EMDR & Somatic Experiencing Therapy

EMDR Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-researched, body-centered therapy that focuses on releasing trauma that is stored in the body and brain systems.  The therapy treatment employs cycles of bi-lateral stimulation to the left and right hemispheres of the brain. The treatment can be facilitated with bi-lateral eye movements, audio tones or hand buzzers. 

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EMDR research has shown that the treatment can reset negative thoughts and feelings around a traumatic incident whether single incident or long-term chronic trauma, such as childhood abuse. The image or memory of the event does not go away, but the emotional charge is processed through the body and brain and the pain, fear and sadness surrounding the event can dissipate. EMDR can help clients work through old painful memories, and create a more positive mindset. Often client’s experience the release of negative beliefs about themselves and find positive changes in thinking, relationships and how they treat themselves on a daily basis. 

EMDR does not require long periods of talk therapy, and can addresses significant trauma by working with the nervous system and the body. The change happens within the mind and body of the client and EMDR can help process unexpected events, crisis situations, constant anxiety, long-term depression and interpersonal trauma in a relatively short time period.

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Take a look at this video on EMDR.

Somatic Experiencing Therapy

Somatic Experiencing (SE) therapy is a body-focused therapy that incorporates reducing stress in the nervous system. SE works by soothing the body and mind and helping regain balance in the body and brain systems. The therapy works on diminishing distressing emotions, feelings and negative thoughts surrounding past traumatic experiences.

A client’s current mental and physical state is often linked to past trauma, which can manifest as anxiety, depression, PTSD, physical aches and pains, chronic physical issues and fatigue.  Over time, SE improves body awareness and emotional awareness and can help reduce mental and physical systems related to trauma. With treatment, the client is able to move forward away from the past negativity and gain relief from stressful symptoms.

The techniques focus on the body's connection to the cognitions in the brain and the emotional states related to the trauma. SE works by tapping into our natural biology including our fight, flight and freeze survival systems and works by reducing stress on our nervous system. With treatment we allow our nervous system and brain's survival systems ( located in the limbic system) to come back to a relaxed state instead of feeling stuck in hyperarousal or hypoarousal.

SE teaches relaxation and mindfulness, allowing for more living in the present, less time spent thinking about the past or ruminating about the future. SE can help clients feel more in the body and feel closer others and more engaged in life. Many clients are able to work through past traumatic events and remove negative feelings and thoughts about themselves.

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Here is a video explaining Somatic Experiencing.

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