Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has become a popular approach to treating a variety of mental health issues, especially trauma-related disorders. With its proven effectiveness and growing demand, more mental health professionals are now seeking EMDR training to better address their clients’ needs. However, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many trainers are now offering EMDR training online rather than in person. As a result, mental health professionals have to decide whether to pursue EMDR training in an online or in-person setting.
In-Person EMDR Training
In-person EMDR training has been available for a long time and remains a popular choice for many professionals. With face-to-face interaction with the trainer and classmates, in-person training allows for better collaboration, group discussions, and a more hands-on learning experience. It also means fewer distractions, unlike the online environment where distractions like emails and social media notifications could affect your concentration.
Another advantage of in-person training is that trainers can adjust their teaching style or modify the content based on the learners’ needs and feedback. It also enables participants to practice EMDR techniques in the presence of an instructor, receive immediate feedback, and adjust their therapy methods to ensure optimal results.
On the downside, in-person EMDR training is often the more expensive option. This is because of the need for overhead costs like venue rentals, lodging, and meals that come with attending out-of-town training. It can also be challenging to coordinate and find the perfect time slot for both the trainer and participants.
Online EMDR Training
Online EMDR training is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness. With online EMDR training, participants have more flexibility to learn at their own pace, and from wherever they want. It enables learners to repeat sections they didn’t understand, pause the training and revisit it after a few hours, or access training materials even after the program’s completion.
Moreover, EMDR online training is an opportunity to learn from the comfort of one’s own home on a preferred device, avoiding the need for travel, and saving on travel costs. Additionally, online training allows learners to access highly qualified trainers globally, making it possible to learn from top experts in the EMDR field.
However, learners should also weigh some possible disadvantages that online training poses. For instance, online EMDR training is often more susceptible to distractions like unintentionally multi-tasking, household chores, or interruptions from family members. The lack of physical presence of the instructor or learners can make it difficult to build a rapport amongst the participants or with the instructor, limiting the possibility of networking. Technical hitches like slow internet speeds may also negatively impact the training experience.
Choosing between in-person or online EMDR training depends on various factors, including budget, convenience, location, and personal preferences. While in-person training guarantees face-to-face correspondence with the instructor and classmates, online EMDR training is a more flexible and economical option that allows mental health professionals to learn at their own pace. Ultimately, acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to become a skilled EMDR therapist is achievable through both methods.
