Welcome to EMDR Group Consultation with Vanessa Simmons, LPC, SEP, RPT, EMDRIA Approved Consultant-in-Training.

I’m honored to support you as you continue developing your skills and confidence as an EMDR therapist within a collaborative group setting.

Before we begin, please complete the biographic information below, review and sign the Group Consultation Contract Agreement, and upload a copy of your EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training certificate of completion. Kindly submit all materials at least 7 days prior to our first group session.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at contact@meadowgrovecounseling.com.

I look forward to working with you and supporting your journey toward EMDR Certification—together, we grow stronger.

Warmly,

Vanessa

Purpose of This Agreement

The purpose of this agreement is to provide clarity around the goals, structure, and expectations of our group consultation work together. EMDR consultation is an essential part of the growth and development of an EMDR clinician as they gain confidence, proficiency, and fidelity in applying the Standard Protocol and using EMDR therapy effectively and ethically.

This agreement is specifically for group consultation only, which is designed to offer collaborative learning, shared case discussion, and skill refinement in a supportive peer environment.

EMDRIA Certification Requirements (as of current guidelines)

• EMDRIA requires a total of 20 hours of consultation for certification.
• Of those, a minimum of 10 hours must be individual consultation.
• Up to 10 hours may be completed in group consultation (groups must be 2–8 participants).
• As a Consultant-in-Training, I may provide up to 15 of the 20 required consultation hours toward certification.
• The remaining 5 hours must be with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant.

Please consult the EMDRIA website for any updates to certification requirements.

My Role as a Consultant-in-Training

As your group consultant, I am committed to providing a safe, respectful, and constructive environment where you can deepen your understanding and practice of EMDR. My role includes:

• Offering feedback, support, and encouragement.
• Monitoring your progress and giving suggestions for further development.
• Tracking your consultation hours and maintaining documentation for five years from the conclusion of our work together.
• Providing a letter confirming hours of group consultation attendance, and, if appropriate, contributing a letter of recommendation as part of your certification process.

Please note that I do not provide supervision. You remain fully responsible for your clinical work and the therapeutic relationship with your clients. Consultation does not substitute for foundational psychotherapy training or clinical supervision.

Expectations for Group Consultation Participants

Active and respectful participation in group consultation is required. Group consultation is most effective when all participants are engaged and contributing. To get the most out of group consultation, please:

• Come prepared to discuss at least one current case, including:
  • A brief clinical history.
  • The EMDR phase(s) you’re working on.
  • A specific question or challenge you'd like to address.
• Maintain client confidentiality at all times. Do not include identifying information in verbal or written materials.
• Be open to learning from others’ case discussions and sharing your insights with your peers.
• Participate consistently and on time.

Ethics & Professional Responsibility

You are expected to practice within the ethical and legal guidelines of your professional license and association(s). In the absence of a professional association, EMDRIA adheres to the APA Code of Ethics. It is your responsibility to remain informed of current laws, licensing board rules, and ethical standards relevant to your practice.

Attendance, Cancellation Policy, and Fees

• Each 2-hour group consultation session is $60.
• Payment is due at the time of sign-up to reserve your spot.
• Group consultations are limited to a maximum of 8 participants.
• Consultation hours will only be awarded for the time you are present during the group session. Partial attendance (arriving late or leaving early) will result in a prorated reduction of hours and may not count toward EMDRIA consultation requirements.
• If you need to cancel, you must provide at least 48 hours’ notice to receive:
  • A full refund, or
  • The opportunity to apply your payment toward a future group consultation.
• Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice or no-shows are non-refundable and cannot be applied to future sessions.

Attendance Contingency Policy:

• If only two participants are signed up for a scheduled group session, I will contact you in advance to offer the option of meeting for 1 hour instead. In this case, you would receive:
  • 30 minutes of individual consultation
  • 30 minutes of group consultation
  • These hours will count separately toward your EMDRIA certification (i.e., 0.5 hours individual + 0.5 hours group).
• If only one participant is signed up for a scheduled group session, I will offer you the option to:
  • Cancel or reschedule the session, or
  • Meet for individual consultation instead (at the applicable individual rate).

Final Notes

• The process of becoming an EMDR Certified Therapist often takes a year or more, depending on your pace and practice context. Growth takes time, this is not a race.
• Additional readings, resources, or assignments may be recommended to support your learning and development.
• If you do not demonstrate adequate fidelity to the Standard Protocol or integration of EMDR principles, I may document areas needing improvement in lieu of a recommendation letter.

Please sign below to acknowledge you have read and understand this Contract of Agreement for EMDR Consultation.

Name of Consultant-in-Training 

Vanessa Simmons, LPC, SEP, RPT

 

Signature of Consultant-in-Training