If you are a mental health clinician and a military spouse, you may be sitting on a funding opportunity that could significantly advance your professional development. The MyCAA scholarship (My Career Advancement Account) is a Department of Defense education benefit designed specifically for eligible military spouses — and it can be used to fund professional training, including specialized clinical training such as EMDR therapy.
For therapists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and marriage and family therapists who want to expand their clinical skill set, the MyCAA scholarship offers up to $4,000 in funding toward approved coursework and training programs. This article breaks down what the program is, who qualifies, how to use it, and why investing in trauma-informed training like EMDR may be a valuable next step in your career.
What Is the MyCAA Scholarship?
The MyCAA scholarship is a workforce development program administered by the Department of Defense through Military OneSource. Its purpose is to help eligible military spouses pursue education and training that supports portable, sustainable careers — careers that can move with a military family across duty stations and transitions.
The program provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance, with a maximum of $2,000 per academic year. Funds can be applied toward tuition, fees, and other approved educational costs at accredited institutions and approved training providers.
Unlike many military education benefits, MyCAA is specifically designated for spouses, not service members. It reflects a recognition that the frequent relocations, deployments, and transitions inherent to military life create unique professional challenges for military families — particularly for spouses who hold professional licenses in fields like mental health.
Who Qualifies for the MyCAA Scholarship?
Eligibility for the MyCAA scholarship is determined by the military rank and status of the service member spouse. The program is available to spouses of active-duty service members in specific pay grades across all branches of the military.
Eligible Service Member Categories
- Active-duty officers at the pay grades of O-1 through O-5
- Active-duty enlisted service members at pay grades of E-1 through E-9
- Active-duty warrant officers at pay grades of W-1 through W-5
Additional Eligibility Requirements
- You must be the spouse (not a dependent child) of the qualifying service member
- You must have a valid Military Spouse ID or be listed in DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System)
- Your spouse must be on active duty at the time you apply for MyCAA funding
- You must be pursuing a degree, license, or certification in a portable career field
It is important to verify your specific eligibility directly through the official MyCAA program, as requirements can change and are determined on a case-by-case basis. Visit mycaa.militaryonesource.mil to check your eligibility and begin an application.
What Can MyCAA Scholarship Funds Be Used For?
MyCAA funding can be applied toward coursework and training programs that support a career in a portable field — which includes the behavioral health and mental health professions. Eligible expenses typically include tuition and program fees at approved educational institutions or training providers.
Because mental health licensure is broadly portable across state lines (especially with licensure compacts expanding), clinical professions are well-suited to the MyCAA program’s intent. Training programs that contribute to professional licensure, certification, or evidence-based clinical competency are generally strong candidates for MyCAA eligibility.
It is the clinician’s responsibility to confirm that a specific training program meets MyCAA’s approval criteria. Training providers may or may not be pre-approved, and the documentation required may vary. Contact MyCAA directly or work with the training provider to confirm funding eligibility before enrolling. You can also submit your Education and Training Plan (ETP) request form with Scaling Up by clicking here, and our team will help guide you through the approval process for one of our training programs.
Mental Health Training: Using Your MyCAA Scholarship for Clinical Skill Development
For licensed clinicians, MyCAA mental health training support represents an opportunity to invest in evidence-based clinical competencies that can serve your clients more effectively and strengthen your practice — regardless of where military life takes your family.
One area of clinical training that has seen significant growth in demand is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is a structured, evidence-based psychotherapy approach recognized by organizations such as the World Health Organization, the American Psychological Association, and the Department of Veterans Affairs for the treatment of PTSD and trauma.
Why EMDR Training Is Worth Considering
EMDR therapy requires specialized training that goes beyond graduate-level clinical education. To practice EMDR ethically and competently, clinicians must complete a structured training program approved by EMDRIA (the EMDR International Association), which includes didactic instruction, supervised practice, and consultation hours.
For military spouses who are licensed mental health professionals, EMDR training has particular relevance. The military community has elevated rates of trauma exposure, including combat-related PTSD, military sexual trauma, and the cumulative stressors of military family life. Clinicians who are trained in EMDR are well-positioned to serve this population — whether you are on or near a military installation or providing telehealth to clients across state lines.
EMDR training is also portable in a uniquely practical sense: the skills travel with you, the clinical competency remains yours, and the training investment does not expire when your family relocates.
What to Expect from EMDR Basic Training
EMDR Basic Training is the foundational requirement for clinicians seeking to become trained in EMDR therapy. An EMDRIA-approved Basic Training program typically includes a minimum of 50 hours of training (a combination of lecture, demonstration, and practicum), followed by consultation hours with an approved EMDR consultant.
Clinicians who complete EMDR Basic Training are equipped to begin applying the eight-phase EMDR protocol with clients presenting with trauma, anxiety, and a range of other clinical concerns. Completion of Basic Training is also the first step toward EMDRIA Certified Therapist status, should you wish to pursue advanced credentialing.
To learn more about what an approved program includes, visit the EMDR Basic Training offered by Scaling Up, an EMDRIA-approved training organization that delivers EMDR training under government and agency contracts across multiple states.
How to Apply for the MyCAA Scholarship
Applying for the MyCAA scholarship is a straightforward process, but it does require some advance planning. The following steps provide a general overview of how to get started with MyCAA mental health training support.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Log in or create an account at mycaa.militaryonesource.mil. Your eligibility will be verified based on your spouse’s military status and pay grade. Have your military ID and DEERS information available.
Step 2: Identify Your Training Program
Determine which training or coursework you want to pursue. For clinicians considering EMDR, research EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training programs and confirm with the provider whether they are familiar with MyCAA funding or can provide the documentation needed for reimbursement or direct billing.
Step 3: Create an Education and Training Plan
Through the MyCAA portal, you will create a Financial Assistance Application that outlines your education or training goal, the program or institution, and the associated costs. This plan must be approved before funds are disbursed.
Step 4: Enroll and Begin Training
Once your financial assistance application is approved, you can enroll in your program. Funds are typically disbursed directly to the institution or training provider, though processes may vary. Keep records of all communications and documentation throughout the process.
Step 5: Complete Your Program
MyCAA requires that you make satisfactory academic or training progress. For EMDR Basic Training, this means attending all required sessions, completing practicum requirements, and meeting any evaluation criteria set by the training organization.
Practical Considerations for Military Spouse Clinicians
Using the MyCAA scholarship for professional training is a meaningful investment, but there are a few practical factors worth keeping in mind as you plan.
- Many clinicians in military families establish telehealth-based practices that allow them to maintain client relationships across relocations. EMDR therapy is deliverable via telehealth, making it well-suited to this practice model.
- EMDR Basic Training may fulfill continuing education requirements in some states. Check with your licensing board to understand how specialized training credit applies to your renewal cycle.
- MyCAA provides a maximum of $4,000 over the life of the benefit. Plan your training investments strategically to maximize the funding available to you.
Ready to Take the Next Step? Learn More About EMDR Basic Training
The MyCAA scholarship is a valuable benefit that too few military spouse clinicians are fully utilizing. If you are eligible, it represents an opportunity to fund meaningful professional development — training that strengthens your clinical skills, expands the populations you can serve, and supports a career that is resilient in the face of military life’s demands.
EMDR therapy is one of the most well-researched, evidence-based approaches available to trauma-focused clinicians, and the demand for EMDR-trained therapists continues to grow — particularly within and adjacent to the military community.
Scaling Up is an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training organization that delivers government-contracted clinical training across multiple states. Our training programs are designed for working clinicians, with scheduling formats built to accommodate the realities of full-time practice.
To learn more about upcoming training cohorts, program structure, and how to enroll, visit the EMDR Basic Training page today. If you have questions about whether MyCAA funding can be applied to a Scaling Up training program, contact us directly — we are happy to provide documentation and answer questions to support your application.
