Combining Somatic work with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) offers a holistic approach to therapy that addresses both the mind and body. This integrated method enhances the therapeutic process by connecting physical sensations with emotional healing.
At Touchstone Trauma Therapy, we utilize this approach to help clients achieve comprehensive recovery from trauma and stress-related disorders.
Understanding Somatic Work
Somatic therapies focus on the relationship between the body and the mind, emphasizing physical sensations as key components in experiencing emotions. These practices help clients become more aware of their bodily sensations and learn to interpret these signals as a form of emotional communication.
The Role of Somatic Work in EMDR Therapy
- Enhanced Awareness: Somatic work helps clients increase body awareness, which is crucial in EMDR therapy. This heightened awareness allows clients to more effectively identify, and process physical cues associated with traumatic memories during EMDR sessions.
- Grounding Techniques: Incorporating Somatic practices provides clients with grounding techniques that can stabilize emotions during the intense reprocessing phases of EMDR. Techniques such as mindful breathing and focusing on physical sensations help manage emotional spikes.
- Integration of Trauma: Somatic work aids in the integration of traumatic experiences by allowing the body to participate in expressing and processing emotions that might be too difficult to articulate verbally.
Benefits of Combining Somatic Work with EMDR
- Comprehensive Healing: This approach not only addresses the psychological aspects of trauma but also the somatic symptoms that are often overlooked in traditional therapies.
- Improved Self-regulation: Clients develop better skills to regulate their emotions and physical responses to stress, enhancing overall resilience.
- Long-lasting Impact: By learning to tune into their bodies, clients gain tools that support ongoing healing and well-being outside of therapy sessions.
Somatic Exercises to Practice Outside Therapy
- Mindful Breathing: Focus on slow, deep breaths to help center the mind and body, reducing immediate stress and anxiety.
- Body Scanning: Regularly practicing body scanning can help clients detect and respond to stress signals early, preventing emotional escalation.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This technique reduces physical tension and is especially useful for clients dealing with anxiety or post-traumatic stress.
Integrating Somatic work with EMDR therapy enriches the healing process, providing clients with a robust toolkit for managing both emotional and physical symptoms of trauma. At Touchstone Trauma Therapy, we are committed to offering therapies that address the whole person, ensuring that healing is both deep and enduring.
How to Get Started
Interested in learning more about how Somatic work combined with EMDR can help you or someone you know? Contact us at Touchstone Trauma Therapy to explore how this integrated approach can lead to profound healing and recovery.
