Critical Incident and Acute EMDR Strategies

Description

When trauma strikes, the clock starts ticking. Clinicians on the front lines need more than empathy—they need tools that work fast, before emotional wounds harden into long-term psychological damage.

This course provides those tools—immediate, effective EMDR strategies designed specifically for high-stress, acute incidents where rapid stabilization and trauma disruption can change the course of recovery.

Megan Salar, MSW, ACADC, CCTP-II, EMDR-C, is an EMDR Clinician, Trainer, and Author with over a decade of experience specializing in trauma, attachment, and addiction. Having trained thousands of clinicians nationally and internationally, Megan brings a uniquely practical and compassionate approach to crisis care. Her experience in operating an award-winning treatment center and her published works on trauma and EMDR make her an authoritative and trusted voice in the field.

Megan teaches through a blend of trauma-informed theory, neuroscience, and field-tested interventions, helping clinicians move from understanding to action. Her teaching style emphasizes simplicity without sacrificing depth—ensuring that even in moments of chaos, clinicians can reach for strategies that are grounded, clear, and clinically effective.

In this 6-hour online self-study course, participants will explore the principles and application of four key EMDR protocols: Critical Incident Desensitization (CID), Acute Traumatic Incident Processing (A-TIP), the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP), and the PRECI protocol for ongoing crisis environments. The course addresses the neurobiology of trauma, memory processing disruptions, and how to intervene before PTSD patterns take hold. Additional topics include stabilization techniques, rapid bilateral stimulation methods, and adapting EMDR in disaster, medical, and first-responder settings.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand and apply rapid-response EMDR tools: Learn when and how to use CID, A-TIP, R-TEP, and PRECI protocols immediately after trauma occurs.

• Support clients during the most critical window: Master the art of early intervention to reduce distress, prevent PTSD consolidation, and promote resilience.

• Bridge theory and action: Translate trauma neuroscience into real-time clinical decision-making during crisis events.

Why this course?

• Designed for real-world crisis work: This course gives you applicable, step-by-step strategies that you can use right away with clients in distress.

• Learn from a leading EMDR educator: Megan Salar’s extensive clinical and teaching experience ensures you’re learning from someone who understands the frontlines of trauma treatment.

• Trusted by thousands of clinicians: Telehealth Certification Institute brings you high-quality CE courses taught by respected experts who are passionate about empowering behavioral health professionals.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the core principles of the Critical Incident Desensitization (CID) of EMDR and its application in acute and high-stress situations.

• Demonstrate effective stabilization techniques to support clients immediately following critical incidents with the use of EMDR strategies.

• Apply Acute Traumatic Incident Processing (ATIP) to help mitigate the impact of trauma on clients and promote resilience in crisis situations.

• Use research-based EMDR strategies to address distress in a variety of settings, including emergency settings, including natural disasters, accidents, violence, and first-responder trauma.

• Integrate trauma-informed principles along with EMDR interventions for crisis stabilization.

• Develop knowledge of how to implement rapid-response EMDR methods within diverse professional settings, including mental health, medical, and crisis response fields.

In moments when clients need you most, this course prepares you to show up with clarity, calm, and proven tools. If you're ready to elevate your crisis response skills and provide trauma care that truly makes a difference, this training is here to meet that call.

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Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 6 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Megan Salar, MSW, ACADC, CCTP-II, EMDR-C

Megan Salar is an EMDR Clinician, Trainer, and Author who earned her Master's Degree in Clinical Social Work from Northwest Nazarene University in 2011. She has been extensively trained in the use of EMDR and other trauma-based interventions and specializes in the areas of trauma, attachment, and addictive disorders. Megan has trained thousands of clinicians across the U.S. as well as internationally to get the most out of EMDR, trauma, and addiction-based skills and practices.

Megan previously owned/operated an intensive outpatient treatment center that was voted best in practice in 2019. She currently owns and operates her own Coaching, Consulting, and Training Business and is passionate about genuinely changing the landscape of mental health and trauma treatment through an authentic, hands-on perspective that is uniquely her own.

Megan is the author of the EMDR Workbook for Trauma and PTSD: Skills to Manage Triggers, Move Beyond Traumatic Memories; and Take Back Your Life released by New Harbinger Publications in May of 2023, The EMDR Flip Chart by PESI Publications and EMDR for Dummies with Wiley Publishing and The EMDR Workbook for Addiction by New Harbinger set to release in 2025.

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 6 continuing education hours of credit.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6 clinical continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 10/15/2025. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 360 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement