Course

Scaling Trauma Therapy: The Promise and Challenges of Low-Intensity EMDR and Task-Shifting in Global Mental Health

Format

Online Course

Duration

1.5 hours

Presenters

Professor Derek Farrell, MBE

Prices

$100

General Price

$50.00

HAP Faculty Volunteers
HAP Faculty Volunteers click here to apply your faculty discount

About

Course Description

The global burden of psychological trauma, intensified by conflict, displacement, and disaster, demands scalable, evidence-based interventions. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, traditionally a high-intensity individual and group treatment, can be effectively adapted into low-intensity formats for delivery in low-resource crisis settings, including low- and medium-income health economies. As demand outstrips supply, task-shifted models allow trained non-specialists to provide trauma care, provided clinical supervision systems, triage, and risk assessment procedures are in place. That said, a significant obstacle to such critical developments emerges from within the EMDR international community itself. Comparative models, such as low-intensity Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), demonstrate similar scalability and effectiveness, particularly in humanitarian contexts. Key considerations include cultural adaptation, supervision structures, systemic integration, and a more coherent research and development strategy that better matches the needs of critical donors. This presentation will provide a candid and critical overview of task-shifting and the potential of low-intensity EMDR in trauma-capacity building. Low-intensity EMDR certainly holds promise as a vital component of global mental health responses.

Intended Audience

Clinicians (psychologists, counselors, social workers, etc.). This course is designed for and accredited for mental health clinicians who have completed an EMDRIA approved EMDR Basic Training.

Skill Level of Audience

Intermediate and Advanced

EMDRIA credits

1.5 EMDRIA Credits (Included in course price). CE credits have been applied for but are not available yet. Please click here to see the information and instructions on how to obtain your credits/certificates of attendance.

Course Outline & Objectives

Minutes 0 - 23:10:20
Minutes 23:10:20 – 35:59:67
Minutes 35:59:67 – 1:01:38.63
Minutes 1:01:38.63 – 1:28:23:73
Explain and evaluate the rationale for adapting EMDR therapy into low-intensity formats and its potential for addressing the global burden of psychological trauma in low-resource and crisis-affected settings.
Distinguish between low-intensity EMDR with other scalable trauma-focused interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET), in terms of effectiveness, delivery models, and contextual applicability.
Explain the key implementation challenges, including supervision, triage, risk management, and intra-professional resistance within the EMDR community, that affect the scalability of low-intensity trauma interventions.
Demonstrate context-sensitive strategies for integrating low-intensity EMDR within broader health systems, with attention to cultural adaptation, community-based delivery, and alignment with donor-driven global mental health priorities.
Meet the Instructor

Professor Derek Farrell, MBE

Prof. Derek Farrell MBE is a Professor of Trauma Psychology and Veterans Affairs at the University of Northumbria (Newcastle) and Queen's University Belfast. Derek serves as President of Trauma Aid International, Trauma Response Network Ireland, and President of the EMDR All Ireland Association. He has participated in several humanitarian trauma capacity-building programmes in countries including Pakistan, Turkey, India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Lebanon, Poland, the Philippines, Palestine, and Iraq. Derek has authored over 70 peer-reviewed academic publications, as well as several book chapters. Additionally, Derek is Co-Editor of the Oxford Handbook of EMDR and the Journal of EMDR Practice & Research.
In Geneva in 2013, Derek received the ‘David Servan Schreiber Award’ for Outstanding Contribution to EMDR Therapy. In addition, Derek was also shortlisted for the prestigious Times Higher Education Supplement (TES) Awards (2017) for ‘International Impact’ due to his Humanitarian Trauma Capacity Building work in Iraq with the Free Yezidi Foundation and the Jiyan Foundation for Torture and Human Rights. In June 2018 Derek was also awarded the Trauma Aid Europe ‘Humanitarian of the Year Award in Strasbourg, France. In June 2020 Derek was awarded the Member of the (Most Excellent Order of the) British Empire (MBE) as part of Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Honours List, receiving his Award at Windsor Castle in December 2021. In September 2024, Derek was awarded the prestigious Francine Shapiro Award from EMDRIA.

Frequently asked questions

Cancelations

There are no cancelations/refunds for any distance learning courses.

Grievances

All grievances must be in writing to associate@emdrhap.org and will be replied to within 5 - 10 business days.

Trademark Restrictions Purchasing / Showing content to others

** Please note** this distance learning course was given ownership from the presenter Professor Derek Farrell, MBE, to Trauma Recovery/HAP and it cannot be used for resale and only should be viewed by the purchaser.

** HIPAA Regulations: Please note that this course may contain protected health information (PHI). Any unauthorized use or disclosure of this PHI is strictly prohibited; this includes recording and/or reproducing any part of this training video. This video presentation contains videos of clients and case discussions. The presenter has received permission to use the videos to assist in the education and training of clinical professionals who must comply with confidentiality standards.  

ADA assistance

Facilities used by Trauma Recovery/HAP for in-person training events are ADA compliant. Should you need any special accommodations (ADA) for an in-person training event, please contact Trauma Recovery/HAP staff at info@emdrhap.org at least 10 business days prior to the start of the training event. On-demand courses with videos offer closed captioning. If you encounter any inaccuracies or synchronization issues with the closed captioning, please contact associate@emdrhap.org.

How to obtain your credits/certificates

Certificates are awarded online after completion of the workshop. To receive your EMDRIA credits complete the entire course and complete the post-test, then print your certificate. 

CE Credits are not available for this course. 
• There is no known commercial support or conflicts of interest for this workshop.