Y’all know that I believe EMDR is magic. And I think, among the many reasons, the magic of EMDR lies within its structure. 

It can feel safe to hear and repeat the message of “stick to the script and trust the process.” And while the message has a positive intention, it's just not good enough.

In fact, it's basic. And EMDR is too sophisticated to be basic.

At first we see the benefit of this message with our peers in basic training exercises and single-incident trauma clients in our practices; it feels reassuring and so we internalize it.

But then something troublesome can happen. 

When a complex trauma client walks through our door and the line-by-line script doesn’t offer what that client needs, we get cold feet with EMDR.

And not only do we lose trust in the process, but we lose trust in ourselves.

Sticking to the script and trusting the process should no longer be the default message in basic EMDR training or Facebook comments for those seeking consultation. We deserve more nuance than that because we are far beyond basic.

So, I’d like to offer something different. What if this idea just meant that we believe in the power of EMDR, the value of the 8 Phases, and that we trust the AIP model? And what if we used this as encouraging blueprint instead of a line-by-line script to be repeated?

If we can alter the way that we value the structure of EMDR, we can alter the relationship that we have with ourselves as EMDR clinicians. 

Listen to my most recent podcast to understand how we limit ourselves with this message and what we can do instead. 

You deserve to trust yourself because EMDR is magic… and so are you.

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If you're looking for clinical consultation that's going to offer you frameworks and insight to strengthen your EMDR training, I encourage you to check out The Consultation Program. Apply today to embark on an eight month journey in the only comprehensive consultation program out there.

I promise you, there's nothing like it.

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Zero Disturbance offers comprehensive resources for therapists on EMDR-informed clinical reasoning, intensive design, passive income systems, & teaching excellence. 

With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for 20 years. As Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, her job was to decomplicate and consolidate complex systems and topics, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a busy mom of fraternal twins, dedicated business owner of Zero Disturbance, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way.