EMDR Therapy for
Body Image Disturbance and Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Training led by:
Cassie Krajewski, LCSW
EMDRIA Approved Consultant
LIVE: OCTOBER 23, 2026
9AM to 4PM MTN
Available on demand after
Cost: $195
REGISTER NOW
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Body image disturbance and Body Dysmorphic Disorder are among the most clinically challenging presentations an EMDR therapist will encounter. Clients often arrive with years of suffering, complex trauma histories, and a painful relationship with their bodies. The shame runs deep. Standard EMDR protocol can feel inadequate, stall out, or miss the deeper layers of shame and self-loathing driving their distress. Body Dysmorphic Disorder makes this even harder. The intrusive, obsessive quality of BDD doesn't always respond the way other trauma presentations do, and if you've tried to run standard EMDR with a BDD client and hit a wall, you're not alone.
If you've ever felt uncertain about where to target with a body-focused client, struggled to get traction with BDD presentations, or wondered whether EMDR can truly reach the intrusive, obsessive quality of body image suffering: this course was designed for you.
We'll look at how body image disturbance develops—the memories, the beliefs, and the nervous system patterns underneath—and how to use EMDR to actually get to them. We'll talk about what makes BDD different, what to do when processing stalls, and how to work in a way that doesn't inadvertently make things worse for clients who are already struggling with shame.
This isn't about a rigid new protocol. It's about understanding these clients well enough that you can make sensible decisions about how to adapt the work you already know. By the end of this training, you'll have a clearer sense of how to target body-focused trauma, how to conceptualize BDD within an EMDR framework, and how to move forward with clients who may have felt stuck — or untreatable — before.
This training bridges the gap between foundational EMDR training and the complex realities of body image work. Through didactic instruction, case conceptualization exercises, and clinical demonstration, participants will develop a clear roadmap for applying EMDR to BDD and body image disturbance.
CEs Available:
This course is eligible for 6 NBCC CEs.
Training Format:
This training will be offered live then avaiable on demand after.
Investment:
This course is $195. Installment options available.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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Identify the core symptoms of body image and appearance-related distress
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Describe the theoretical mechanisms by which EMDR addresses body image disturbance, including the role of maladaptive memory networks and negative self-referential beliefs.
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Formulate a case conceptualization for clients with BDD or body image disturbance using an AIP-informed framework, incorporating history-taking, assessment, and treatment planning.
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Apply the standard EMDR protocol and modified adaptations to clients presenting with body image concerns, including appropriate target selection and interweave strategies.
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Evaluate contraindications, clinical cautions, and stabilization needs when using EMDR with BDD populations, including considerations for clients with comorbid OCD-spectrum symptoms or eating disorders.
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Demonstrate culturally responsive and affirming clinical language and practices when working with clients experiencing body image distress.
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IRIS Training Collective has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8002. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. IRIS Training Collective is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
MEET YOUR TRAINER
Cassie Krajewski, LCSW
Cassie is known for her authenticity, warmth, and compassion, which shows up in her work as a business, owner, therapist, consultant, and podcaster. As the founder of Inner Atlas, Cassie is passionate about helping people heal from the impacts of trauma and disembodiment.
Cassie's personal history and healing experiences drove her to pursue a career in social work. Her training emphasized the importance of context, culture, and systems upon mental health. This lead to her dream of opening a practice centered on anti-oppressive, holistic, and trauma-responsive care. Her professional experiences inform her understanding that working with the body's inherent wisdom takes clients further, faster. She is rooted in the belief that she is not a guru but a guide.
Outside of her clinical work, Cassie is actively involved in mentoring and teaching other therapists. Her approachable nature and deep empathy ensure that her practice remains a space where clients and colleagues from all walks of life feel seen, heard, and valued.
Course Prerequisites:
This continuing education program is intended for graduate-level professional counselors and mental health practitioners. It is designed for clinicians who hold a master's degree or higher in a mental health field, as well as graduate students actively pursuing that level of training.
This is an advanced EMDR Course, students must have fully completed EMDR Basic Training to be eligible for this training.
Course Attendance and CE Credit:
For live credit: Attendees must attend live via Zoom and attendance will be taken for course credit. Partial credit is not available. Live certificates are issued upon request within 5 business days of verified attendance and completed evaluation.
For on demand credit: Attendees must view the full course video, complete the quiz and evaluation to receive credit. Upon completion of all modules your certificate will be issued and sent via email.
Cancellation & Refund Policy:
Full refunds are available for cancellation requests received up to 1 day prior to the program. Cancellations on/after the live date or no-shows are non-refundable. If IRIS cancels, full refunds are issued or free transfer to a future date is offered.
