EMDR training designed to meet the needs of New Zealand’s mental health practitioners
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is now recognised worldwide as an evidence-based psychological therapy for the treatment of an increasing number of mental health disorders.
Otago is proud to offer Aotearoa New Zealand's first University-based postgraduate training in EMDR.
Why study EMDR Therapy?
EMDR therapy is recommended by the World Health Organisation for the treatment of PTSD, alongside Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). There is now also a strong evidence base for EMDR therapy's effectiveness in treating mood and anxiety disorders, and a growing evidence base for its use with other conditions.
Graduates of this course can assure their employers and themselves that they have demonstrated competence in providing evidence-based EMDR therapy.
EMDR Therapy at Otago
Taught from our Wellington campus, Otago's EMDR training has been adjusted to meet the needs of New Zealand's mental health practitioners. We have tailored the theoretical and clinical content to New Zealand's unique culture and history.
We endeavour to align with the principles of the treaty of Waitangi and to provide space for the emergence of indigenous perspectives and wisdom in the development of EMDR Therapy practice.
The teaching is delivered by experienced mental health clinicians who are still actively involved in providing EMDR therapy in a range of settings and populations. MaryAnn Stevens, our EMDR training course director, is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading EMDR educators. MaryAnn is a clinical psychologist with over 30 years’ experience. She is an approved EMDR Institute and EMDRNZ accredited Trainer.
From foundational to advanced training
Otago offers two postgraduate level papers in EMDR Therapy. Completing the foundational paper qualifies you for membership of EMDRNZ. You may then choose to continue to the advanced paper to complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences endorsed in EMDR Therapy, which contributes toward accreditation status with EMDRNZ.
- PSME 455 Foundational Clinical Practice in EMDR Therapy
- PSME 456 Advanced Clinical Practice in EMDR Therapy
Each paper is studied part-time over one academic year. You can only enrol in one paper each year, and must complete that paper in the same year.
These intensive training courses offer a comprehensive and supportive teaching structure, combining clinical practice, online supervision, online lectures and in-person teaching blocks.
Select the PGCertHealSc under “Choose a study option” below to find detailed information about the course structure and assessment, fees and entry requirements.
Transforming trauma with EMDR
Discover how EMDR therapy is helping clinicians achieve faster, deeper results with clients. Learn about Otago’s flexible, research-backed training designed for experienced professionals working with complex trauma.
Read transcript
I’m Maryann Stevens. I’m a clinical psychologist. I work in private practice in Wellington, but I’m also part of the Otago University EMDR therapy training.
Francine Shapiro discovered there was this surprising link between moving your eyes side to side and the reduction of distress about past events and other trauma-based disorders. And many guidelines across the world now approve EMDR therapy as an evidence-based treatment of choice for post-traumatic stress disorder for adults and children.
We’ve designed this course to reflect Aotearoa New Zealand and what we need in this country. We’ve made it easy by packaging up all the different courses and things that people are doing that are necessary for becoming an expert EMDR practitioner.
The postgraduate certificate is designed for experienced clinicians. It’s designed for people who work with complex cases. You will go away from this course knowing that you’re competent.
EMDR can help you to get into a very deep place of your client’s problem.
Now I can see more people for less time, and I can really, enhance the outcomes using the learning from this course
Really understand where their traumas come from and the impact of that trauma.
This is what the research is now showing — one of the two key treatments of choice.
And ask them, would you like to try this and then see if you need medication? And that’s what most people want. So when they do that, it’s really amazing.
The course recognises that you are already working, you already have your commitments, and you’re adding this on top. And I think there’s lots of flexibility to be able to complete the course with everything else that you might need to do as well.
This is a tool that works far better than most other things that I’ve known.
Practitioners who’ve done this training before have said that even though they have a lot of expertise, even though they’ve trained in a lot of different modalities, this adds new value. This adds something different.
We are really pleased to be offering the only university-based EMDR course in Australasia. This course is really popular, so please email us as early as possible if you are interested in either the advanced or the basic training. We look forward to having you study with us.
The best part is to discharge people — they are happy, they’re well — discharge them well.
I would absolutely recommend it.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
How to apply
To enrol in the EMDR Therapy papers, you need to apply for admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences.
Before you apply, check the entry requirements information to make sure that you are eligible to enrol in the programme.
Entry requirements – PGCertHealSc endorsed in EMDR Therapy
Be ready to submit scanned copies of:
- A current CV
- Practicing certificate
- Academic transcripts relating to qualifications noted in your application
Use the “Start application” link on this page to apply for the PGCertHealSc, and select Wellington as the study location.
Please email us to confirm you have submitted your application, and include the code of the paper you intend to enrol in, and your student ID number.
Email emdr.uow@otago.ac.nz
It is important to respond to any emails you receive from the Admissions team. They will check your eligibility to ensure your application meets postgraduate study level.
What our students say
Comments from former Otago EMDR Therapy students:
“I was able to see the impact on my client work in the first few months.”
“A thorough update in Trauma theory, and I feel confident in my ability to provide effective EMDR therapy.”
“This was a steep learning curve, but I felt well supported by an excellent, supportive teaching team.”
“It was enriching to experience this training alongside students from many different professional and cultural backgrounds.”
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
Contacts
Email emdr.uow@otago.ac.nz
EMDR Course Director
MaryAnn Stevens
Department of Psychological Medicine
University of Otago, Wellington
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