What is Somatic EMDR?

Somatic EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic modality that helps people heal from traumatic experiences. Somatic EMDR sessions can help those who have experienced: years of unsuccessful therapy, depersonalization and/or derealization, memory lapses, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, somatic symptoms and other triggers to the nervous system.
Unlike traditional EMDR techniques, Somatic EMDR takes an embodied approach to understanding and resolving traumatic experiences. In the traditional EMDR protocol, one would move their eyes from left to right as directed by the therapist or with the help of an electronic visual-aid. Somatic EMDR allows this treatment method to open up and include bilateral (side-to-side) movement of arms, legs, torso, or even tossing a ball from one hand to the other. This method embraces all bodies and abilities, inviting anyone to participate in bilateral movement at the comfort of your own pace and preference!
Lastly, through using somatosensory awareness, there is no need to articulate (or even remember!) specific, traumatic events. Somatic EMDR can be considered a gentler approach to trauma healing. Some of the goals of Somatic EMDR sessions include: building a safe environment for healing, increasing client resiliency, decreasing the intensity of reactions to triggers, and to maintain a calm/safe nervous system.