Flexible distance learning
Study through online materials and live online sessions, so you can build your EMDR skills around your clinical work and the clients you already support.
Entry year
2027/28
EMDR Therapy PG Cert | Northumbria University
- Typical Annual Fee Scholarship & Discount eligibility may apply
- Modules
- Entry Requirements
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Mode of Study
1 year Distance Learning
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Start Date
September 2027
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy at Northumbria
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Postgraduate Certificate at Northumbria trains you to deliver EMDR therapy to people affected by trauma.
Designed for registered mental health professionals, this distance learning course blends online study with live online sessions, so you can learn alongside your clinical work. Explore the Adaptive Information Processing model behind EMDR and the evidence for its use across the life course, then put it into practice through supervised, observed work alongside experienced EMDR Europe Accredited Consultants.
Much of your learning takes place in the practice setting, so every session can connect directly to the clients you support. Reflect critically on ethics, adapt your approach to diverse client needs, and build the confidence to move into specialist practice, supervision, and consultation in the setting where you work.
Learning & Assessment
Learn through online materials, live online sessions, and clinical supervision of your own work. Gain feedback through observation by an EMDR consultant, with assessment of competence and case presentations.
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
- School of Healthcare and Nursing Sciences
- Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Module Information
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
Year One Core Modules
In this module, you learn how to develop critical knowledge and appreciation for the practice of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy for those traumatised by adverse life experiences. EMDR Therapy is a complex, multi-faceted, empirically supported psychological treatment, which integrates many successful elements from a range of evidence-based treatment interventions. This module introduces you to the existing evidence base which will inform your practice. Indicative module content includes:
• The origins of EMDR Therapy from technique, protocolised intervention, to comprehensive psychotherapy.
• EMDR Therapy as an eight-phase treatment intervention.
• The empirical evidence base of EMDR Therapy as a psychological treatment intervention.
• The neurobiology and physiology of stress and trauma.
• Global burden of psychological trauma.
• Trauma, pathogenic memory, and information processing.
• The theoretical framework of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP).
• AIP Case Conceptualisation – treatment planning, intervention, and outcomes.
• Trauma informed psychoeducation and regulation.
• Processing distressing memories, mental health, and well-being.
• EMDR Therapy technical skills and procedures.
• EMDR Therapy clinical supervision and consultation.
You will learn to recognise, critically evaluate, and understand the evidence and frameworks to prepare you to effectively incorporate and apply EMDR Therapy into your existing clinical practice. The module develops your ability to case conceptualise underpinned with theoretical frameworks and based upon current legal, ethical, and professional guidance. To fulfil the EMDR Europe requirements for EMDR Standard Training participants must have 100% attendance and demonstrate competency during EMDR practicum / self-experience sessions to be awarded EMDR Europe Completion of Standard Training Certificate. In addition, attendance records will also be used including ‘sign in’ & ‘sign out’ sheets.
This module will provide you with further training in the practice of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy with more complex, vulnerable populations traumatised by adverse life experiences and should be accessed sequentially after completion of Part A. EMDR Therapy is a complex, multi-faceted, empirically supported psychological treatment, which integrates many successful elements from a range of evidence-based treatment interventions. This module will enable you to effectively incorporate EMDR Therapy into your existing clinical practice as it will build up on and advance your knowledge and skills developed in Part A. Indicative module content includes:
• EMDR Therapy as an eight-phase treatment intervention
• The theoretical framework of Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) as a transdiagnostic means of case conceptualisation and treatment planning.
• AIP Case Conceptualisation – treatment planning, intervention, and outcomes.
• Ethical, moral, and legal aspects in EMDR Therapy.
• Working with unspoken trauma, shame, moral injury, and/or fear based adverse life experiences.
• Theory related to EMDR Therapy and trauma-related conditions for which there is emerging empirical support for the approach and intervention.
• Legal, ethical and research issues regarding EMDR utilisation.
• Advanced EMDR Therapy technical skills and procedures for working with more complex and vulnerable populations.
• Managing challenging clients in EMDR Therapy including dissociative disorders.
• Distinguish essential consensus and distinction between EMDR Therapy and CBT – Trauma Focussed, Prolonged Exposure Therapy and other trauma-focussed treatment interventions.
• EMDR Therapy within the context of international trauma capacity building.
• Future research and developments in EMDR Therapy.
• EMDR Therapy clinical governance and EMDR Europe Accreditation for Practitioners and Consultants (Clinical Supervisors).
• EMDR Therapy clinical supervision and consultation.
By building on your skills so far, you will learn to recognise, critically evaluate, and synthesise the evidence to effectively incorporate and apply EMDR Therapy in challenging contexts. The module develops your ability to identify gaps in current provision and consider future research and development underpinned by current legal, ethical, and professional guidance. To fulfil the EMDR Europe requirements for EMDR Standard Training participants must have 100% attendance and demonstrate competency during EMDR practicum/ self-experience sessions to be awarded EMDR Europe Completion of Standard Training Certificate. In addition, attendance records will also be used including ‘sign in’ & ‘sign out’ sheets.
Entry Requirements 2027/28
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirements for Post Grad Cert, will be evidence of successful level 6 study within the last 5 years, plus 120 credits or equivalence at level 5, plus applicants must provide evidence of the specific eligibility criteria as listed below. To achieve the programme learning outcomes suitable applicants at the point of application must be able to demonstrate that they are working in a clinical environment that has direct access to appropriate clinical populations. Northumbria University holds no responsibility to provide any clinical placements.
Specific eligibility criteria:
• Professional registration documentation (please see list below)
• Written confirmation from their employer that they are prepared to support the Postgraduate Certificate in EMDR Therapy Programme of study
• Evidence of work-based learning public liability insurance (for those applicants in private practice)
• Evidence of DBS check (for those applicants in private practice)
• Evidence of existing engagement with Clinical Supervision prior, or at the
commencement of the programme. NB: these external clinical supervision
arrangements are in addition to the EMDR Therapy Clinical Supervision provided as part of the programme.
Professional registration
Mental Health Professionals
• Clinical Psychologists (Registered with Health and Care Professions Council [HCPC] or
Psychological Society Ireland [PSI])
• Counselling Psychologists (Registered with HCPC)
• Educational Psychologists (Registered with HCPC)
• Forensic Psychologists (Registered with HCPC)
• Psychiatrists (Consultant Psychiatrist, StR / SpR Psychiatry)
• Registered Mental Health Nurses (Nursing & Midwifery Council [NMC])
• Registered Mental Health Social Workers with experience of working clinically in a
mental health setting (HCPC)
NB: Mental health professionals from countries outside the UK and Ireland must fulfil the eligibility criteria for their country of origin and are requested to submit a letter from their national EMDR Association agreeing to them undertaking their training in the UK. Applicants from countries with no national EMDR Association are scrutinized on a case-by-case basis and need to broadly follow our own eligibility criteria, i.e. a mental health professional accredited/registered with a governing body in their own country.
Counsellors/Psychotherapists
MUST hold accreditation OR have submitted proof that they have had their application approved
for provisional accreditation for one of the following professional bodies:
• Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP)
• Association of Christian Counsellors (Accredited Counsellor [AC])
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
• British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
• FDAP Members who have become accredited with the National Counsellor Accreditation
Certificate (NCAC)
• Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)
• Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP)
• National Counselling Society (NCS) members who hold the grade of Accredited Professional, (MNCS Accred Prof)
• United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
General Practitioners
Registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) who are experienced in psychotherapy and
psychological trauma and are an accredited counsellor or psychotherapist or working towards a
psychotherapy accreditation.
Clinical & Counselling Psychologists
In final year of training are acceptable with letter of recommendation from their supervisor.
Art Psychotherapists
Registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) plus mental health training and
working in a mental health setting may be accepted.
Occupational Therapists
Registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) plus mental health training and
working in a mental health setting may be accepted.
For Full-time International Students eligibility is based also upon obtaining a 1-year visa for academic study within the United Kingdom. For further details: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/student-visas
Fees and Funding 2027/28 Entry
Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
*if your course is longer than one year
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
There are no Additional Costs
Scholarships and Discounts
Apply Now
Start your application
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
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Why Northumbria?
Supervised clinical practice
Gain confidence through observed practice and 10 hours of clinical supervision with experienced EMDR Europe Accredited Consultants, applying what you learn in your own setting.
A route to Master’s study
Credits from your PG Cert can count towards year two of the MSc Professional Practice in Health via recognition of prior learning, within five years.
Practice that fits your clients
Learn to adapt EMDR for younger and older people and different cultural backgrounds, grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing model and the research behind it.
Academic and personal support
Support from tutors and access to wellbeing and career services help you balance study with a demanding clinical role.
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Flexible distance learning
Study through online materials and live online sessions, so you can build your EMDR skills around your clinical work and the clients you already support.
-
Supervised clinical practice
Gain confidence through observed practice and 10 hours of clinical supervision with experienced EMDR Europe Accredited Consultants, applying what you learn in your own setting.
-
A route to Master’s study
Credits from your PG Cert can count towards year two of the MSc Professional Practice in Health via recognition of prior learning, within five years.
-
Practice that fits your clients
Learn to adapt EMDR for younger and older people and different cultural backgrounds, grounded in the Adaptive Information Processing model and the research behind it.
-
Academic and personal support
Support from tutors and access to wellbeing and career services help you balance study with a demanding clinical role.
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Accreditations & Partnerships
The course aligns with the EMDR Europe Accreditation Competency Framework and the UCL Competence Framework for EMDR, preparing you to deliver EMDR therapy within the scope of NICE guidance (2018).
Career Prospects
The EMDR knowledge, clinical skills, and reflective practice you build on this course strengthen your expertise in trauma-focused care across mental health settings. Your credits can also be recognised towards year two of the MSc Professional Practice in Health within five years, through recognition of prior learning. Graduates of this course can aspire to advance into roles such as specialist trauma clinician, clinical supervisor, consultant, or trainer, or work towards EMDR Europe accreditation, which has additional requirements and fees.
Graduates of this course can aspire to advance into careers such as user researcher, UX designer, interaction designer or human factors engineer, or progress to doctoral study in HCI, or may wish to explore further specialisation in emerging areas such as AI-driven design, adding depth to their professional profile.
Graduates of this course can aspire to advance into careers such as user researcher, UX designer, interaction designer or human factors engineer, or progress to doctoral study in HCI, or may wish to explore further specialisation in emerging areas such as AI-driven design, adding depth to their professional profile.
Student Projects
Your own clinical work is the starting point for learning. Potential student projects could span topics such as adapting EMDR for younger or older clients, cultural sensitivity in trauma therapy, early trauma interventions, or building trauma capacity within a service, drawing on the clients and settings you already work with.
Group design work throughout the course gives you the chance to test ideas collaboratively, present your reasoning to peers and refine your approach based on feedback, building the reflective practice expected of a professional HCI practitioner ready to justify design decisions with evidence.
Group design work throughout the course gives you the chance to test ideas collaboratively, present your reasoning to peers and refine your approach based on feedback, building the reflective practice expected of a professional HCI practitioner ready to justify design decisions with evidence.
Facilities
Northumbria’s online learning environment enables you to study flexibly, with e-lectures, reading lists, training guides, and assessment information in one place. Extensive print and electronic library collections and databases support your research, while academic support you can book online offers guidance. Although you study at a distance, you can also use Northumbria’s campus facilities in Newcastle when you need to.
You can now experience Northumbria University from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive virtual tours and interactive 360 images allow you to explore our vibrant campus and dynamic learning spaces, all from anywhere in the world.
You can now experience Northumbria University from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive virtual tours and interactive 360 images allow you to explore our vibrant campus and dynamic learning spaces, all from anywhere in the world.
Teaching Staff
The course is led by an EMDR Europe Accredited Consultant and Trainer, with supervised practice delivered by experienced EMDR Europe Accredited Consultants. Learn within a university whose research in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy is ranked 8th in the UK for research power (REF 2021).
Any Questions?
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901.
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Page last reviewed: 2 November 2026
