Professional Development: EMDR Training & Reflections

Last week, I went to Ft. Lauderdale, FL for professional development. As a therapist/nerd, learning never stops for me. And I love it!

I had been considering offering EMDR therapy in my therapy practice. So I found a 5-day intensive EMDR training. And the word intensive was the perfect word to describe this training! This professional development was different from others I’ve attended in that it included an experiential learning component - learn it, see it, do it, review it. We had several hours of EMDR lectures and practicum, which means we actually did EMDR therapy with one another.

When I think of the overall experience, I am filled with gratitude.

I’m grateful I had the opportunity, time, and resources to attend this training. And with the instructor I did- George Tabb. He was phenomenal and dynamic. If you’re a therapist and ever have a chance to take one of his trainings, go for it. 10 out of 10 highly recommend!

We also had the opportunity to watch our instructor in action demonstrating an EMDR therapy session with an audience volunteer. I take the risk of sounding like a nerd, but I was just amazed. Therapists rarely have the opportunity to see another therapist in action, but that’s literally what we did during this training. We were divided into small groups for the EMDR therapy practicums. One person in the group was to be the client, one person was the therapist, and the other person was an observer. My group had 4 people. We took turns rotating so each person had the chance to experience EMDR from all perspectives.

So here we are, it’s my turn to be the therapist. And I put my therapist hat on. There was no acting or pretending. Oh also everyone at this training is a mental health therapist or a student intern currently in graduate school to become a future licensed mental health therapist.

So I am the therapist in this exercise with 3 other Black women (the client, 2 observers, and our coach) watching me. Looking back, I’m surprised that I wasn’t nervous. But when I activate therapist mode, something just shifts inside of me. My shyness goes away and I am fully attuned to my client. I also believe the fact that my group was comprised of Black women created this sense of safety and support. There were times when we literally encouraged each other by saying “I got you sis” to one another.

I tell ya, there is nothing in this world like support from Black women!

I just have such gratitude for this overall experience. I asked the person who was my client during the exercise for her feedback on my approach. And she told me she felt very comfortable and safe with me. She said that feeling of safety allowed her to go to a real and vulnerable place. After we were finished, I expressed my gratitude to her for allowing me, a complete stranger, into her world in that way. The observers also shared their feedback with me. They said things like “You’re a great therapist!” And “How did you know when the client felt certain things?” Part of the answer is hard to put into words, but essentially it’s attunement. I was connected to my client in those sessions. I picked up on shifts that let me know where we needed to go next in order to maintain my client’s sense of safety and security. It’s the difference between just hearing someone and really holding space for them.

I am grateful for the positive feedback I received from fellow therapists. It’s one thing to think you’re a great therapist, but it’s humbling to hear that affirmed several times over the course of the week. Someone even asked me to be their therapist after the training. Again, I am humbled.

I’m also grateful that I allowed myself to really hear and receive their words of affirmation. I used to feel a level of awkwardness whenever I received professional compliments. But…

I hear it. I receive it. And I am grateful.

I am also grateful and excited that I now have a new skillset that I can utilize with clients. My clients trust me to walk alongside them through some of the most challenging times of their lives. And I look forward to sharing what I learned with them.

Pic of Hollywood Beach after the last day of EMDR training. The great thing about attending professional development in Florida is that I could go to the beach after a long day of intense learning. The beach is my peaceful place, so I’m grateful every time I have the opportunity to go.