For mental health clinicians across the Mountain West, access to high-quality, in-person EMDR Basic Training has historically required significant travel or scheduling flexibility. That is changing. Scaling Up is offering a coordinated Mountain Cluster EMDR Basic Training in spring 2026 — with in-person training locations in Denver, Colorado; Fort Collins, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Boise, Idaho; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Clinicians can choose the location that is most convenient for them and complete the same EMDRIA-approved curriculum regardless of which city they attend.
Whether you are based on the Front Range, the Wasatch Front, the Treasure Valley, or in the high desert of New Mexico, this training is designed to bring EMDR certification-track education closer to where you already live and work. A virtual option is also available for those who prefer online learning.
What Is EMDR Therapy and Why Are Clinicians Pursuing Training?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy approach developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s. It is designed to help clients process distressing memories and reduce the lasting psychological impact of traumatic experiences.
EMDR therapy is recognized as an effective treatment for PTSD and trauma by major clinical and governmental bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its application has expanded well beyond PTSD to include anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, and other presentations that have roots in adverse life experiences.
Demand for EMDR-trained clinicians has grown considerably in recent years as awareness of trauma-informed care has increased among both clients and referring providers. For therapists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and marriage and family therapists, completing EMDR Basic Training is the foundational step toward practicing EMDR competently and ethically.
Why In-Person EMDR Basic Training Has Distinct Value
EMDR is a skills-based clinical model. While the theoretical framework can be conveyed through reading or recorded content, the practical application of EMDR — including the bilateral stimulation protocols, the therapist’s attunement to client reprocessing, and the moment-to-moment clinical decision-making — is best learned through direct, structured practice.
EMDRIA-approved Basic Training programs include a practicum component in which trainees practice EMDR skills with one another under the guidance of experienced facilitators. In-person training allows clinicians to receive real-time feedback, observe demonstrations at close range, and build the kind of procedural confidence that supports competent independent practice.
For many clinicians, the relational and experiential elements of in-person training also contribute to a deeper personal understanding of the EMDR process — which in turn supports more effective clinical work with clients.
EMDR Basic Training Denver, Fort Collins, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Albuquerque: Mountain Cluster Details
The 2026 Mountain Cluster EMDR Basic Training is structured across two parts, with consultation sessions scheduled between them. Clinicians register once and attend all sessions at their chosen location. All sites deliver the same EMDRIA-approved curriculum with the same training team.
Training Dates
Part 1: April 17–19, 2026 (in-person)
Part 2: June 4–5, 2026 (virtual)
Consultation Sessions
Between Parts 1 and 2, clinicians participate in group consultation sessions that support case application and skill integration. Consultation is held on Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MT on the following dates:
| Consultation Date | Time (MT) |
| April 30, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| May 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| May 28, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| June 18, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| July 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
Training Locations
Choose the city that works best for you. All locations offer the same EMDRIA-approved training experience:
- Fort Collins, Colorado — Northern Colorado, serving the Front Range corridor including Greeley, Loveland, and surrounding communities
- Denver, Colorado — Colorado’s capital city and the largest metro on the Front Range, with access to the broader Denver–Aurora metro area
- Lehi, Utah (Salt Lake City area) — Located in the heart of Utah County, easily accessible from across the Wasatch Front including Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden
- Meridian, Idaho (Boise area) — Serving clinicians throughout the Treasure Valley, including Nampa, Caldwell, and the greater Boise metropolitan area
- Albuquerque, New Mexico — Serving clinicians across New Mexico and the surrounding region, including Santa Fe and the Rio Grande corridor
Who Should Attend EMDR Basic Training?
EMDR Basic Training is designed for mental health professionals who are seeking to add EMDR therapy to their clinical practice. Eligible professionals typically include licensed or pre-licensed therapists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed professional counselors (LPCs), licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), and marriage and family therapists (MFTs).
Eligibility is determined by EMDRIA and is based on the clinician’s professional licensure and training background. Clinicians who are actively pursuing licensure under clinical supervision may also be eligible in some circumstances. For the most current and complete eligibility information, refer directly to EMDRIA’s EMDR Basic Training eligibility requirements.
The Mountain Cluster training is particularly relevant for clinicians who:
- Work with clients presenting with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or complex clinical histories
- Serve populations with elevated trauma exposure, including veterans, first responders, or child welfare–involved families
- Want to expand their evidence-based treatment toolkit
- Are planning to pursue EMDRIA Certified Therapist status after completing the EMDR Basic Training as a prerequisite
- Prefer in-person, cohort-based learning over self-paced online formats
Spring Virtual EMDR Basic Training: A Flexible Online Option
Clinicians who are unable to attend an in-person Mountain Cluster location — or who prefer to complete their training remotely — can enroll in the Spring Virtual EMDR Basic Training. This online EMDR Basic Training delivers the same EMDRIA-approved curriculum, the same consultation hours, and the same level of clinical instruction as the in-person format, with the flexibility of joining from anywhere.
Virtual Training Dates
Part 1: May 6–8, 2026
Part 2: June 11–12, 2026
The virtual EMDR Basic Training is conducted live via video conference and is not a self-paced or pre-recorded program. Participants engage in the same didactic instruction, live demonstrations, and structured practicum sessions as their in-person counterparts. Consultation sessions are also conducted live and virtually.
For clinicians in rural areas, those with significant travel constraints, or those who simply prefer the convenience of virtual EMDR training near me options, this format provides full access to EMDRIA-approved training without requiring time away from your practice or community.
EMDR Training in Colorado, Utah, Idaho, and New Mexico: Regional Context
The Mountain West has seen consistent growth in demand for trauma-specialized clinical services, driven in part by the presence of large military communities, rural mental health access gaps, and increasing awareness of trauma’s role in a wide range of presenting concerns. Across all four states represented in the Mountain Cluster, there is growing interest in EMDR training — and a recognized shortage of EMDRIA-trained clinicians relative to client need.
EMDR Training Colorado
Colorado’s behavioral health workforce is growing rapidly, particularly along the Front Range. Clinicians in Denver and Fort Collins will find EMDR training Colorado options close to home with the Mountain Cluster, eliminating the need to travel out of state for EMDRIA-approved instruction. Northern Colorado clinicians, in particular, now have a local training option in Fort Collins that has not historically been available.
EMDR Training Utah
Salt Lake City and the broader Wasatch Front are home to a significant concentration of mental health clinicians, many of whom are increasingly seeking trauma-specialized training. The Lehi location offers a convenient central point for clinicians across the Wasatch Front, from Ogden in the north to Provo and Spanish Fork in the south.
EMDR Training Idaho
The Treasure Valley has experienced significant population growth in recent years, with a corresponding expansion of behavioral health services in the Boise area. EMDR training Idaho options have historically been limited, making the Meridian location a meaningful addition for clinicians who have previously had to travel to Portland, Seattle, or Salt Lake City for in-person training.
EMDR Training New Mexico
New Mexico has a substantial population of clinicians serving high-need communities, including tribal nations, rural populations, and clients with histories of complex trauma. The Albuquerque location provides EMDR training New Mexico clinicians with accessible, in-state training that does not require travel to larger metro areas in neighboring states.
What Is Included in EMDR Basic Training?
Scaling Up EMDR’s Basic Training is designed to meet the requirements established by EMDRIA for foundational EMDR training. The program is built for working clinicians and includes the following components:
- Part 1 didactic and practicum instruction covering the AIP model, EMDR history and research, the eight phases of EMDR, assessment and preparation, and supervised skill practice
- Part 2 instruction and practicum focused on advanced protocol application, reprocessing sessions, targeting sequences, and case conceptualization
- Five group consultation sessions (10 hours total) to support skill integration and case application between and after training parts
- Access to training materials including clinical handouts and reference guides developed by Scaling Up
- EMDRIA-approved training certificate upon completion, documenting training hours for professional records and EMDRIA membership purposes
Completion of EMDR Basic Training is the first step toward EMDRIA Certified Therapist status. After Basic Training, clinicians pursue an additional 20 hours of individual consultation with an EMDRIA Approved Consultant to complete their certification requirements.
Register for EMDR Basic Training in Denver, Fort Collins, Salt Lake City, Boise, or Albuquerque
The 2026 Mountain Cluster represents a meaningful opportunity for clinicians across the Mountain West to access EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training without the logistical burden of long-distance travel. With five in-person locations and a concurrent virtual option, this training is designed to meet clinicians where they are — geographically and professionally.
EMDR Basic Training in Denver, Salt Lake City, Boise and Albuquerque are all available through a single coordinated registration process. Enrollment slots are limited at each location to ensure an appropriate training environment and adequate facilitation support.
To view available locations, review the full training schedule, and register for the Mountain Cluster or Spring Virtual EMDR Basic Training, visit Scaling Up’s EMDR Basic Training page. If you have questions about which format or location is right for your situation, Scaling Up’s team is available to help you make the best choice for your professional goals.
