An EMDR Therapy Primer: From Practicum to Practice

by Barbara J. Hensley EdD

Note to Readers: Publisher does not guarantee quality or access to any included digital components if book is purchased through a third-party seller.

Praise for the Second Edition:

This book is a must-have for any newly trained EMDR therapist. Dr. Hensley, drawing from her years of experience and many conversations with Dr. Francine Shapiro, clearly and succinctly addresses the kinds of clinical questions that typically arise for new clinicians and does so in a way that is incredibly supportive and encouraging. The EMDR Therapy Primer is the perfect companion to Shapiro's seminal textbook. -Deborah Korn, PhD.

This book presents EMDR as a comprehensive therapeutic approach and informs the clinician how to integrate EMDR into clinical practice. EMDR concepts are clearly explained and illustrated with many case examples. It is informative, well-written, and an excellent resource that expands EMDR basic training for the clinician. -- Roger Solomon, PhD -

This book has been an invaluable resource as a one-stop shop for EMDR therapists. Thank you for the gift of the 3rd edition! -- Deany Laliotis, LICSW

Barbara Hensley's book, An EMDR Therapy Primer: From Practicum to Practice, is written as a primer and companion to Francine Shapiro's EMDR texts. It is a step-by-step overview of the foundations of EMDR therapy presented in easily accessible, conversational language, and helps both new and experienced clinicians to maximize their preparation and skills in using EMDR safely, confidently, and effectively. By providing concise coverage of the AIP model and EMDR principles, protocols, and procedures, and by addressing the types of targets accessed during the EMDR process, the book expertly summarizes the eight phases of EMDR with myriad examples so core content can be easily grasped.

The third edition is fully revised to include case examples on treating specific populations and issues - transgender issues, military personnel, children, and disaster response. The author has ensured that all relevant new information on components of memory, precepts of EMDR therapy, and adaptive information processing has been fully integrated into the text, making this the most up-to-date book available on the foundations of EMDR therapy. An eBook is included with the purchase of the print edition.


New to the Third Edition: New chapter on working with special populations including the transgender population, children, military personnel, and disaster response
Expanded Shapiro metaphors and introduced new informational plateau embracing social connection and belonging

Key Features: Like having a tutor in your pocket
Blends text, clinical examples, scripts, and derailment possibilities to explore and explain the eight phases of EMDR
Describes core content in clear, easy-to-understand language
Uses case histories, dialogues, and transcripts of successful EMDR sessions with explanations of treatment rationale
Details strategies and techniques for dealing with challenging clients, high levels of abreaction, and blocked processing
Delivers abundant diagrams, tables, and illustrations to illuminate concepts
Helps clinicians to guide clients smoothly through the EMDR process

Genres: Professional Development

456 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2009

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are rained in EMDR and you need a resource to make your practice deeper and better resources, this is the book for you. The charts, scripts and other tools are extremely helpful and easy to reference.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are becoming certified in EMDR this is the best book to help you understand all the phases and protocols. It has case examples and a lot of great pointers. An easy go to manual.

[Terra Leigh Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEW! This was a very dense clinical read.

I've spent most of 2025 in the process of becoming EMDRIA-certified as an EMDR therapist. I wanted to find a book to read, as I went through the process, that would help review and deepen what I learned in my Basic Training. This book was absolutely perfect for that. I also frequently took notes on questions I had from the book, and then took those questions to my consultation sessions, which was an incredibly helpful way to really consolidate the learning.

I don't think I'd recommend this book as an intro to EMDR. I have a feeling that readers/therapists would be a bit lost. But if/once you've done your Basic Training, if you want to actually dig in and really learn the modality, this is a great resource.