With the variety of specialties and modalities available today, it can be difficult to know what type of therapy may work best for you. In today’s post, we’ll explore the differences between two types of therapy you may have heard mentioned in passing: Somatic Therapy and EMDR. Both modalities are grounded in a deep understanding of the connection between body and mind but significantly diverge when it comes to techniques and goals.
What is Somatic Therapy?
With roots dating back to the 19th century, somatic therapy posits a link between chronic pain and motor control issues and the fight-or-flight instinct in humans and other animals. According to the model, it’s possible for people to become frozen or ‘locked’ as a result of traumatic experiences. The energetic experience of that trauma remains in the body, expressing itself in unexpected and unwelcome ways, contributing to PTSD, anxiety, depression, muscle tension, and chronic stress. It can also affect other areas of the body, including our digestive system.
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic therapy aims to reconnect people with their bodies through sensory stimulation and experiencing. During sessions, therapists work with people to build awareness of their bodies and various physical sensations as they appear. This can identify troubling thoughts, beliefs, patterns, and memories. Somatic therapy may also incorporate guided meditations, certain forms of exercise or body movement, and breathing techniques. In some cases, somatic therapy can be a little more ‘hands-on’ for the therapist and may involve light or gentle touch. This is always done in a professional manner and only with prior consent.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is similarly grounded in the link between the brain’s function and the impact of trauma on the body. EMDR operates on the grounds that traumatic memories are stored differently from other memories and is informed by an understanding of the effect of stress hormones on the body—particularly as the result of repeated, prolonged, or particularly severe trauma.
Bilateral Stimulation
Underpinning EMDR treatment is something called bilateral stimulation. In short, bilateral stimulation is a process by which areas of the brain responsible for storing traumatic memories can be activated. Bilateral stimulation relies on rapid back-and-forth movement of the eyes, or rapidly oscillating left-right auditory cues. By activating these areas of the brain, EMDR therapy allows greater recall of traumatic events and—critically—the ability to shift those memories from unconscious or automatic recall to conscious recall.
Differences in Approach
Somatic therapy and EMDR both work to address traumatic memories, but do so in very different ways. Some individuals may prefer the more body-oriented approach offered by somatic therapy. In contrast, EMDR therapy employs a cognitive-focused methodology, utilizing conversation in combination with bilateral stimulation to explore and reprocess traumatic memories.
Somatic therapy is best suited for those who:
Enjoy play & exploration
Prefer less structure
Have struggled with talk therapy
Enjoy longer therapy sessions
Experience physical symptoms of stress & tension
EMDR therapy is best suited for those who:
Are dealing with traumatic experiences
Struggle with intrusive thoughts or ideas
Prefer a structured, guided approach
Have a goal-oriented, action-driven mindset
EMDR therapy is much more structured than somatic therapy. Accordingly, it’s best suited for those who prefer to have their therapist guide the conversation and direct areas of focus. Somatic therapy is best for those experiencing physical symptoms, possibly related to prior trauma, but may not be sure why.
Schedule an Appointment
Both somatic and EMDR therapy are results-driven forms of therapy. In addition, both are backed by a scientific understanding of the relationship between body and mind. Choosing the therapy that works best for you can be challenging. To learn more about trauma therapy, schedule a free consultation to see which modality is right for you.
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