What Is Somatic EMDR Therapy?

If you’ve heard of EMDR but feel unsure about what it actually involves, you’re not alone. Somatic EMDR-informed trauma therapy combines elements of traditional EMDR with body-based awareness and nervous system regulation. It is trauma work that includes the body from start to finish.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-processing method that uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or alternating taps, to help the brain reprocess distressing memories.

Research shows EMDR can reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories by helping the brain integrate them more adaptively. However, traditional EMDR can sometimes move quickly, which may feel overwhelming for some nervous systems.

So, what makes it somatic? The word somatic means “relating to the body.” When engaging in this kind of embodied work, we track bodily sensations throughout the session. We also build regulation skills before processing and pause if activation rises too quickly. We also integrate grounding and stabilization practices and we honor consent and pacing. This framework creates a gentler, more embodied trauma therapy experience.

Somatic EMDR-informed trauma therapy can benefit many people including LGBTQIA+ and trans individuals seeking affirming trauma care, adults living with high-functioning depression, people who feel disconnected from their bodies, individuals who have tried talk therapy without full resolution, and those experiencing chronic stress, shutdown, or hypervigilance.

If you are looking for body-based trauma therapy in Saint John, Somatic EMDR-informed sessions may offer a more regulated and supportive path. You can learn more about working together HERE.

Trauma healing does not require pushing through overwhelm rather, it requires safety, pacing, and nervous system literacy.

Book a consultation to explore whether Somatic EMDR-informed trauma therapy is right for you.