Relational EMDR Therapy® Master Certification

A Journey to Depth, Integrity, and Relational Practice

The Master Certification in Relational EMDR Therapy® is our most advanced and comprehensive professional training program.

This program is designed for experienced EMDR therapists who are ready to go deeper, not just in their clinical skills, but in their understanding of who they are as therapists and how that presence shapes the work.

This integrated approach to treating complex developmental trauma centers the trifecta of evidence-based practice: the person of the therapist, the person of the client, and best clinical practices.

Relational EMDR® seeks to understand how clients learned to cope with their attachment wounds, using that understanding as the foundation for a more complete approach to healing.

As part of the healing journey, the therapeutic relationship itself becomes a corrective emotional experience, one that supports clients in making new, more adaptive memories of self and other.

We are accepting a limited number of applications on a rolling basis. To learn more or to apply, email Jennifer Fights at jennifer@emdrtherapy.com.

The Core Principles of a Relational EMDR Therapist

The overarching goals of this program are to promote core principles in these areas:

An Integrative Approach to Practice

Primacy of the Therapeutic Relationship

Promoting Growth and Change Beyond Symptom Relief. 

Skillful Use of Self of the Therapist.

Neurobiology and Ethics of Treating Trauma.

Clients who present with complex trauma have pervasive difficulties with self-esteem, relationships and self-regulation informed by developmental trauma that is unhealed.  While clients typically seek therapy for symptom relief, they may need more than an abbreviated form of treatment to address the root causes of their difficulties.
Informed by AIP theory, attachment theory, somatic therapies, parts work, interpersonal neurobiology, and affective neurosciences, the R-EMDR therapist will be able to draw upon these knowledge areas and successfully integrate them into a R-EMDR framework.  This framework further defines EMDR’s “client-centered” approach as emphasizing the importance of making active clinical choices based on client and clinical variables rather than just protocols and procedures.
This coursework  focuses on developing a working understanding of the impact of trauma on the various systems, the generational transmission, the culture of the client, and how their trauma impacts their overall functioning and readiness for therapy.  Further, an overview of typical ethical issues and dilemmas will be reviewed with implications for clinical practice.
This coursework  focuses on developing a working understanding of the impact of trauma on the various systems, the generational transmission, the culture of the client, and how their trauma impacts their overall functioning and readiness for therapy.  Further, an overview of typical ethical issues and dilemmas will be reviewed with implications for clinical practice.
This powerful and effective methodology in the treatment of complex trauma is only as effective as the strength and integrity of the therapeutic alliance.  This includes both the client and therapist and is implicit in all core competencies.
"It's the WE of the relationship that creates the conditions that make it possible for our clients to 'go there.' But we have to accompany them every step of the way. That is the invitation of Relational EMDR Therapy®, to bring our highest Self to this very important work, so our clients don't have to make that journey alone."
— Deany Laliotis

Program Requirements

The Certification Process in Relational EMDR Therapy®

After the completion of the coursework, the minimum hours of case consultation and an agreed-upon readiness by you and your Consultant, you are encouraged to apply for your certification.  Below are the steps included in the process:

1. Meet the Requirements

Please read the requirements above and ensure you meet them before applying.
Email info@emdrtherapy,com with any questions

2. Submit an application to Center Faculty Jennifer Fights

3. Complete an interview

4. Submit a segment of a video recording and complete transcript of an
R-EMDR clinical session. 

R-EMDR Recertification

Once certified as a Master Relational EMDR Therapist, we strongly encourage staying engaged in an R-EMDR consultation group to maintain and deepen the relational competencies this certification represents.

Recertification requires one of the following over a two-year period:
  • 20 hours of any combination of individual and group consultation with an R-EMDR Master Consultant, or
  • A minimum of 12 hours from any elective course offered through The Center All Center courses are EMDRIA-approved and may be applied toward EMDRIA recertification.

Your listing as a Relational EMDR Therapist will be maintained in our directory. A $75 processing fee applies.

Ready to take the next step?
Email Jennifer Fights to learn more or request an application

Frequently asked questions

What is the Master Certificate in Relational EMDR Therapy®?

The Master Certificate in Relational EMDR Therapy® is an advanced, multi-year professional training program offered by The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy. It is designed for experienced EMDR therapists who are ready to deepen their clinical practice, their understanding of complex developmental trauma, and their capacity to work relationally with their most challenging clients. The program combines advanced coursework, three years of small-group case consultation with R-EMDR Master Consultants, and a certification review process.

How long does the Master Certificate program take to complete?

The program spans a minimum of three years, determined primarily by the case consultation requirement of 60 hours completed over three years (20 hours per year). Coursework can be completed at your own pace alongside the consultation track. Clinicians who are already EMDRIA-Certified Consultants have a reduced consultation requirement of 40 hours.

What are the prerequisites to apply?

To apply, you must hold a master's degree in a mental health field, be licensed or on a licensing track for independent clinical practice, have completed an EMDR Basic Training of at least 40 CE hours, and have successfully completed The Craft of EMDR Therapy: Taking it to the Next Level through The Center. The application also includes a written application, a 30-minute interview, and a $250 application fee.

What coursework is required for the Master Certificate?

The program requires 96 CE hours total. Core required coursework (78 hours) includes The Craft of EMDR Therapy (30 hours), Thinking AIP and Using EMDR (12 hours), The Dance of Attachment (18 hours), and Relational EMDR Therapy: Examining the Self of the Therapist (18 hours). An additional 18 hours of elective coursework from The Center's approved offerings complete the requirement.

Can I apply coursework I've already completed toward the certification?

Yes. Clinicians who have been studying with The Center since 2021 are encouraged to inquire about applying completed coursework toward certification. Contact Jennifer Fights at jennifer@emdrtherapy.com to discuss your eligibility.

What does case consultation in the R-EMDR program involve?

Consultation takes place in small groups of no more than four clinicians, meeting for two hours once a month with an R-EMDR Master Consultant. After the first year, your cohort transitions to a second Master Consultant to broaden your training experience. The cost is $1,800 per person per year, which includes ten 2-hour monthly sessions.

Can R-EMDR case consultation hours count toward EMDRIA certification?

Not if you are not yet EMDRIA certified. R-EMDR consultation hours cannot be applied toward EMDRIA Therapist or Consultant certification while pursuing the R-EMDR track concurrently. However, all Center coursework is EMDRIA-approved and can be applied toward EMDRIA certification and recertification.

What does the certification review process involve?

After completing required coursework and consultation hours, and with readiness confirmed by you and your Consultant, you submit a video recording and complete transcript of an R-EMDR clinical session. The submission includes an AIP case conceptualization summary, a one-page description of R-EMDR skills demonstrated, and a self-evaluation of your strengths and growing edges. Recordings are reviewed by The Center's Certification Reviewers. The process also includes a 1-hour interview and a $250 application fee.

How do I maintain my certification after earning it?

Recertification is required every two years and involves either 20 hours of individual or group consultation with an R-EMDR Master Consultant, or a minimum of 12 hours of elective coursework through The Center. A $75 processing fee applies. Your listing as a Relational EMDR Therapist is maintained in The Center's directory throughout.

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