What Makes EMDR Consultation "Great"
1. Who your consultant did their EMDR Training with
Who your Consultant did their training with is relevant because it speaks to the way in which they approach the integration of EMDR into your psychotherapy.
While the protocol is the same, EMDR is an art and is nuanced in it's application. All trainers can be different and having a consultant who is aware of the differences and how to support you is important.
It's less important where you trained so long as you can feel the right fit with your EMDR consultant which leads me to:
2. Rapport and fit with your EMDR Consultant
Similar to the fit clients seek with psychotherapists, you too should feel a good fit with your consultant. That they are knowledgeable, supportive, can hold a safe and empowering space for contemplation and application of the EMDDR protocol while supporting you to develop your own voice as an EMDR Therapist.
You should never feel like your consultant is competing with you or has a scarcity mindset. The opposite holds true: you should feel encouraged to grow and feel welcomed into the EMDR Psychotherapist Community!
EMDR Consultation with Farah Kurji
When choosing an EMDR consultant or trainer, it is important to consider not only where they trained, but how they were trained. EMDR is a nuanced and complex psychotherapy approach that is best learned through deep clinical application, mentorship, and ongoing consultation — not simply completing a basic training weekend online.
Many therapists do not realize there can be significant differences in training experiences, including:
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how closely connected trainers are to the foundational teachings of Francine Shapiro
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whether training occurred primarily in-person or online
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the amount of practicum and hands-on feedback included
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depth of training in dissociation, attachment trauma, and complex PTSD
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training in cognitive interweaves and blocked processing
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whether consultants continue ongoing mentorship and collaboration with their own trainers and consultation communities
These experiences shape not only technical skill, but also a therapist’s confidence, flexibility, attunement, and ability to navigate complex trauma safely and effectively.
I trained with internationally respected EMDR leader Kathy Martin and continue to value consultation, reflective practice, and advanced learning as essential parts of ethical EMDR work. My approach emphasizes fidelity to the EMDR model and protocols without becoming unnecessarily rigid or mechanical. I believe strong EMDR therapy requires both clinical structure and authentic therapeutic presence.
In addition to foundational EMDR training, I have pursued extensive advanced learning, consultation, and clinical application in trauma, grief, attachment, dissociation, perfectionism, and nervous system-informed care. I have been providing both individual and group EMDR consultation since 2019 and deeply value creating psychologically safe spaces where therapists can ask questions openly, strengthen case conceptualization skills, and grow in confidence.
Therapists who work with me are often looking for more than simply “consultation hours.” They are seeking thoughtful mentorship, clinical depth, supportive feedback, and a consultation relationship that helps them become more grounded, reflective, and effective trauma therapists over time.
This programming ensures that consultants not only learn about the competencies but actively integrate them into their consultation practice, fostering consistency, excellence, and continued professional growth across the EMDR community. The educational programming for EMDRIA Approved Consultants™ models a continuum of life-long learning that includes instruction, information, reflection, and practice.