Workshop Guidelines

Technical Requirements and Workshop Etiquette

1. You’ll need robust broadband and technical kit. While continuous connection cannot be guaranteed (thunderstorms, power outages, floods, pestilence, plagues of frogs…), we expect everyone taking part to ensure they will be able to join in full and on time.

2. You will need to be in a safe and private space before we open the session, and to have your computer or mobile set up with a good internet connection.

3. We use Zoom Meetings, where you’ll need to make sure in advance that you have the correct microphone and video turned on both in the browser/operating system you are using and within Zoom’s own settings.

Note that if your tech isn’t properly and securely set up and working, and that we find ourselves taking excessive time to get you and keep you in the workshop, we may need to ask you to leave and watch the recording only. Especially if you’re in the NHS, make trebly sure (including talking with your IT dept) before joining us that everything is working with your laptop and Zoom.

4. We ask you if possible to use (best) mic-enabled headphones rather listening to the call on your laptop/computer speakers. You might want to avoid Bluetooth (USB-wired ‘phones are much more reliable) unless you’re already really comfortable with the tech. Shokz are an excellent though very expensive brand, especially the ones with their own dongle. Over-the-ear USB-cabled headphones with their own microphone can be bought from Amazon or similar retailers and it’s worth spending £30 upwards for sufficient quality. Logitech is a good brand.

5. Make sure that you’re going to be comfortable in following and taking part in the work together. Your computer should be positioned at a sensible height with the camera at eye level so that we can clearly see your face. A useful rule-of-thumb is that your client/others on the call should not be able to see either the ceiling or the floor of the room you are in. Think about that from the client’s perspective – you do not want them looking up your nostrils.

6. Ensure that there’s adequate lighting in the room you are in. Don’t have your back to a window or strong light source. This can make it very hard for you to be seen clearly.

7. It’s important that you will not be disturbed for the duration of each workshop session, that there is no-one within easy earshot, and that the door to the room you are sitting in is closed.

8. You agree to join the meeting at the appointed time, or if that proves to be difficult to advise as soon as possible by text or email. The workshop will not be delayed for late arrivals, and outages will need to be caught up with by watching the recording.

9. We will be recording the workshop, and participants will be able to access this online for one month after the event. You must not let anyone else listen in to any part of the workshop (via phone or any other technical device or in person), nor download any files.

10. Noting the principles of Equity, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, the booking form has space to let us know of any particular accommodations we might need to bear in mind to enable you to participate fully in our work together.

11. By participating in any EMDR Focus event, you acknowledge and agree to all the terms and conditions contained in this document/on this page.

Live Demonstrations and Dyads/Triads

1. By registering for an EMDR Focus workshop, and recognising that participation can involve both observation and personal experience of sometimes profound trauma processing, you agree to take appropriate responsibility for your own emotional wellbeing, and ensure that you have access to any necessary therapeutic and/or supervisory support following the workshop.

2. EMDR Focus workshops can be a very powerful experience. You will of course have the opportunity to decline to bring personal issues, and you are welcome to role-play a client as you learn the grammar and structure of ai-EMDR. For your own sake and that of others on the workshop, however, we ask you to allow space for a willingness to be vulnerable, as well as to be bold.

3. Once we move into breakout rooms, smaller-group dynamic becomes very important, and it can be very disruptive if a colleague is late back to a session or drops out of the workshop without this being agreed in advance. Colleagues who find it difficult to commit to a full presence for the entirety of the workshop may be asked to leave.

4. It’s a condition of taking part that participants during the practicums remain open to (polite) interruption, coaching and feedback.

5. EMDR Focus workshops involve live demonstrations of ai-EMDR in action. If you would like to volunteer, please let us know in advance of the workshop. Note from the outset that the purpose of EMDR Focus workshops is to enable participants’ growth as EMDR therapists. While we will do our best to keep you and the work safe and contained, live sessions are there for education and learning.

6. If you are uncertain about your emotional resilience to go deep, and to both process and contain what comes up – which being an attachment-informed workshop will involve childhood – then volunteering won’t be for you. Also, before volunteering make sure you read the Waiver and Release agreement at the end of this page.

7. Please also give thought beforehand please to how much other client work you may wish to reschedule for the other parts of the day. A very few sessions on days one and two of the Unleash workshops can be useful to start practising the skills. More than that, you might find yourself less than ideally capable of taking on new information.

Workshop Waiver and Release

Please click this link for the legal small print for all EMDR Focus workshops/events. Attending will be understood as acceptance of these terms.