If you are healing from complex PTSD or childhood trauma, you may have heard of EMDR, a therapy that uses eye movements to help process traumatic memories. But somatic EMDR goes a step further, combining traditional EMDR techniques with body awareness to help release trauma that is stored not just in the mind but in the body itself.
In this video I offer a gentle introduction to somatic EMDR, how it works, why it can be especially helpful for people healing from complex trauma, and a simple bilateral tapping exercise you can try at home to help calm your nervous system.
Please note that the audio and video may be slightly out of sync in places. The content is complete and I hope you find it helpful regardless.
What is Somatic EMDR?
Traditional EMDR, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, was developed by Francine Shapiro and uses bilateral stimulation, typically eye movements, to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. Somatic EMDR builds on this by adding body awareness to the process, recognizing that trauma is not only held in our memories but in our physical sensations, muscle tension, and nervous system responses.
During a somatic EMDR session a therapist may guide you to notice physical sensations like tightness, heaviness, or heat that arise while focusing on a difficult memory. This helps release trauma from both the body and the mind, allowing for a deeper and more complete healing experience.
Why is Somatic EMDR Helpful for Complex PTSD?
Complex trauma often begins in childhood and involves layers of difficult experiences stored not just in memory but in the body. Somatic EMDR is particularly powerful for complex PTSD because it works directly with the body’s response to trauma rather than relying solely on verbal processing. For many survivors, especially those who have struggled to access healing through talk therapy alone, this body-based approach can open a new door to safety and regulation.
A Simple Bilateral Tapping Exercise to Try at Home
You do not need a therapist to experience a small taste of bilateral stimulation. Here is a gentle exercise you can try:
Cross your arms over your chest and place your hands on your shoulders. Begin tapping your shoulders in a gentle alternating pattern, left, right, left, right. While you tap, focus on your breathing and if you like, bring to mind a calming image or a place where you feel safe. Continue for as long as feels comfortable.
This simple practice can help calm your nervous system and create a gentle sense of connection between your body and the present moment.
Somatic EMDR is one of many tools available for healing from complex trauma. It does not replace therapy or professional support, but it offers a meaningful and body-informed pathway toward greater safety and regulation. If you found this helpful, I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
You are not alone in this.
Resources mentioned in this video:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing by Francine Shapiro
- Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
- The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
- Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy by Pat Ogden