Forming an EMDR National Association

International Guidelines for the formation of an EMDR National/ Special Administrative Region (SAR) Association or (2017)

Objective of an EMDR National Association or Special Administrative Region (SAR)

An EMDR National/ (SAR) Association provides a forum for the discussion of matters relevant to research on and the practice of EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

In furtherance of this objective, the EMDR National/SAR Association shall:

Promote the development and dissemination of EMDR therapy based on the Adaptive Processing Model, enhance the understanding of the potential for EMDR therapy in reducing human suffering from trauma and stress-related conditions, and advocate for the advancement of EMDR therapy as a treatment of choice.

Promote and support research regarding EMDR therapy.

Establish and maintain relationships with their EMDR Regional Association.

Support and uphold standards and guidelines established by their Regional Association. National/SAR standards for the content and structure of Standard/Basic EMDR Therapy training and continuing education in EMDR therapy must meet but may exceed minimum EMDR Regional Association standards. National/SAR Associations should be responsible for issuing the Certification of EMDR practitioners and Accredited/ Approved Consultants.

Seek to co-ordinate the development of training in the practice of EMDR therapy throughout the country.

National Associations should be formed based on national l boundaries, with the exception of Special Administrative Regions, such as Hong Kong or Taiwan.

Guidelines:

  1. The mission and values of the EMDR National/SAR Association must be consistent with those of their geographical Regional Association. If there is no association for the region, the mission and values must be consistent with those of existing Regional Associations (e.g., EMDR Europe, EMDR Asia, The Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa).
  2. The EMDR National/SAR Association is established as the country’s legal equivalent of a not-for-profit or an academic membership association.
  3. Membership in the EMDR National/SAR Association must be open to all practitioners who have completed the first level of a Standard/Basic EMDR Therapy Training approved by the EMDR National/SAR Association and/or a Regional Association
  4. The EMDR National/SAR Board of Directors is democratically elected by the professional membership
  5. EMDR National/SAR organizations shall join an EMDR Regional Association based upon geographic considerations except when compelling reasons, such as political situations, make that unfitting. In that situation, agreement should be reached between the geographic Regional Association, the desired Regional Association, and the National or Special Administrative Region Association desiring affiliation.
  6. The Board of Directors of the EMDR National/SAR Association should appoint a spokesperson as a delegate to the Regional Association. The delegate should have the authority to speak for the EMDR National/SAR Association and should be responsible for all communications between the National Association and the Regional Association.
  7. It is suggested that the EMDR National/SAR Association have a minimum of 20 members, unless the Regional Association allows this number to be changed according to the needs of the country concerned.
  8. In the interest of the availability of Approved/Accredited EMDR therapy trainings, all EMDR Associations will promote fair business practices that do not limit competition or control prices.
  9. The EMDR National/SAR Association should maintain no exclusive legal or financial arrangements with any EMDR trainer, EMDR consultant, practitioner, or training organization.
  10. Minimum standards for the content and structure of Standard/Basic EMDR Therapy Training and continuing education in EMDR therapy must meet the standards established by the EMDR Regional Association. Please see the EMDR Global Alliance Minimum Training Standards for global and regional standards. Contact the national and/or regional association directly for additional information.
  11. Minimum standards for admission to Standard/Basic EMDR Therapy trainings and membership in the EMDR National/SAR Association:
    1. In countries where there is professional licensure as a requirement for psychotherapy practice, the qualifications for such a licensure will be followed.
    2. In countries where the community standards of practice do not include attainment of a governmental licensure to conduct psychotherapy, the standards for trainees will be approved on a national basis. Under such circumstances,
      1. The determination of standards will be decided in collaboration among the EMDR Regional and National/SAR Associations involved, all EMDR training groups or individuals providing trainings in the nation/SAR. and the local sponsors of the EMDR training.
      2. Individuals who complete the approved training will be accorded the same privileges as other graduates of approved EMDR trainings such as a certificate of training completion, eligibility for membership in the EMDR National/SAR Association, and pursuit of additional continuing education and certification approved by the EMDR National/SAR and EMDR Regional Associations.