Somatic EMDR for Immediate Change
Are you curious about how somatic approaches can transform your well-being and help you break old patterns? My own experience with somatic EMDR has shown me the profound insights and healing that can arise when we listen to our bodies.
During my EMDR training, we were asked to work with partners and explore the process ourselves. My partner and I decided to focus on a somatic sensation—not a specific memory—choosing something mildly upsetting but manageable given our time constraints. I chose a physical sensation that surfaced in my throat when speaking to strangers or during work. Through the butterfly tapping technique (arms crossed over the chest), the sensation intensified, spreading through my chest and throat, and feeling almost like a protective, steel-like shield.
As I continued tapping, I realized this sensation was serving as protection. Memories and images arose, showing how I would shut down and brace myself in new situations, even though I genuinely enjoy meeting people. There was a real fear of using my voice that I had not recognized before. Tapping revealed connections to my early experiences and family dynamics that silenced my voice, or I was rewarded for being quiet. I now understand how long these patterns have been with me. After about 30 minutes, I noticed the sensation had softened, and I felt compassion for myself. I could finally imagine engaging with strangers and new groups with greater openness and ease. We took some time to tap into the positive new sensations and thoughts. When I tried to find it after tapping, the sensation was gone.
I took this experience into a setting the next week, where I was surrounded by hundreds of strangers and placed in a breakout group to get to know one another. The sensations showed up in the setting, but they were much less intense. I reminded myself that any fear I was feeling was connected to old experiences and spoke up. While it was difficult to approach the situation this way and I was uncomfortable for most of it, I was able to talk and be more of how I want to show up in group settings.
EMDR sessions that use somatic sensations—tapping instead of eye movements—are a powerful way to gain insight into behaviors and patterns. Most EMDR sessions last 90 minutes and often address difficult thought patterns, behaviors, or memories, but even in a typical 60-minute office session, this type of awareness can emerge weekly.
If you’re interested in exploring how somatic EMDR can create meaningful change, I invite you to schedule a ninety minute session. Somatic work allows you to uncover and shift deep-seated patterns, fostering greater ease, self-understanding, and the ability to respond more openly to life’s challenges. This gentle, effective approach can help you move forward and find new possibilities in your relationships and daily experiences.