Course Description

As EMDR therapists, clinicians are often faced with complex decisions related to protocol adherence, clinical pacing, and client readiness. While these considerations are central to effective EMDR practice, they are not sufficient on their own. Clinical decision‑making in EMDR therapy also carries ethical implications that require ongoing reflection and discernment.

This presentation examines the ethical dimensions of clinical decision‑making in EMDR therapy, including the tension between protocol fidelity and responsiveness to client needs. Attendees will explore how ethical responsibility intersects with evidence‑based practice, client factors, and clinician variables across diverse clinical contexts.

Emphasis is placed on understanding EMDR therapy as a client‑centered, evidence‑informed approach guided by the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, ethical principles, and the therapeutic relationship. Participants will gain greater clarity regarding how ethical considerations inform clinical choices in EMDR therapy, supporting thoughtful, responsive, and ethically grounded practice.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to identify at least three client and clinician variables that inform ethical clinical decision‑making in EMDR therapy.
2. Participants will be able to describe how the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model informs collaborative case conceptualization and treatment planning in EMDR therapy.
3. Participants will be able to explain key relational and contextual factors used to evaluate ethical considerations related to the therapeutic relationship in EMDR practice.

Session Level: Intermediate

Presenter(s)

Deany Laliotis, LICSW

Deany Laliotis is an internationally recognized thought leader who teaches EMDR therapy using an attachment-informed approach for treating complex trauma. As the founder of The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy, Deany offers a continuum of trainings from the basic through master-level courses, offering a Master Certificate in Relational EMDR Therapy®. Deany worked closely with Francine Shapiro since 1993 and was her Director of Training for over ten years. Deany was awarded the Francine Shapiro Award for Outstanding Service and Clinical Excellence by the EMDRIA in 2015. She has authored and co-authored several book chapters and articles on EMDR and is currently writing a book on Relational EMDR®.