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Ok thread time bc I am getting the impression people don’t understand how expensive/time consuming getting certified in different trauma modalities actually is for clinicians. I’m going to use EMDR as my example since that’s what I’ve been planning to pursue as my next one. 1/
First there is the initial training, which is two full weekends (Fri/Sat/Sun 8-5:30). Price varies on this but average seems to be $1400-1800. There are also required books/materials, not sure what that will cost. 2/
Once that is completed, you must obtain 20 hours of EMDR consultation, which cost money. Group consultation is cheaper, but you can only use group for 10 of your hours. You must also complete 12 hours of EMDR continuing ed, which also costs money. 3/
(You also must obtain 12 hours of EMDR continuing ed every licensure cycle to maintain certification) There are also I believe 3 recommendation letters required here which thankfully doesn’t cost money but takes time. 4/
Speaking of time, you must also complete 50hrs of EMDR with clients before you can apply for certification. Once you do all that, you pay $350 to get certified, which you will continue to pay every two years, on top of the $325 you pay to renew your general license every 2yrs. 5/
(You also need additional non-EMDR continuing ed every licensure cycle, which also costs money. You also pay for the supplies needed to actually do EMDR. Plus annual liability/malpractice insurance, etc.) 6/
So, when you complain that not enough people are trained in this stuff, pls consider that on top of $70k of student debt + 2yrs unpaid clinical practicum we also need to spend literal thousands of $ to get/stay certified in these things in addition to maintaining our license. 7/
We attend these trainings and do these consultations on weekends or other unpaid time, which is hard to come by when you’re already busy both professionally and personally. It takes significant time. 8/
This is not to imply I’m not v grateful for the trainings I’ve done (last year completed level 1 of PIT training and loved it) or that I’m not v excited to pursue EMDR next, but just to say it’s not as easy as “just go to a training and get certified.” 9/
The cost and time barriers are significant for MANY folks, especially folks in community mental health whose salaries are much lower than say private practice. TL;DR- be mad at the system, not trauma therapists, for the provider shortage. We’re doing our best. 10/10
Addendum- since this unintentionally came across as silencing I’ll just redirect to the original conversation so folks can read the other replies/explanations/conversation from other folks here, and I apologize for speaking out of turn: https://twitter.com/chrissyfarr/status/1349200537636413440
