RED FLAGS & GREEN FLAGS: How to Know Your EMDR Therapist Actually Knows What They're Doing

You've decided EMDR might be the answer.

Smart.

You've read the research. You understand the potential. You know this could actually help you.

Now comes the hard part: Making sure the person you hire to do this actually knows what they're doing.

Not all EMDR therapists are created equal.

Some have real, rigorous training. Some took a weekend course and hung out a shingle. Some understand the neuroscience. Some just move their fingers and call it EMDR.

The difference matters. Bad EMDR can re-traumatize you.

Here's how to tell the difference.

RED FLAGS: What to Watch For

Red Flag #1: They Claim to Do EMDR But Can't Explain Bilateral Stimulation

Ask them directly: "How does bilateral stimulation work? Why eye movements specifically?"

If they fumble. If they get vague. If they say something like "we don't really know, it just works"—that's a red flag.

They don't understand the mechanism.

A trained EMDR therapist can explain it clearly: Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds) activates both hemispheres of your brain simultaneously, facilitating memory reprocessing. Your brain can integrate the stuck trauma while both sides are engaged.

They might not know all the neuroscience details, but they should be able to explain the basic mechanism simply.

Green Flag: They explain it accurately and can answer follow-up questions.

Red Flag #2: They Claim to Be "EMDRIA-Trained" But Have No Certification

This is a big one in India especially.

EMDRIA training ≠ EMDRIA certification.

Training = They took a 2-3 day workshop on EMDR basics. Maybe 20-40 hours. Initial education.

Certification = They completed 100+ hours of supervised practice AFTER training. They were evaluated. They passed. They maintain standards.

There's a massive difference.

Someone can say "I'm EMDRIA-trained" and have done basically nothing beyond a weekend course. Legally, it's true. Ethically, it's misleading.

Green Flag: They say "EMDRIA-certified" OR they say "Currently completing EMDRIA-approved training under supervision" (which shows they're on the path but honest about where they are).

Red Flag #3: They Want to Start Processing on Day One

If a therapist says "Let's jump into your trauma in our first session," walk out.

Proper EMDR requires preparation.

Sessions 1-3 should be:

• Detailed screening and history
• Building safety and rapport
• Explaining the EMDR process
• Teaching grounding and stabilization techniques
• Assessing readiness

Only after this preparation is your nervous system ready to process trauma directly.

A therapist who wants to dive into processing immediately either:

• Doesn't know proper EMDR protocol
• Is rushing to get results (bad for you)
• Isn't assessing safety properly

Green Flag: They clearly explain the prep phase and why it's necessary. They say something like: "Sessions 1-3 are screening and preparation. Session 4 we'll assess if you're ready to start processing."

Red Flag #4: They've Never Mentioned Nervous System, Amygdala, or Threat Response

If they just say "eye movements" without explaining WHY or HOW the nervous system reprocesses—they're oversimplifying or they don't fully understand.

A real EMDR therapist talks about:

• Your nervous system and how trauma gets stuck
• The amygdala and threat detection
• Why bilateral stimulation facilitates reprocessing
• How neuroplasticity allows your brain to rewire

They don't need to give a neuroscience lecture. But they should reference these concepts naturally.

Green Flag: They reference nervous system, amygdala, threat response, or reprocessing when explaining how EMDR works.

Red Flag #5: They Charge Significantly More Than ₹2,500-3,500 Per Session

Yes, expertise costs money.

EMDR therapists who are well-trained and experienced should charge more than general counselors.

But ₹8,000-10,000+ per session? That's overpriced for teletherapy in India, especially if they're not MD or super specialized.

Watch out for therapists pricing themselves like they're celebrity clinicians when they're just EMDR-trained.

Green Flag: Transparent pricing (₹2,500-3,500/session). If higher, they can explain why (MD background, specific trauma specialization, etc.).

Red Flag #6: They Don't Screen for Safety or Crisis Risk

This is crucial.

EMDR therapy involves processing traumatic material, which can temporarily increase emotional distress. A responsible therapist needs to assess whether you have adequate support and stability to handle the therapy process.

A responsible EMDR therapist will ask:

• "Are you currently experiencing suicidal thoughts or severe crisis?"
• "Do you have adequate support at home?"
• "Are you seeing any other mental health professionals?"
• "Do you have a safety plan for difficult moments?"

If they don't screen for these safety factors, they're either:

• Not trained properly in safety protocols
• Not thinking about your full mental health picture
• Rushing to start without proper assessment

Green Flag: They conduct thorough safety screening and may recommend coordinating care with other providers if you have complex needs.

Red Flag #7: They Can't Explain Why They're Qualified

Ask: "What's your training background? Medical degree? EMDR certification? How many clients have you treated?"

They should be able to answer clearly:

"I'm an MD Psychiatrist with 8 years experience. I completed EMDRIA-approved EMDR training under supervision. I've treated 200+ trauma clients."

Or: "I'm an RCI-registered psychologist with 5 years experience. I'm currently completing EMDRIA certification under supervision. I've treated 50+ clients."

If they get vague or defensive—red flag.

Green Flag: They clearly state credentials: Medical/psychology background, EMDR training specifics, number of clients treated, years of experience.

GREEN FLAGS: What to Look For

Green Flag #1: They Have Medical Training (MD/Psychiatrist)

Medical background doesn't guarantee they're good at EMDR. But it means:

• They understand nervous system physiology deeply
• They can recognize when medication adjustment is needed
• They can spot when something medical is masquerading as psychological
• They're regulated by a medical board

An MD doing EMDR is rare. If you find one, it's valuable.

Green Flag #2: They're EMDRIA-Certified AND Currently Supervising Others

This means:

• They maintained their standards over years
• They're credible enough to teach and supervise other therapists
• They take the practice seriously enough to invest in training others

This is a sign of real expertise and commitment.

Green Flag #3: They Specifically Ask About Your Safety

In the screening call, they should ask:

• Will you be stable between sessions?
• Do you have support at home?
• Any thoughts of hurting yourself?
• Current psychiatric care?
• Any crisis plan?

This is professional care.

They're not being nosy. They're making sure you're safe to undergo trauma processing.

Green Flag #4: They Conduct a Thorough Screening

Not just "tell me your trauma."

They ask about:

• Timeline of the trauma
• Current symptoms and triggers
• Your living situation and support
• Current medication and psychiatric history
• Previous therapy experience
• Any dissociation or complex symptoms

This shows they're taking preparation seriously. They're assessing whether EMDR is the right fit, whether you need prep work, what modifications might be needed.

Green Flag #5: They Explain the Entire Process Upfront

They should tell you:

• How many sessions typically needed for your issue
• What to expect during processing sessions
• How they'll handle intense emotions
• What happens between sessions
• How you'll know if it's working

No surprises. You know what you're getting into.

Green Flag #6: They're Transparent About Limitations

They say things like:

• "EMDR isn't for everyone"
• "If you have X, we might need to prep differently"
• "I'll know by session 4-5 if this is working for you"
• "This works for about 85% of trauma clients"

Honesty builds trust. They're not promising miracles. They're being real about what EMDR can and can't do.

Green Flag #7: They Offer Online Access + Flexible Timing

Offering online sessions shows they're thinking about accessibility.

Flexible scheduling (evening/weekend sessions) shows they understand that people work.

A ₹400 screening call shows they're not gatekeeping—making therapy accessible even for assessment.

Questions to Ask Before You Book

Write these down. Ask them in the screening call:

1. "Are you EMDRIA-certified? Or currently completing EMDRIA-approved training?"
2. "What's your medical or psychology background?"
3. "How many sessions do you typically need for [your specific issue]?"
4. "What happens if EMDR isn't working by session 4-5?"
5. "Do I need to be under concurrent psychiatric care?"
6. "What's your full screening process? How do you assess readiness?"
7. "Can you explain bilateral stimulation and why it works?"
8. "What are your red flags that someone isn't a good fit for EMDR?"

Their answers will tell you everything.

Why This Matters: Bad EMDR Can Re-Traumatize

EMDR, done poorly, can be worse than no therapy.

If a therapist:

• Doesn't do proper prep and you're not ready to process
• Pushes too fast or too aggressively
• Doesn't know how to handle a dysregulated nervous system
• Doesn't understand trauma complexity
• Isn't properly trained in the protocol

You can end up retraumatized or destabilized.

This is why credentials and experience matter.

Investing in the right therapist—not the cheapest, but the right one—matters more than anything else.

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