Why So Many Therapists Feel Nervous Using EMDR After Basic Training &How to Move Through It
One of the most common things I hear from therapists after EMDR basic training is some version of: I know this can help, but I’m scared to do it wrong. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. I’ve been an EMDR-trained clinician for over six years, and now as a certified EMDR therapist and consultant-in-training through EMDRIA, I can say with confidence that this fear is incredibly normal. In many ways, it makes sense.
Why the Nervousness Happens
EMDR can feel very different from traditional talk therapy. It is structured, experiential, and asks us to trust a process that can feel less predictable at first. Many therapists worry they will overwhelm a client, miss something important, or not know exactly what to do if the session takes an unexpected turn. Others feel uneasy because they are used to understanding and tracking their client’s experience in a very explicit, verbal way. In EMDR, the work often asks us to tolerate not knowing everything in real time - and that can feel vulnerable for therapists, too.
Most Therapists Are Not Hesitant Because They Don’t Care. They’re Hesitant Because They Do
In my experience, most therapists are not holding back from EMDR because they are careless or uninterested. Quite the opposite: they are deeply committed to not causing harm. That caution often comes from a sincere desire to protect clients, especially clients with painful histories. But avoiding EMDR altogether is not always the safest option. Simply talking about trauma can activate the nervous system and bring up distress, even in well-intentioned therapy. EMDR reprocessing can be useful precisely because it gives us a structured way to help clients metabolize what gets activated, rather than just circling around it with words alone.
It Can Feel Strange Not to Know Everything Your Client Is Experiencing
This is another big reason therapists feel uneasy with EMDR at first: we are trained to listen for content, patterns, meaning, and narrative. EMDR asks us to pay close attention to all of that, while also recognizing that not every part of a client’s inner experience needs to be spoken out loud for healing to happen. Therapists can feel funny—or even irresponsible—when they do not know every image, sensation, or association that arises. That is normal. It does not mean you are doing therapy poorly. Often, it means you are learning to trust the client’s nervous system, the protocol, and your own ability to stay grounded and attuned without over-directing the process.
How to Build Confidence After Basic Training
Confidence with EMDR usually does not come from waiting until you feel completely ready. It comes from support, repetition, and practice. Consultation is one of the most important ways to grow. Ongoing consultation helps therapists think through case conceptualization, troubleshoot stuck points, and feel less alone in the learning process. Starting with carefully selected clients can also help. You do not have to begin with the most complex presentation on your caseload. Reviewing the standard protocol, refreshing your preparation phase skills, and allowing yourself to be a learner again can make a meaningful difference. Peer consultation groups, advanced trainings, and simply continuing to practice all help transform EMDR from something you understand intellectually into something you can offer with steadiness and clarity.
A Final Word for Therapists Who Are Hesitant
If you feel nervous using EMDR after basic training, that does not mean you are not capable. It likely means you care deeply about your clients and want to practice responsibly. That is a strength, not a flaw. With time, consultation, and supported practice, EMDR can become a grounded and powerful part of your clinical work. You do not need to know everything in every moment to do good EMDR therapy. You need curiosity, humility, attunement, and a willingness to keep learning.
