EMDR and Addiction

Description

Why do some clients relapse again and again—despite insight, motivation, and support? What if the real root of addiction isn’t willpower, behavior, or even the substance itself—but a memory network wired for survival? In many clients, addiction is not the primary problem—it’s an attempt to feel safe, connected, or alive in a world that has consistently felt unsafe, isolating, or overwhelming. And unless we target the emotional circuitry that keeps that need alive, treatment stays stuck.

This course gives you a way to finally reach the part of the brain where trauma and addiction meet—and rewire it. Grounded in EMDR and neuroscience, it offers a practical and powerful approach to help clients reclaim choice, connection, and a sense of self that no longer depends on the next high.

Megan Salar, MSW, ACADC, CCTP-II, EMDR-C, is a nationally recognized EMDR clinician, trainer, and author. Having trained thousands of clinicians in trauma and addiction treatment across the U.S. and abroad, Megan brings a masterful integration of EMDR and real-world clinical insight. Her experience running award-winning treatment centers and her authorship of widely used EMDR workbooks position her as a trusted voice in this complex field.

In this self-paced course, Megan takes a clear, step-by-step approach to teaching effective trauma-informed strategies for addiction treatment. She blends psychoeducation, clinical wisdom, and hands-on EMDR techniques so that clinicians walk away not only informed—but equipped.

Topics include the neurobiology of addiction, the addiction memory network, insecure attachment and substance use, the Positive Feeling State Protocol, and an in-depth understanding of the DeTUR model. You’ll also explore how to identify core traumas linked to addictive urges, use bilateral stimulation effectively, and develop personalized treatment goals rooted in client strengths.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand and apply EMDR protocols: Learn how to use the DeTUR and Positive Feeling State protocols to target urges and cravings.

• Trauma-informed treatment planning: Identify and process core traumas behind addiction using EMDR strategies.

• Effective clinical interventions: Gain practical tools and resourcing strategies to use in sessions when clients experience triggers or cravings.

Why this course?

• Expert-led and trauma-informed: Megan Salar’s decades of clinical and training experience ensure this course bridges both theory and practice.

• Built for behavioral health clinicians: Specifically tailored to the day-to-day challenges clinicians face when working with clients with addictive behaviors.

• CE from a trusted provider: Telehealth Certification Institute is known for equipping healthcare professionals with relevant, ethical, and high-quality continuing education.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the basics of the DeTUR protocol/model.

• Describe how to uncover core-rooted traumas linked to addictive tendencies.

• Use resourcing skills and brief interventions to assist clients when triggered with urges.

• Analyze how to utilize and establish the Positive Feeling State (PFS)

• Plan effective ways to identify the positive goal and anchoring techniques to enhance goals.

• Demonstrate how to move from addiction-based interventions to EMDR trauma-based interventions.

If you want to move beyond symptom management and help your clients break free from the trauma-addiction cycle, this course offers the knowledge, tools, and inspiration you need. Join us in redefining what recovery can look like—rooted in safety, choice, and lasting change.

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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