Applying EMDR to Substance Use Disorder Treatment
2 CE Credits
Beginner Level
Target Audience: Psychologists & EMDR Treatment Providers
$20 for Course
About the Course
This pre-recorded, on-demand webinar is designed for psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals treating clients with substance use disorders (SUD). While many treatment programs offer structured SUD care, relapse remains a common challenge. This seminar presents a structured approach to integrating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) into evidence-based substance use treatment plans.
Attendees will explore essential components of a comprehensive SUD plan, review current research on EMDR’s utility in addiction treatment, and examine how to assess whether EMDR is appropriate based on client presentation and stage of recovery. Through clinical vignettes, decision trees, and case illustrations, participants will learn how to evaluate readiness for EMDR, weigh risks and benefits, and identify appropriate addiction-focused EMDR protocols, including DeTUR, CravEx, and the Feeling-State Addiction Protocol (FSAP).
Note: Several protocols referenced in this presentation require separate, specialized training and are introduced here for educational awareness only.
Course must be completed in its entirety; partial credit is not awarded.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, attendees will be able to:
Describe how Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be applied as an adjunctive intervention within a comprehensive Substance Use Disorder treatment plan.
Summarize current research findings on the effectiveness, limitations, and emerging role of EMDR in treating substance use disorders.
Evaluate potential risks and benefits of incorporating EMDR into treatment based on client readiness, relapse risk, and treatment stage.
Identify and differentiate at least three EMDR protocols tailored for addiction treatment (e.g., DeTUR, CravEx, FSAP), and explain their theoretical rationale and appropriate application based on clinical vignettes.
About the Instructor
Cassandra Cannon, Ph.D. is the owner and operator of Cannon Psychology since 2018. She primarily treats adult survivors of abuse and addiction. She is certified by EMDRIA as a practitioner and an approved consultant. She has worked in a variety of levels of care, including inpatient, residential and outpatient. For 9 years, she was the Clinical Director of a Residential Substance Abuse Program where she utilized EMDR as an intervention. She has been licensed to practice psychology by the State of California since 2011.
Prior to receiving credit for this course, you must:
Review the material in full.
Pass post test with minimum 75% grade with three attempts allowed.
Accuracy, Utility & Limitations of Materials Presented:
The content presented in this on-demand webinar is grounded in current research and clinical best practices related to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and its application to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The material is designed to enhance the clinical utility of EMDR by offering practical integration strategies into established SUD treatment plans, supported by real-world clinical vignettes. While the protocols discussed are drawn from evidence-informed and widely accepted EMDR models, it is important to note that some require specialized training beyond the scope of this seminar. The didactic material is accurate to the best of the instructor’s knowledge at the time of recording and reflects a synthesis of clinical experience, published literature, and professional guidelines. However, individual clinical judgment remains essential, particularly when evaluating client readiness for EMDR, managing risk of relapse, or implementing advanced protocols. This webinar is intended as an introductory and integrative training and does not substitute for full protocol-specific instruction, EMDR basic training, or supervised consultation required for certain interventions.
The instructor, Cassandra Cannon, Ph.D., is the founder of Cannon Psychology. While this conflict of interest exists, all efforts have been made to ensure unbiased, evidence-based information.
Cannon Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cannon Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content