EMDR A Somatic Healing Approach
Understanding EMDR Beyond the Mind
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is most often described as a trauma treatment, but at its core, it is a somatic healing approach—one that works through the body to help the mind heal. Unlike traditional talk therapy that focuses mainly on thoughts, EMDR taps into the nervous system, engaging the brain and body together to process traumatic experiences.
When trauma occurs, the body often stores the memory as physical tension, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness. EMDR allows clients to safely revisit those memories while stimulating both hemispheres of the brain, helping the nervous system release what has been held inside.
The Body Keeps the Score
Trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk famously said, “The body keeps the score.” This means that even when we intellectually know a traumatic event is over, the body might still respond as if it’s happening now. EMDR accesses this somatic memory through eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones. As clients reprocess the experience, the body begins to relax and integrate safety back into the system.
How EMDR Connects to the Nervous System
Bilateral Stimulation and Regulation
During EMDR sessions, the therapist uses bilateral stimulation—alternating left and right signals through eye movements, tapping, or sounds. This rhythmic movement activates both sides of the brain, allowing the body to discharge the stored survival response. Over time, the body learns to differentiate between past and present, leading to greater emotional regulation and peace.
Somatic Awareness in Sessions
Therapists trained in trauma-informed care often guide clients to notice sensations such as tightness, heat, or heaviness. These physical cues are part of the reprocessing journey. As clients stay present with bodily sensations, old memories lose their charge, and new sensations of calm begin to emerge.
EMDR and Mind-Body Healing
Because EMDR works through the body, it integrates seamlessly with yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork—approaches that Niyama Center often incorporates into therapy. These practices enhance nervous system regulation, support grounding between sessions, and deepen overall healing.
Integrating Somatic Awareness Beyond Sessions
After EMDR, clients often describe feeling more attuned to their bodies. They might notice when they’re tense or triggered and use grounding exercises to regulate. This body awareness becomes an anchor for emotional resilience.
Begin Your Somatic Healing Journey
If you’re curious about how EMDR therapy can help you reconnect with your body and release stored trauma, learn more about EMDR Therapy at Niyama Center.