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Who developed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy?

Francine Shapiro

Bessel van der Kolk

Judith Herman

Peter Levine

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: EMDRIA Certified Exam

Phases of EMDR

Shapiro 2018

50 hrs

Basic Training Minimum

EMDRIA

20 hrs

Consultation for Certification

EMDRIA

50 sessions

Clinical EMDR for Certification

EMDRIA

12 CEs

Maintenance (every 2 yrs)

EMDRIA

No exam

Certification Format

Competency-based

EMDRIA does NOT administer a written certification exam — the Certified EMDR Therapist credential is competency-based, requiring EMDRIA-approved Basic Training (50+ hours), 2 years post-licensure experience, 50 clinical EMDR sessions with 25+ clients, 20 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant (10 individual), 12 EMDR-specific CE credits, and letters of recommendation. Maintenance requires 12 EMDRIA-approved CE credits every 2 years. This practice set covers the content knowledge a Certified EMDR Therapist must demonstrate: Shapiro's 8 phases, the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, target selection, cognitive interweaves, complex trauma adaptations, dissociation screening (DES-II), EMDR with children, neurobiology of trauma, and EMDRIA Standards of Practice.

Sample EMDRIA Certified Practice Questions

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1Who developed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy?

A.Francine Shapiro

B.Bessel van der Kolk

C.Judith Herman

D.Peter Levine

Explanation: Francine Shapiro developed EMDR in 1987 after observing that eye movements appeared to reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts during a walk in a park. She formalized the 8-phase protocol and founded the EMDR Institute. Her foundational text 'Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures' remains the primary source for EMDR practice.

2How many phases are in the standard EMDR protocol as defined by Shapiro?

A.8 phases

B.6 phases

C.7 phases

D.10 phases

Explanation: Shapiro's standard EMDR protocol consists of 8 phases: (1) History Taking, (2) Preparation, (3) Assessment, (4) Desensitization, (5) Installation, (6) Body Scan, (7) Closure, and (8) Reevaluation. All EMDRIA-approved basic training programs teach this 8-phase model as the standard protocol.

3What theoretical model underlies EMDR therapy?

A.Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model

B.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model

C.Psychodynamic attachment model

D.Polyvagal theory

Explanation: The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, developed by Shapiro, is the theoretical foundation of EMDR. It posits that the brain has an innate information processing system that, when functioning adaptively, integrates experiences into existing memory networks. Trauma can block this processing, leaving memories stored in a dysfunctional, state-specific form that drives present symptoms.

4According to the AIP model, what causes psychological symptoms from traumatic memories?

A.Memories stored in a dysfunctional, state-specific form that are not integrated into adaptive networks

B.Chemical imbalances in the brain's limbic system

C.Conditioned fear responses requiring exposure therapy

D.Unconscious defense mechanisms blocking awareness

Explanation: In the AIP model, symptoms arise because traumatic memories are stored in their original distressing form — with the same emotions, body sensations, images, and beliefs present at the time of the event — and are not integrated with adaptive information. EMDR bilateral stimulation is theorized to jumpstart the natural processing system, allowing the memory to link with adaptive networks.

5What is the primary purpose of Phase 1 (History Taking) in EMDR?

A.Gather client history, assess suitability, and identify targets for reprocessing

B.Teach the client coping skills like the Safe Place

C.Begin bilateral stimulation on the most disturbing memory

D.Establish rapport without discussing trauma

Explanation: Phase 1 (History Taking) involves gathering a comprehensive client history, assessing readiness and stability, screening for dissociation, and identifying targets for reprocessing — including past events, present triggers, and future goals (the three-prong protocol). It is not the place for stabilization techniques (Phase 2) or bilateral stimulation.

6What is established during Phase 2 (Preparation) of EMDR?

A.Therapeutic alliance, client education about EMDR, and resource installation including the Safe/Calm Place

B.The SUD and VoC ratings for the target memory

C.The body scan and closure procedure

D.The negative cognition and positive cognition

Explanation: Phase 2 (Preparation) establishes the therapeutic alliance, educates the client about EMDR and the AIP model, sets expectations, teaches the stop signal, and installs resources such as the Safe/Calm Place and other self-regulation skills. SUD/VoC, negative/positive cognitions, and body scan are all parts of Phase 3 (Assessment) or later phases.

7What does SUD stand for in EMDR assessment?

A.Subjective Units of Disturbance

B.Symptom Unit Disturbance

C.Subjective Unit of Dissociation

D.Severity of Unresolved Distress

Explanation: SUD stands for Subjective Units of Disturbance, rated on a 0-10 scale where 0 = no disturbance/neutral and 10 = the worst disturbance imaginable. The scale was originally developed by Joseph Wolpe and adapted by Shapiro for EMDR to measure the emotional intensity of a target memory before, during, and after desensitization.

8What does VoC stand for and what scale is used?

A.Validity of Cognition, rated 1-7

B.Value of Cognition, rated 0-10

C.Verification of Content, rated 1-5

D.Validity of Change, rated 0-7

Explanation: VoC stands for Validity of Cognition, rated on a 1-7 scale where 1 = completely false and 7 = completely true. It measures how true the positive cognition (PC) feels to the client at a gut level when paired with the target memory. The VoC is assessed in Phase 3 and the goal in Phase 5 (Installation) is typically to reach a VoC of 7.

9Which element is NOT part of the Phase 3 Assessment procedure?

A.Installing a Safe Place resource

B.Identifying the negative cognition (NC)

C.Noticing the body sensation associated with the memory

D.Eliciting the image that represents the worst part of the memory

Explanation: Installing a Safe Place occurs in Phase 2 (Preparation), not Phase 3 (Assessment). Phase 3 elements include: image representing worst part, negative cognition (NC), positive cognition (PC), VoC baseline, current emotion, SUD baseline, and location of body sensation. These components activate the target memory network for desensitization.

10In EMDR, what characterizes an effective negative cognition (NC)?

A.A presently held, irrational, self-referencing negative belief related to the target memory

B.An objective description of what happened in the traumatic event

C.A future-focused fear about what might happen

D.A statement about other people's behavior during the event

Explanation: An effective NC is a present-tense, self-referencing, irrational negative belief about the self (e.g., 'I am powerless', 'I am not safe', 'I am unlovable'). It is not a description of the event, a fact, a feeling, or about others. Common NC themes fall into responsibility/defectiveness, safety, and control/choice domains per Shapiro's cognition list.

About the EMDRIA Certified Exam

EMDRIA does NOT require a written exam for the Certified EMDR Therapist credential — certification is competency-based (50 clinical EMDR sessions, 20 consultation hours with an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, 12 EMDR-specific CE hours, 2+ years licensed). This practice set covers the content knowledge a Certified EMDR Therapist must demonstrate.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Self-paced practice

Passing Score

80% recommended

Exam Fee

$0 (practice); EMDRIA certification application $200 (EMDRIA)

EMDRIA Certified Exam Content Outline

40%

The 8 Phases of EMDR

History taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, reevaluation

15%

Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model

Shapiro's theoretical model of memory networks, working mechanisms, and memory reconsolidation

10%

Target Selection & Three-Prong Protocol

Touchstone memories, floatback, affect bridge, past-present-future template

10%

Cognitive Interweaves & Blocked Processing

Responsibility, safety, choice interweaves; feeder memories and blocking beliefs

10%

Complex Trauma & Dissociation

Phase-oriented treatment, DES-II screening, structural dissociation, stabilization

10%

Ethics & EMDRIA Standards of Practice

Basic training requirements, certification pathway, scope of practice, consultant roles

EMDR with Children

Developmental adaptations, Butterfly Hug, Adler-Tapia/Lovett/Gomez protocols

How to Pass the EMDRIA Certified Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 80% recommended
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: Self-paced practice
Exam fee: $0 (practice); EMDRIA certification application $200

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

EMDRIA Certified Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study Shapiro's 'Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures' (3rd ed., 2018) — the foundational text

2Memorize the 8 phases in order and know the specific components of each — especially Phase 3 Assessment elements (image, NC, PC, VoC, emotion, SUD, body)

3Learn the responsibility / safety / control cognition clusters — matching NC to PC domain is critical

4Practice identifying cognitive interweave opportunities for looping/blocked processing (responsibility, present safety, choice interweaves)

5Review phase-oriented treatment for complex trauma (Herman, van der Hart) and dissociation screening with DES-II

6Study EMDR with children adaptations — Adler-Tapia, Gomez, Lovett, Butterfly Hug (Artigas & Jarero)

7Consult regularly with an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant — both for certification hours and clinical growth

Frequently Asked Questions

Does EMDRIA require a written exam for certification?

No. EMDRIA does NOT administer a written certification exam for the Certified EMDR Therapist credential. Certification is competency-based: applicants must complete an EMDRIA-approved Basic Training (at least 50 hours), hold a mental health license for at least 2 years, complete 50 clinical EMDR sessions with 25+ clients, obtain 20 hours of consultation from an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant (at least 10 individual), earn 12 EMDR-specific CE credits, and submit letters of recommendation. This practice set covers the content knowledge a Certified EMDR Therapist should master.

What is the EMDRIA certification application fee?

EMDRIA charges a certification application fee (approximately $200 for members at current rates) plus an annual EMDRIA membership fee. Costs for Basic Training (~$1,500–$2,500) and the required 20 hours of consultation (typically $100–$200 per hour) are additional. Check emdria.org for the current fee schedule.

What are the 8 phases of EMDR?

Shapiro's standard EMDR protocol has 8 phases: (1) History Taking, (2) Preparation, (3) Assessment, (4) Desensitization, (5) Installation, (6) Body Scan, (7) Closure, and (8) Reevaluation. Each phase has specific procedures, and all EMDRIA-approved basic trainings teach this 8-phase model as the standard protocol.

What is the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model?

The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model is the theoretical foundation of EMDR, developed by Francine Shapiro. It posits that the brain has an innate information processing system that integrates experiences into adaptive memory networks. Trauma disrupts this processing, leaving memories stored in a dysfunctional, state-specific form. EMDR bilateral stimulation is theorized to jumpstart the natural processing system, allowing memories to link with adaptive networks.

How long does it take to become EMDRIA Certified?

Most clinicians take 1–3 years to become EMDRIA Certified after basic training. You must first complete an EMDRIA-approved Basic Training, then have 2+ years of licensed practice, complete 50 clinical EMDR sessions with 25+ distinct clients, obtain 20 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, earn 12 EMDR-specific CE credits, and submit letters of recommendation.

What is the difference between EMDR-trained and EMDRIA Certified?

An 'EMDR-trained' therapist has completed an EMDRIA-approved Basic Training (minimum 50 hours). An 'EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist' has additionally met advanced experience, consultation, and continuing education requirements. Certification signals a higher level of demonstrated EMDR competency and is maintained with 12 EMDRIA-approved CE credits every 2 years.

How do I maintain EMDRIA Certification?

To maintain EMDRIA Certification you must earn 12 EMDRIA-approved continuing education credits every 2 years, maintain current mental health licensure, and adhere to EMDRIA Standards of Practice and your licensing board's ethics code. Renewal is through EMDRIA membership.

Who developed EMDR therapy?

Francine Shapiro developed EMDR in 1987 after observing that eye movements appeared to reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts. She formalized the 8-phase protocol, founded the EMDR Institute, and authored the foundational text 'Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures' (now in its 3rd edition, 2018).