Why Clinicians Stop Using EMDR (And How EMDR Consultation Helps)
Some clinicians struggle to integrate EMDR into practice after training. A 2023 systematic review of clinicians’ views identified barriers including confidence, access to supervision and workplace support. These findings describe several obstacles; they do not establish that most clinicians stop using EMDR within a few months.
The gap between training and the room
Basic Training introduces the eight-phase protocol and the AIP model. Applying them in practice also requires decisions about the individual client, available support and service setting. A clinician may know the steps yet still need help with case formulation or pacing.
Why the sessions start to feel unclear
Questions about case conceptualization, target selection and stalled processing are useful topics for consultation. They need to be considered alongside the client’s presentation and the clinician’s training and experience.
How that becomes avoidance
A clinician who lacks confidence or support may use EMDR selectively or less often. The reasons vary; training alone does not remove workplace barriers or guarantee continued use.
What consultation actually changes
EMDR consultation offers a setting to examine readiness, targeting, dissociation and preparation questions. Clinicians pursuing certification should confirm which consultation arrangements meet the current EMDRIA requirements. At Paradise Institute, consultation focuses on case formulation and the reasoning behind treatment decisions.
Consultation at Paradise Institute is led by Dr. Timothy Vermillion, DSW, LCSW, BCD, an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Approved Trainer.
Updated September 11, 2026: added research attribution and clarified the limits of the claims about post-training use.
