HOW GROUP EMDR SUPPORTS THERAPIST WELLBEING AND CLINICAL CONFIDENCE

BLOG: TRAUMA AWARENESS - UNDERSTANDING THE INVISIBLE WOUNDS

When most people think about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), it’s usually within the context of individual therapy – one client, one therapist, in a quiet room. But EMDR can also be delivered effectively in a group setting, offering a different yet equally meaningful way to engage in personal work.

At Mindful Living, we’ve developed a Group EMDR Program specifically designed for EMDR-trained therapists. While the idea of group EMDR may be unfamiliar, the format is thoughtfully structured to support privacy, emotional safety, and deep reflection – all within a shared therapeutic space.

Why Focus on Therapists?

We started by offering this group to EMDR therapists for a few important reasons. First, therapists also need space to reflect, process stress, and reconnect with their own wellbeing – especially when working with complex client presentations or navigating the emotional demands of the profession. Whether someone is feeling stuck with EMDR, curious about the group format, or looking to work through a personal or professional concern, this program offers a safe and time-limited space to do so.

We also know that group EMDR therapy is not widely known, even within the EMDR community. By beginning with clinicians, we hope to build confidence in the format and support its thoughtful integration into practice. Therapists who participate are better positioned to:

Speak clearly with clients about what group EMDR involves
Consider appropriate referrals
Explore whether they might include group EMDR in their own work

What the Program Involves

Our Group EMDR Program is delivered online via Zoom, across three weekly 2-hour sessions. It’s co-facilitated by two experienced EMDR clinicians from the Mindful Living team. The structure draws on a blend of EMDR protocols, including the EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (IGTP), attachment-informed EMDR, and art therapy approaches.

Each session begins with resourcing – such as installing a calm place and creating an internal resource team – followed by private reprocessing. This is done using self-administered bilateral stimulation and structured drawing. Importantly, participants are never asked to share the specific memories or issues they are working on, which helps maintain privacy and reduce emotional risk in the group setting.

Common themes participants bring to the program include:

Feeling uncertain or blocked when using EMDR with clients
Processing vicarious trauma or workplace stress
Addressing unresolved personal issues that affect clinical confidence

A Safe and Supportive Format

The group EMDR format is a practical and cost-effective option for therapists seeking focused support without committing to ongoing individual therapy. It offers a contained way to reflect and reset, while gaining firsthand experience of how group-based EMDR can feel from the client’s perspective.

Therapists who’ve completed the program have reported: