Cynthia currently offers EMDR consultation in two different formats: cohort-based groups and individual sessions. As an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, Cynthia provides consultation to therapists who are working towards becoming an EMDR Certified TherapistTM (see below for more information), as well as to EMDR Trained Clinicians who, though not seeking certification, are still looking for support to increase their knowledge, skill, and confidence in using EMDR. Consultees must sign a written contractual consultation agreement with Cynthia in advance of consultation. Information about consultation fees can be found here. To read what others have shared about their experience with Cynthia, please visit the Kind Words page on her website.
EMDRIA-Approved Certification Consultation for EMDR Therapists
Cynthia is an EMDR Certified TherapistTM and EMDR Consultant-in-Training (CIT) with EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). She provides group and individual EMDR consultation to therapists who are working towards becoming an EMDR Certified TherapistTM ("certification consultation") and have already completed their foundational training (which includes completion of the 10 hours of consultation that are integrated into that training). She is based in Washington state, United States (Pacific Time Zone) and provides consultation virtually.
Cynthia was fortunate to complete her EMDR Basic Training through EMDR Consulting, which was developed by Master Trainer, Roy Kiessling. Roy originally trained (1995) under Francine Shapiro, who created and developed EMDR. After nearly 2 decades of working with Francine Shapiro, as a senior trainer and program developer, Roy created his own training model. EMDR Consulting's approach is thoroughly grounded in Francine's original work, but also incorporates ongoing advances in our understanding of the neurophysiology of single event and complex trauma. Cynthia's integrative approach to EMDR is inspired by her immersion in EMDR Consulting's EMDRIA-approved, evidence-based, and forward-looking approach. On her journey toward becoming an EMDR Certified Therapist, Cynthia has received all of her training and consultation from renowned EMDRIA and EMDR Consulting Approved Trainers/Consultants, Laurie Colson-Young, Victoria Jones, and Paula Merucci. As an EMDR Consultant-in-Training (CIT), Cynthia is receiving consultation-of-consultation from Paula Merucci of EMDR Chicago as well as from Thomas Zimmerman of EMDR Cleveland.
Certification Consultation Requirements
EMDRIA has established requirements for becoming an EMDR Certified TherapistTM, including:
- Consultees must obtain a minimum of 20 hours of consultation for certification from an EMDRIA-approved EMDR ConsultantTM or an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant-in-Training
- At least 10 of those 20 hours must be in individual consultation (1 consultee and 1 consultant)
- 15 of those 20 hours may come from consultation with an EMDR Consultant-in-Training
- The remaining 5 hours of consultation must come from an EMDR Consultant
Per EMDRIA's guidelines, "The certification consultation hours are focused on demonstrating proficiency and fidelity to the standard EMDR therapy and also demonstrating an awareness of situations in which modifications to standard EMDR therapy are necessary in order to safely and effectively treat the client." (EMDRIA) Consultation with Cynthia supports knowledge and skill development in therapists who are employing modifications based on the integration of Ego State Therapy, Polyvagal Theory, and/or Clinical Hypnosis with EMDR, as well as other modifications and augmentative protocols. The goal is learning how to keep the 8 phases and 3 prongs of EMDR safe and manageable for clients.
Cynthia offers 2 kinds of EMDR certification consultation:
- Integrative EMDR Consultation Groups, consisting of a cohort of 8 consultees who meet 2 hours with Cynthia once a month for 5 consecutive months
- Individual consultation, consisting of 1 consultee that meets with Cynthia for an hour
Per EMDRIA's mandate, consultation is "focused on demonstrating proficiency and fidelity to the standard EMDR therapy and also demonstrating an awareness of situations in which modifications to standard EMDR therapy are necessary in order to safely and effectively treat the client." Cynthia's Integrative EMDR Consultation Groups support skill development in therapists who are employing within-EMDR modifications as well as modifications based on the integration of Ego State Therapy ("parts work"), Clinical Hypnosis, Polyvagal Theory and/or somatic approaches with EMDR in a manner that supports keeping the 8 phases and 3 prongs of EMDR safe and manageable for clients. See the link at the top of the page for more information or to register for Cynthia's current Integrative EMDR Consultation Group or contact Cynthia if you are interested in a future group.)
The focus of individual consultation can be customized to the needs of the consultee, including therapists who are newly trained in EMDR, have had a gap since training, are not sure how to start incorporating EMDR in their work with clients, and/or who want to build confidence in using EMDR. In addition, she offers support to therapists who want to meet EMDRIA certification criteria while seeking support for incorporating elements of other modalities, such as Ego State Therapy (parts work), Polyvagal Theory, and Clinical Hypnosis.
If seeking consultation hours for the purpose of applying to be an EMDR Certified Therapist, consultees must already have completed their basic training and basic training consultation hours.
Documentation of Certification Consultation Hours and Letters of Recommendation
As an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, Cynthia can furnish a letter documenting that she has provided up to 15 of the 20 hours of certification consultation required for applying to be an EMDR Certified TherapistTM. In addition to that documentation, you will need to obtain a letter of recommendation from an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant. Every EMDR Consultant has their own criteria for the number of hours of certification consultation that consultees must complete with them, as well as criteria related to the format of that consultation, before they will consider writing a letter of recommendation. So, please ask the EMDR Consultant from whom you will seek a letter of recommendation what their requirements are.
As an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, Cynthia is receiving consultation-of-consultation from Paula Merucci, an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Nationwide Basic Training Provider and an EMDRIA-approved EMDR ConsultantTM. If you would like to receive additional hours of certification consultation from Paula Merucci (i.e., with the intention to request a letter of recommendation to become an EMDR Certified TherapistTM), you can find more information here. In addition, Cynthia is receiving consultation-of-consultation from Thomas Zimmerman, an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Nationwide Basic Training Provider and an EMDRIA-approved EMDR ConsultantTM. If you would like to receive additional hours of certification consultation from Thomas Zimmerman (i.e., with the intention to request a letter of recommendation to become an EMDR Certified TherapistTM), you can find more information here.
Additional information about EMDRIA's EMDR certification process and related requirements can be found here.
