* Special Message From Barb Maiberger *
As I reflect on the beginning of my EMDR journey, I can hardly believe that I learned EMDR therapy twenty-four years ago and somehow found my way to teaching this powerful somatic way of healing trauma. What I have learned over these past decades is that teaching EMDR has been a privilege that cannot be taken for granted because what I say and do has a profound impact on others. My passion for EMDR has been unwavering and has helped me grow as a trainer, consultant, and even as a person. I have stood steadfast that EMDR therapy must be approached as a comprehensive psychotherapeutic modality, be practiced from a trauma-informed lens, honoring each client’s unique intersectional identity while integrating my passion, somatic psychology.
To bring my somatic knowledge into teaching EMDR, I had to recognize that many therapists are not trained in somatic psychology in their master’s programs. Learning how to recognize and work with nonverbal communications is essential in this work. It can be a big shift from relying on a client’s narrative and finding solutions for change, to letting go of control and trusting the process of EMDR. Allowing the client’s inherent wisdom to guide the sessions somatically is where the magic of EMDR therapy lives.
For many EMDR therapists though, the sense of magic can sometimes be a pressure to perform quick results. The pressure can be so huge sometimes, that some therapists will override their instincts and push for results rather than listening to the client’s needs and their own instincts. Sadly, I have heard too many stories of therapists and clients never doing EMDR therapy again because of these negative experiences.
As a part of my mission as an EMDR trainer, I have spent many hours helping therapists overcome this societal pressure of performance and give therapists the tools to make good clinical decisions. For me, the only way to approach EMDR therapy safely and effectively is to incorporate the values of somatic psychology. This sometimes means slowing down the phases of EMDR therapy which can feel counterintuitive to the EMDR process. With enough safety, support, and guidance in my EMDR courses, I have found that when therapists take the time to develop safety and stability for their clients, while trusting their own bodies to guide their intuition, the clients can receive the benefits of EMDR.
Now the time has come for me to listen to my bodymind too, which is telling me it is time to stop teaching EMDR training courses and workshops. I am proud to say that I have trained thousands of therapists, conducted over a hundred EMDR training courses and workshops, written and spoken about EMDR therapy, as well as, consulted with thousands of therapists around the country integrating EMDR therapy successfully into their practices. I would have never predicted this kind of accomplishment so many years ago when I first learned this therapy.
I am grateful to all my mentors who helped me develop skills to listen to my bodymind connection and who modeled how to be an embodied teacher. I appreciate my colleagues who helped me see my strengths and inspired my creativity, to recognize that I had something important to share with other therapists. I am touched by all the
EMDR consultants and trainers I have worked with who generously shared their passion and experience with other therapists to help them on their EMDR journeys. I am honored that so many therapists have trusted me, to be their guide on transforming their practices and to become more embodied EMDR practitioners. I am especially grateful for learning to let go and trust that growth can come from the unknown aspects of healing. This growth often leaves me in a sense of wonder and awe, which is guiding me in my decision to stop teaching EMDR.
I will treasure all the moments of laughter, joy, and gratitude watching your lives change right before my eyes. Many of you have shared personal stories of life change as well as profound healing for your clients that has touched me deeply that I will never forget. I am also grateful to those who challenged me to be a more conscious and aware educator, compassionate consultant and more embodied person overall. Every interaction that I have had with each of you, has provided me with the opportunity for growth mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Often, I have been brought to tears witnessing your enthusiasm to be out of your comfort zone and embrace the unknown, seeing your confidence grow and finding purpose and meaning in your work. Your stories of clients moving from a place of pain into a place of hope and fortification has fulfilled me beyond my imagination.
My hope for the future is that all of you will continue the legacy of being embodied EMDR practitioners. That you will treat EMDR as a compressive psychotherapeutic modality and not just a tool in your toolbox making sure that you continue to incorporate somatic principles and interventions into your work. I trust that you will be lifelong learners, take the time to listen to your bodymind wisdom, continue to enhance your clinical skills, while being critical thinkers, and not just accepting the latest, quickest, fastest, shiniest new modality of EMDR therapy as the answer to all your clients’ problems. Remember, that as an embodied practitioner, you are modeling for your clients how to become more embodied, fortifying and building strength and resiliency.
You are a part of a huge web of healing that goes beyond me. Every client you work with is a part of this embodied EMDR legacy. The world desperately needs you right now because you are the heart and soul of your community. Remember that #EMDRSAVESLIVES® and continue to share this gift as much as you can. Knowing that you are continuing this embodied legacy of EMDR therapy, gives me hope that I can trust my intuition and embrace what my bodymind is telling me; it is time to let go.
I know that some of you are going to have questions about what will happen next for the Maiberger Institute, and those questions will be answered at the end of this post. For those trying to reach out to me directly, at this time, I am still on sabbatical and will not be reachable. For now, I just wanted to share what is going on for me, and hope that you can find it in your hearts to support me on my path wherever it may take me, because I know that it will be something I could have never imagined before, just like my unexpected EMDR journey.
With gratitude,
Barb
FAQ
If you completed any course or workshop through the Maiberger Institute, a Certificate of Completion would have been provided to you once you met all the requirements for the course or workshop you attended.
To obtain another copy of your Certificate of Completion, please contact [email protected] and include the following in your email correspondence:
- Subject: Request for Certificate of Completion Replacement
- Your First Name:
- Your Last Name:
- Name of Course or Workshop:
- Start Date of Course or Workshop:
- Date of Completion:
- Name of Instructor(s):
It is also imperative that you contact us from the email account you used when you attended the course in order confirm your records. Additional information and steps will be required if you no longer have access to your original email account.
The replacement fee is $75:
- We do not verify records via phone/videochat.
- Only digital replacement copies will be provided (PDF)
- Physical printed replacement copies are not available.
- The digital replacement copy will be delivered via email .
Yes. Upon completion of Remote EMDR Training, you will receive an “EMDR Training Certificate of Completion” from the Maiberger Institute. This means you received EMDR training that meets or exceeds a standard EMDR basic training program, and that you may begin offering and practicing EMDR therapy with clients. You will also be eligible to get listed on our EMDR Therapist Directory (free).
Once you’ve completed your training, and get listed on our directory, you then have the option of becoming a “Certified EMDR Therapist” through the Maiberger Institute as well. Visit our EMDR Certification page for more details.
You do not need to be a “Certified EMDR Therapist” to practice EMDR therapy. However, therapists who continue on to become a “Certified EMDR Therapist” deepen their skill level as an EMDR therapist, and enjoy using EMDR therapy in more expansive and creative ways.
For those of you wanting become a “Certified EMDR Therapist” through the Maiberger Institute, please visit the EMDR Certification page for more information.
The Maiberger Institute will not be taking on any new candidates for its EMDR Certification Program after October 1, 2025.
Yes, if you completed the Remote EMDR Training, which includes 40 hours of training and 10 hours of group consultation, you are considered EMDR-trained and are eligible to begin practicing EMDR therapy with clients, provided you hold an active state mental license for that. You receive a Certificate of Completion from the Maiberger Institute upon completing the training, signifying that you have received EMDR training.
For example, you can update your CV/bio/profile to say:
- “I completed my EMDR training through the Maiberger Institute”
- “I am trained in EMDR therapy.”
- “I am an EMDR therapist.”
- “I am EMDR-trained.”
EMDR-Trained vs. EMDR-Certified:
It is important to note there is a difference between an “EMDR-trained” (“EMDR therapist”) vs “EMDR-certified” (“Certified EMDR Therapist”) as certification requires additional training and consultation beyond initial EMDR training.
Completing the Maiberger Institute’s training makes you “EMDR-trained,” which is the foundational step to using the therapy. EMDR Certification is a separate, optional process.
Eligibility to Practice EMDR Therapy:
Once you have your Certificate of Completion, you can begin offering EMDR therapy to clients as long as you have a valid state mental health license to practice.
To join the EMDR Therapist Directory™️, you must meet the following requirements:
- Completed a Maiberger Institute EMDR Training course or Remote EMDR Training course.
- Currently state licensed as a mental health clinician.
- Must join the EMDR Therapist Directory before October 1, 2025. No new submission will be considered after this date.
All profiles must also have a profile photo and have a physical mailing address (no P.O. Boxes). More details can be found on the EMDR Therapist Directory™️
It is also important to note that in order to be a Candidate for our EMDR Certification Program, clinicians must complete the Remote EMDR Training course AND also be listed on the EMDR Therapist Directory™️ (both are required).
The Maiberger Institute will not be taking on any new candidates for its EMDR Certification Program after October 1, 2025.
All candidates must pass their EMDR Certification Exam before October 1, 2029. No certification status will be awarded after this date.
No. Barb is not taking on any new EMDR Therapists for consultation and group consultations. Barb is also not available for therapy sessions.
For those seeking EMDR consultation services, a list of Maiberger Institute Certified EMDR Consultants can be found on our EMDR Therapist Directory™️
As of September 1, 2025, the Maiberger Institute will no longer be providing EMDR training courses and workshops.
Any training materials that were provided during our courses and workshops were only available for the duration of those courses and workshops. All training materials are then archived, and eventually depreciated (deleted/destroyed).
The Maiberger Institute has discontinued its EMDR Certification Programs for becoming a Certified EMDR Consultant, or Certified EMDR Training Facilitator, or Certified EMDR Trainer.
Those that have obtained status as a Certified EMD Consultant, or Certified EMDR Training Facilitator, or Certified EMDR Trainer have a lifetime certification status through the Maiberger Institute (assuming their state mental health license and the profile on our EMDR Therapist Directory remain active).