Crime Survivor Services EMDR Project 2025

Application for Therapists

The Seattle Human Services Department Crime Survivor Services (CSS) unit is launching a three-year pilot to expand access to trauma therapy for survivors of sexual assault. Crime Survivor Services is partnering with mental health professionals to strengthen Seattle’s capacity to support communities through free, specialized Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy training—a well-researched and effective treatment for trauma.

About the Training

Selected applicants will receive:

• Two three-day online trainings,
• Two 2-hour group sessions, and
• 10 hours of consultation centered on EMDR therapy.

The trainings will be provided free of charge to selected applicants, and led by Dr. Christie Sprowls, PsyD.

In exchange, selected applicants agree to provide 50 pro bono therapy sessions to Crime Survivor Services-referred survivors over a three-year period.

Key Dates

Applications Opened: April 1, 2025

First Application Review: April 29, 2025

Second Application Review: May 30, 2025

Applications Closed: June 2, 2025

Training Dates:

• July 25–27, 2025
• September 26–28, 2025

Two 2-hour group sessions (TBD)

Selected applicants must attend all training and group sessions.

Therapist Eligibility Requirements

• Must be licensed (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, PsyD) by the date of the application submittal
• 3+ years of experience working with survivors of trauma (preferred: experience with sexual assault survivors)
• Familiarity with historically underserved populations and communities of color
• Commitment to:
  • Providing 50 pro bono sessions over the next 3 years
  • Beginning work with at least one referred client following training
  • Waiving waitlists and session limits for clients referred by Crime Survivor Services
  • Signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Seattle Human Services Department outlining terms and pilot requirements
• Must provide:
  • Proof of insurance
  • W9 form
  • Letter of commitment (waiving waitlists/session limits)

Training Completion Requirements for Selected Applicants:

• Full attendance is required for both training weekends and all consultation group sessions.
• Participants must complete 10 consultation hours (included in the training schedule).
• No partial credit will be given.
• During the training, participants are expected to read: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures (Third Edition) by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. (Guilford Press, 2017).
• Participants who begin the EMDR training must complete the entire training within three months unless there are extraordinary circumstances.