Therapy and Consultation
Helping people to heal and grow in their lives.
Common questions about EMDR consultation — how it works, what it costs, how to get started, certification requirements, and more.
Absolutely not — in fact, starting consultation before you've begun using EMDR with clients is a great idea. You'll learn tremendously from others' cases and questions in group consultation. When you do start seeing EMDR clients, you'll already have support in place and will feel more confident taking that first step.
Absolutely normal. EMDR Basic Training covers an enormous amount of complex material in a condensed timeframe. Many clinicians leave feeling energized but uncertain about how to actually apply what they learned with real clients.
This gap between training and confident practice is exactly why consultation exists. Consultation helps bridge the space between "I understand the concepts" and "I can skillfully use this with my clients."
In group consultation, sessions typically include:
You can present cases, ask questions, or simply listen and learn. The format is supportive and collaborative, not evaluative. And when you're ready to present your own cases or ask questions, there's always space for that too.
"His patience, deep knowledge, and ability to meet each group member where they were created an environment that felt both safe and highly effective." — Melissa Witter, LPC Read full testimonial ↓
In individual consultation, the entire session is dedicated to your cases, questions, and learning goals — whatever you need most.
Every question is welcome. If you're unclear about something, chances are others are too.
Many clinicians struggle with certain EMDR concepts long after training. Consultation helps you move from confusion to genuine understanding — the kind that lets you apply concepts confidently with real clients.
Common areas where clinicians need help include:
These are all normal parts of the learning curve.
This is common and completely understandable. EMDR is unlike most other therapies — the protocol is structured, the terminology is specific, and working within that framework can feel unfamiliar at first, even for very experienced clinicians.
Many clinicians lose access to what they already know as skilled therapists when they have to focus too much on following the EMDR protocol. They feel like beginners again, which can be uncomfortable and discouraging.
Consultation helps you integrate EMDR with what you already do well as a therapist — so you're using EMDR as the skilled clinician you are rather than abandoning your clinical judgment.
"Ross possesses the unique ability to create a truly safe environment for all of the participants in his consultation groups, regardless of the experience level of the participant." — Sherri Kardell, LMFT Read full testimonial ↓
Both formats have distinct advantages:
Group Consultation is ideal for:
Individual Consultation is ideal for:
Many clinicians use both — group for regular ongoing support and individual for complex cases or focused skill development.
Learn more: Group Consultation | Individual Consultation
Group consultation is designed so everyone benefits, whether presenting or listening. You learn tremendously from others' cases because the challenges they face are often similar to what you'll encounter. And when you're ready to present your own cases or ask questions, there's always space for that too.
Absolutely! Your consultation path can evolve as your needs change. Many clinicians start with group consultation and add individual sessions when they encounter complex cases or need focused skill development.
Yes! Both group and individual consultation hours count toward the 20 total hours required for EMDRIA Certification.
However, EMDRIA requires that at least 10 of your 20 hours must be individual consultation. So you could do:
Learn more: EMDR Certification Consultation
It varies widely depending on your pace. EMDRIA requires:
Some clinicians complete certification within a year, while others take 2–3 years depending on their caseload and how quickly they accumulate EMDR sessions.
No. EMDRIA requires at least 10 hours to be individual consultation. The remaining 10 hours can be either group or individual.
Certification is optional! Many clinicians participate in consultation simply to develop confidence and competence in using EMDR — without pursuing formal EMDRIA Certification. Consultation is valuable whether or not you're working toward certification.
All group consultation sessions are virtual via Zoom, which means you can participate from anywhere in the world.
Individual consultation is available either virtually (Zoom) or in-person at my Portland, Oregon office, depending on your preference and location.
Many clinicians now provide EMDR successfully via telehealth. Consultation can address how to adapt your practice for remote sessions, including bilateral stimulation options, technical setup, managing client safety remotely, and maintaining therapeutic presence through a screen.
Available Times (Pacific / Eastern / UK):
Mondays:
Thursdays:
Fridays:
You can join any group time that works for your schedule. Groups meet weekly, and you can attend as consistently or flexibly as your schedule allows.
Group Consultation: $55 per 55-minute session
Individual Consultation: $180 per 55-minute session
Payment is typically made via Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, check, or cash (other options available for non-US residents). I'll send you details in the consultation agreement form.
If you need to cancel, please let me know as soon as possible. The cancellation policy is outlined in the consultation agreement form.
Please provide as much notice as possible. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for individual sessions, which is described in the consultation agreement form that I will email to you.
That's completely fine! In fact, one of the benefits of group consultation is learning from others' cases and questions. You gain valuable insights even when you're not presenting.
There may be times when you have complex cases to discuss, and other times when you simply listen and learn. Both are valuable.
"He did an excellent job ensuring each individual had space to ask questions, while remaining non-judgmental and thoughtful in all of his responses." — Rebecca A., LMFT Read full testimonial ↓
Confidentiality is paramount. In group consultation, you discuss cases in a way that protects client identity — using general descriptions without identifying information. All group participants understand and are expected to maintain confidentiality.
If a case requires more privacy than a group setting allows, that's an excellent reason to use individual consultation for that particular case.
Even if you're the newest person in the group, your questions and cases are valuable. Often, "basic" questions help everyone return to fundamentals and clarify concepts that more experienced clinicians may have been unclear about but didn't think to ask.
There's no judgment about experience level — everyone is in the group to learn and grow.
You're not alone — this is very common. Many clinicians complete the training with good intentions but then life gets busy, circumstances change, or they feel too uncertain to actually start using EMDR.
Consultation can help you reconnect with your training and build the confidence to start using EMDR with clients.
As soon as possible! Starting consultation shortly after completing the EMDR Basic Training helps you apply what you learned while it's still fresh and build momentum as you begin using EMDR with clients.
If you're completing the EMDR Basic Training, you need 10 hours of consultation to finish the training requirement anyway — so there's no reason to delay.
Consultation is an investment in:
Group consultation at $55 per session is remarkably affordable for ongoing professional development.
Currently, consultation is offered on a per-session basis. This provides maximum flexibility — you pay only for the sessions you attend without being locked into a package.
Many clinicians use professional development funds from their employers to cover consultation costs. I can provide documentation of consultation hours for these purposes.
I provide consultation on integrating the Flash Technique with EMDR for clinicians who have received Flash Technique training. This is consultation on effective implementation, not Flash training itself.
If you haven't been trained in the Flash Technique but are interested in learning it, I can point you toward training opportunities. Learn more about the Flash Technique →
Yes. Working safely and effectively with dissociative processes is discussed in consultation, especially for those working with complex trauma.
We address recognizing dissociation, understanding levels of dissociation, keeping clients within their window of tolerance, and using appropriate EMDR techniques for dissociative presentations. If you are interested in using EMDR with DID clients, I can offer you a referral to a specialist in this area.
Yes. While EMDR is often associated primarily with PTSD, it's effective for a broad range of issues including:
Consultation can also help you adapt EMDR for neurodivergent populations, including clients with autism, ADHD, aphantasia, and alexithymia.
This is exactly what consultation is for. Bring your stuck cases to consultation — whether in group or individual format — and we'll work through what's happening and develop strategies to move forward.
Common stuck points include:
These are all solvable problems with the right consultation support.
Contact me by phone (503) 887-3309 or email to discuss which group time works best for you. I'll answer any questions and get you scheduled.
There's no lengthy application process — we'll have a brief conversation about your goals and experience level, and then you can join the next available session.
Contact me to discuss your goals and schedule your first session. We'll find times that work with your schedule and set up regular sessions or schedule as-needed based on your preference.
For your first session, it's helpful to bring:
However, if you're not sure what to focus on, we can use session time to help you identify where to start. The most important thing is just showing up.
Absolutely. You can attend a single group consultation session to see if it's a good fit for you. There's no minimum commitment required.
For individual consultation, we can schedule a single session and then decide together whether to continue.
"Because of Ross's guidance and encouragement, I left the training group not only feeling more competent, but truly inspired to continue pursuing additional EMDR training. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a skilled and thoughtful EMDR trainer."
— Elizabeth Siamas, LMFT
"I was lucky to have Ross as my EMDR consultant after the training. I highly recommend him as a consultant as he is patient, gives excellent examples, will make sure that he answers any of your questions, he makes the whole consultation process not as intimidating as I thought it would be. He has a very relaxed nature, and you can tell that he really loves what he does."
— Tracy Marshall, LCSW
"I really appreciated Ross as a consultant for EMDR group sessions; he was authentic, genuine, professional, and extremely knowledgeable. He did an excellent job ensuring each individual had space to ask questions, while remaining non-judgmental and thoughtful in all of his responses. Ross was also clear and communicative when rescheduling was needed and extremely supportive of ongoing EMDR training. I will absolutely return to him for individual or group consultation to keep my skills sharp and highly recommend him!"
— Rebecca A., LMFT
"Ross provided wonderful, supportive guidance that was truly invaluable to my growth and confidence as I developed my EMDR skills. His patience, deep knowledge, and ability to meet each group member where they were created an environment that felt both safe and highly effective. I especially appreciated how he supported us in navigating complex clinical cases with clarity and care."
— Melissa Witter, LPC PhD Student, Counselor Education & Supervision, Founder, Liminal Psychotherapy
"Ross possesses the unique ability to create a truly safe environment for all of the participants in his consultation groups, regardless of the experience level of the participant. Ross's ability to seamlessly weave nuanced cultural considerations into the treatment of EMDR, while bringing the art and science of EMDR to life, is nothing short of a Master Class in the intervention of EMDR."
— Sherri Kardell, LMFT
"Ross is an exceptional facilitator who leads groups with professionalism. During group sessions, Ross demonstrates a keen ability to engage with each member, ensuring that they feel comfortable presenting their cases without any sense of urgency or judgment regarding their handling. Ross's calm and composed demeanor fosters an environment where individuals feel at ease and confident in sharing their EMDR processes."
— Michelle Johnson
"I am so very grateful to have been a part of Ross Cohen's EMDR consultation group for more than a year. EMDR is the most powerful technique a therapist can have in their toolbox. There is so much to fully grasp, & this is why Ross' group, with his insight & wisdom, was & is so valuable to me. EMDR can appear intimidating at first, but Ross helps you get past this hurdle. You'll see - you will thank yourself for joining with Ross."
— J. Amber Steward-Davis, LMFT, Concord, CA
"Ross has been tremendously helpful to me in my EMDR journey. He has a wealth of knowledge about EMDR techniques. He is amazing at helping his consultees to implement EMDR techniques that are specifically tailored to each client's situation, and he always does so with such a warm and welcoming approach. I would highly recommend him to anyone!"
— Jessica Wong, LCSW
"Ross's EMDR consultation group was critical in my training as a therapist offering EMDR. Ross organized his consultation groups in a highly effective manner, and I always came away feeling extremely prepared for my next EMDR sessions. He also is very gifted in breaking things down in a way that makes sense, and is accessible for a therapist being trained in such a technical, yet artistic, modality. I highly recommend Ross's consultation to develop one's EMDR skills."
— Nola Domenici, LPC, Tucson, AZ
If your question isn't answered here, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm happy to discuss your specific situation and help you determine which consultation option is right for you.
Phone: (503) 887-3309
Email: Contact Form
Explore your consultation options:
Phone: (503) 887-3309
Email: Contact form
Office Location: 1832 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
Serving: Portland metro area, including Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Tigard, West Linn, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Tualatin, Gresham, and Vancouver, WA.
Ross Cohen, MA, LPC, LLC
EMDR Certified Therapist | EMDR Approved Consultant | EMDR Training Facilitator
Virtual EMDR consultation via Zoom — serving clinicians worldwide.
In-person therapy and consultation sessions available at my NE Portland, Oregon office.
Telehealth available for clients throughout Oregon.
