Somatic Therapy and EMDR: The Differences
Trauma is complex and there are many treatment approaches to healing from it. Two approaches that are often used to address trauma are somatic therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Understanding the differences between these two approaches can help you make the right decision about your therapy journey.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach to psychological healing that emphasizes the connection between the mind and the body. It’s rooted in the understanding that trauma is often stored in the body. In therapy, clients recognize and release physical sensations and tensions that are tied to their emotional issues. By focusing on bodily sensations, somatic therapy allows people to process their trauma in a way that feels natural and intuitive. Somatic therapists might use techniques like:
Body Awareness Exercises: The therapist guides clients to notice physical sensations, like tightness or warmth.
Grounding Techniques: These help clients stay connected to the present moment, especially during times of stress.
Movement or Posture Work: Gentle stretches or changes in posture to release trapped energy.
Breathwork: This helps calm the nervous system and relax the body.
What Is EMDR?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people process and integrate traumatic memories. EMDR focuses on using bilateral stimulation (alternately engaging the left and right sides of the brain), often through eye movements, to reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic experiences. Researchers believe this process helps “store” traumatic memories correctly in the brain. Therapists also work with clients on reframing their beliefs around that trauma so that they feel more secure.
The therapy is structured into eight phases, which include:
History-taking and treatment planning to identify target memories.
Preparation, which helps clients develop coping skills during the potentially difficult therapeutic process.
Assessment, where the client identifies specific traumatic memories and their associated negative beliefs.
Desensitization, which involves bilateral stimulation while talking through the memory or feelings associated with it.
Installation, which replaces negative ideas with positive beliefs into the processed memory.
Body scan, where clients notice any lingering physical sensations.
Closure, to make sure the client feels secure after their sessions.
Reevaluation, where the client and therapist reassess their progress.
Differences Between Somatic Therapy and EMDR
Focus of Treatment
Somatic therapy primarily centers on the body. It explores how trauma manifests physically and works to release it through body-focused techniques.
EMDR targets traumatic memories and the emotions, thoughts, and beliefs associated with them. The focus is on cognitive and emotional processing rather than physical sensations.
Techniques Used
Somatic therapy focuses on mindfulness, movement, breathwork, and other body-oriented practices that lead naturally to a release of difficult emotions.
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements or tapping) combined with guided recall of traumatic events. While EMDR does include a body scan, the majority of therapy is not focused on movement or sensations.
Treatment Structure
Somatic therapy sessions are often unstructured and adaptable, allowing clients to follow the flow of their physical and emotional awareness.
EMDR sessions follow a highly structured eight-phase protocol as a more systematic approach to memory processing.
Underlying Philosophy
Somatic therapy operates on the principle that healing involves addressing the physical remnants of trauma stored in the body.
EMDR is grounded in the belief that unresolved trauma disrupts the brain’s information processing system, and reprocessing these memories can ease the symptoms of trauma.
Which Approach Is Right for You?
If you feel disconnected from your body or notice physical symptoms of stress, like tension or chronic pain, consider somatic therapy. On the other hand, if you struggle with intrusive memories, flashbacks, or negative self-beliefs tied to past trauma, EMDR might be more appropriate.
These two therapies are also not always mutually exclusive; therapists can integrate elements of both approaches depending on their client’s needs. Schedule a consultation with us today to determine whether EMDR or somatic therapy is right for you.
