To understand Somatic EMDR and the history of traditional EMDR, We must first break down the following two important concepts looking at what happens to the body when traumatic event occurs.
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Understanding Trauma in the Body: Trauma can get stuck in our bodies, causing sensations that remind us of the bad experience. When something traumatic happens, it's like our body gets stuck in a loop, holding onto the unprocessed feelings, emotions and sensations from that past experience. The problem is we do not realize these sensations, emotions and feelings are from the past, we experience them in the present and connect them to a present day situation/event. Somatic and EMDR therapies aims to facilitate the processing and integration of these traumatic memories.
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The AIP Model: the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which explains how trauma affects our brain's ability to process memories.
the AIP model depicts that the brain has a natural capacity to process and integrate traumatic experiences (the body knows how to organically heal itself when given sufficient support) similar to how it processes non-traumatic experiences. However, when a person experiences overwhelming events or trauma, the brain's natural processing mechanisms can become overwhelmed, leading to the dysfunctional converting of the traumatic memory.
According to the AIP model, the traumatic memories are stored in an unprocessed form, along with the associated thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. These memories can be triggered by various cues in the present, leading to distressing symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, avoidance behaviors and many others.
What is EMDR and its Traditional Use?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy approach that has been widely used since the 1980's and was created by Francine Shapiro. She developed this therapy while walking in a park and noticing that her own distressing thoughts seemed to lessen as her eyes moved rapidly back and forth. This observation led to the development of EMDR as a therapeutic approach for treating trauma and related symptoms. By focusing on specific memories while engaging in bilateral eye movements, EMDR aims to reprocess these memories and alleviate associated distress.
How has Somatic Therapy Customized EMDR?
Somatic therapy has taken the principles of EMDR and integrated them with somatic experiencing techniques. By incorporating the body's sensations and movements into the therapeutic process, somatic EMDR aims to address the physical manifestations of trauma stored in the body.The Goal of EMDR is to pull out the emotional triggers from past traumatic events that our causing dysfunction in our life today and allow these past memories to be stored properly as just that, a memory of the past no longer affecting the here and now.
My Experience with Somatic EMDR Therapy
Throughout my training, I've had the privilege of experiencing numerous sessions with somatic EMDR, and it's been a profoundly transformative journey. One of the most striking aspects for me was the realization of how quickly present-day stressors were linked back to a childhood memory. It was like uncovering hidden threads that connected seemingly unrelated experiences.
During each set of bilateral stimulation, something fascinating unfolded. The emotional fog, that I did not even realize was present, surrounding certain memories, seemed to dissipate so quickly. I had this powerful clarity and objectivity. It was as if I could suddenly see the situation from a bird's-eye view, understanding it with a certainty that had previously eluded me.
Discover the Transformative Power of Somatic EMDR Therapy
Somatic EMDR therapy offers a cutting-edge approach to trauma healing by combining the benefits of somatic experiencing therapies with the proven techniques of EMDR. Through visual movements and bilateral sound and/or movement stimulation, this innovative modality helps individuals release blocks from past traumas that may be inhibiting their ability to heal.
By facilitating the proper storage of traumatic memories in the past without the emotional triggers of the present, Somatic EMDR enables profound healing and transformation. This approach allows individuals to process their trauma in a safe and supportive environment, leading to lasting healing and recovery.
Somatic EMDR can yield many positive results, including bringing neutrality to past situations, reducing disturbing emotions and sensations associated with memories, decreasing negative beliefs and coping mechanisms, enhancing the ability to maintain healthy relationships, reducing somatic symptoms, boosting self-esteem, facilitating learning from negative experiences, improving future actions, desensitizing present triggers, enhancing processing and objectivity, as well as increasing memory, awareness, and spontaneity in processing.
Experience the power of Somatic EMDR therapy and embark on a journey towards healing and transformation. Embrace this cutting-edge approach to trauma therapy and discover the profound impact it can have on your well-being.
Somatic EMDR can be performed virtual as well as in person. Schedule your consultation today and be put first on the waitlist for this latest innovative treatment in holistic trauma therapy.