TRAINING IN EMDR: European Developments,
the First Five Years
John Spector UK & Ireland Training Officer
Abtract: Although
EMDR trainings began in the USA in 1990, it wasn't until 1994 that London hosted
the first training in Europe. That five years ago. Judging by the developments
in Europe since, EMDR is here to stay.
The first trainings in EMDR (then EMD) began in the USA at the beginning of the
1990's. From early on the trainings were organised around two Levels - Level 1
for beginners and Level 2 for more advanced learning. In the early days all trainings
were conducted by Dr Francine Shapiro, the founder and developer of EMDR.
The development of training in EMDR grew very rapidly following early reports
of its success, and the EMDR institute was formed in California to develop the
method and protect the integrity of the trainings. Some clinicians outside of
EMDR criticised Dr Shapiro for being too proprietorial over her trainings, but
she responded by emphasising the importance of learning this sophisticated technique
in a proper and rigorous way. In spite of the criticisms, clinicians from all
levels applied for training in large numbers. Several trainings a year in Level
1 and Level 2 were now being held across the USA with typically over 100 attendees
at each training. News spread outside of the USA and interest and trainings developed
in the UK and Europe with the first European training held in London in April
1994, sponsored by John Spector, who had trained in the USA.
Since the first European training in 1994, development has been even faster. The
current position is that although the USA retains the highest number of clinicians
trained in EMDR by far, the rest of the world is beginning to catch up fast. In
Europe over 500 British clinicians have now been trained at least to Level 1 standard,
and the figure is probably slightly higher in Germany. Training programmes are
active in France, Holland, Belgium, Scandinavian countries, and have taken off
in Italy and Eastern Europe. In fact there is hardly a country in Western Europe
that has now not got an EMDR training programme in place, and of course within
the last two years EMDR Europe has developed to build the training programme and
tailor it specifically to European needs. Elsewhere training is particularly active
in Australia, Canada and South America. Humanitarian Assistance Programmes have
provided trainings gratis in disaster areas such as Bangladesh and the former
Yugoslavia.
Here in the UK, a small group of Senior Facilitators and Executive Members have
been working on plans to revise the current Level 1 and 2 organisation. Currently
these have been organised from the beginning around two 2-day day trainings called
Level 1 and Level 2, with the Level 2 training restating some of the principals
learnt at level 1, and teaching skills to work with more complex trauma cases.
This structure has, however, been felt to be increasingly problematic for two
main reasons. Firstly, it has become clear that many, trainees at the Level 2
training have not grasped some of the central principals of EMDR and have not
had sufficient practice. Secondly, such a short training does not provide candidates
with a recognisable level of competence in the procedure and is insufficient to
represent EMDR training as being rigorous and with a proper supervisory structure
that equips its trainees to become properly accredited. For these reasons a more
extensive training programme is being worked on, which will include ongoing supervision
for candidates who wish to become accredited.
For the time being, however, the training structure continues in its Level 1 and
Level 2 existing format. Currently in the UK a Level 1 was held in London in April
and a further Level 1 and Level 2 will be held in London in September. A Level
1 training will be held in Glasgow from March 2-4, 2000. All trainings involve
lectures, videos, and experimental exercises and have been perceived by attendees
almost universally as highly professional and stimulating. Level 1 conferences
in the last year have been over subscribed a month before the date of the conference.
This has reflected the burgeoning interest in EMDR, both at the clinical and research
levels.
There are criteria for entry into training in EMDR set out by the EMDR UK and
Ireland Association. Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists get automatically
accepted, as do any other mental health professionals who are accredited members
of a UKCP affiliated therapy organisation. Others working in mental health and
trauma, may be accepted by virtue of their qualifications and experience which
will be subject to review by the Training Accreditation Committee. Persons interested
in the next Level 1 training in Glasgow, March 2-4, should contact the EMDR UK
and Ireland Association Training Officer, John Spector, Consultant Clinical Psychologist,
Shrodells Unit, Watford General Hospital, Vicarage Road, Watford, Herts, WD1 8HB.
JOHN SPECTOR
CONSULTANT CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
©2000 The EMDR Practitioner - All Rights
Reserved Worldwide