Overview of Consultation Process

This purpose of this packet is to provide information and to establish clear expectations of the consultation process between an EMDRIA Approved Consultant™, and/or EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training™ and consultees.

Consultation focuses on the mastery and integration of standard EMDR therapy in practice. The consultant values the integrity and independence of the consultee. The consultant and consultee are expected to operate within the ethical standards and scope of practice of their respective professional licenses.

• The intended purpose of consultation is for the consultant to provide guidance and feedback to the consultee regarding their use of standard EMDR therapy with clients.
• Consultation is not supervision. The consultee maintains full responsibility and autonomy for the decisions involving their clients’ treatment. The consultant provides feedback on the consultee’s implementation of standard EMDR therapy and is not directive with client treatment.
• The consultant’s primary responsibility is to evaluate the consultee’s ability to implement the standard EMDR therapy’s eight phase protocol, three-pronged approach. The consultee should also demonstrate an awareness of situations in which modifications to standard EMDR therapy are necessary in order to safely and effectively treat the client.
• If there are concerns about the consultee’s ability, the consultant is responsible for communicating those concerns as early as possible during the consultation process so that appropriate corrective measures can be taken by the consultee.

During the consultation-of-consultation process, the EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ provides direction and input regarding the EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training™ (CIT) skills and ability as a consultant. The EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ also evaluates the CITs skill and ability as a consultant.

Consultants are expected to provide up-to-date and relevant information regarding the utilization of standard EMDR therapy with various client populations. The consultant recognizes their limits of competency and, when appropriate, will refer the consultee to another consultant who is more familiar with a specific client population.