lecture
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon Practicum

Sunday

8:00am - 8:15 am: Sign-in/Coffee/Networking
8:15am - 11:30am: Lecture
11:30am - 12:30pm: Lunch
12:30pm - 4:15pm: Afternoon Practicum

Part Two

Friday

8:00am - 8:15am: Sign-in/Coffee/Networking
8:15am - 12:00pm: Lecture
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon Practicum

Saturday

8:00am - 8:15am: Sign-in/Coffee/Networking
8:15am - 12:00pm: Lecture
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon Practicum

Sunday

8:00am - 8:15 am: Sign-in/Coffee/Networking
8:15am - 11:30am: Lecture
11:30am - 12:30pm: Lunch
12:30pm - 4:15pm: Afternoon Practicum

Attendance Policy

Participants must attend all training days in their entirety and actively participate in all supervised practice exercises and group consultation sessions in order to receive a certificate of completion for this training. All components of Basic Training must be completed within 12 months of the start of training.

ADA Assistance:

Our in-person trainings are held in facilities that are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Closed Captions are also available as a Zoom viewing option for our live, virtual trainings. Please contact Claire at Claire@ConnectEMDR.com or (407) 970-7915 if accommodation is required for this training.

Statement of Proactive Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity:

Connect welcomes trainees and consultees from all cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual and gender orientations. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment for all trainees and consultees, including Black People, People of Color, Indigenous People, and LGBTQ People. We pledge to proactively address issues of cultural competence and culturally-based trauma during every phase of professional development.

CEs:

Connect is approved by:

The American Psychological Association (APA). Connect is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Connect maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
The National Board of Certified Counselors. Connect has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7534
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences, BBS, recognizes relevant course work/training that has been approved by nationally recognized certifying bodies, such as APA, to satisfy renewal requirements.

While most states and licensing boards accept course work that has been approved by nationally recognized certifying bodies, such as APA, licensed professionals should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval.

Grievances:

Connect seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to info@ConnectEMDR.com. Grievances would receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.

There is no known conflict of interest nor commercial support for this program.

EMDR Basic Training in Ft. Myers, FL: February & May 2026