If you’ve ever heard the term Somatic EMDR and thought, “What the HECK is that?” — you’re not alone.

It kind of sounds like something a sci-fi character might do to power up before battle am I right?!!? BUT, in reality, it’s a deeply healing and grounded therapy approach that helps people process trauma, stress, and emotional overwhelm in a way that feels gentle, compassionate, and—yes—even empowering.

And guess what? I’m now offering it as part of my practice!

Okay, so what is EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Sounds like an instense mouthful, I know, but stay with me.

At its core, EMDR is a therapy that helps people process painful memories that feel stuck—memories that your brain hasn’t fully been able to make sense of, often because they were traumatic or overwhelming.

These memories can live in your mind AND body like unfinished business, popping up in the form of anxiety, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, or those “why-am-I-reacting-like-this?” moments.

The traditional EMDR process uses something called bilateral stimulation (usually eye movements, tapping, or sound) to help your brain reprocess these memories in a more adaptive way—kind of like hitting the “refresh” button on your emotional hard drive.

So… where does the “Somatic” part come in?

Great question! The word somatic means “of the body.” Somatic therapy recognizes that trauma isn’t just something that lives in your head—it’s stored in your nervous system, in your body’s muscle memory, in the way your shoulders tense up when you’re stressed, or how your stomach drops when you’re anxious.

Somatic EMDR brings the BODY into the healing process as well. It invites us to gently pay attention to physical sensations, breath, posture, and movement while reprocessing those stuck memories.

It adds a powerful layer of awareness and grounding that helps you feel safe and connected while doing deep emotional work.

Why does that matter?

Here’s the thing: trauma isn’t always about WHAT happened. It’s about what happened inside you as a result of what happened. And sometimes, talking about it isn’t enough.

Our bodies hold onto stress responses like fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. If we don’t address those physical imprints, it’s like trying to rewrite a story without opening the right book.

Somatic EMDR allows us to:

• Regulate the nervous system during therapy
• Connect to sensations that help us process emotions more fully
• Develop a sense of agency and safety in our bodies
• Move through trauma in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming

What does a Somatic EMDR session look like?

Let me walk you through a very simplified version of what might happen:

1. We start by grounding. We check in with how you’re feeling in your body—what sensations are present, where you feel tension or ease, and how we can create safety together.
2. We identify a memory or issue. Nothing you’re not ready for, I promise. We go at your pace. Your emotional safety and choice is KEY.
3. We use bilateral stimulation. This might look like tapping on your knees, following a light with your eyes, or listening to sounds that alternate between your ears. It’s gentle, rhythmic, and designed to help your brain and body process the memory.
4. We track what shows up. You might feel emotions, sensations, or insights rise to the surface. We stay curious, kind, and non-judgmental.
5. We bring the body into the process. Maybe we notice a shift in breath, a release of tension, or a sense of grounding. These are signs that your system is moving toward healing.
6. We close with regulation and integration. We don’t leave you raw or exposed. We make sure you feel settled and safe before ending.

Is it right for me?

Somatic EMDR can be incredibly helpful if you:

• Struggle with anxiety, PTSD, or complex trauma
• Feel like you’ve “talked about it” but still feel stuck
• Have a hard time connecting to or trusting your body
• Want to feel more present, empowered, and emotionally free

Final Thoughts (with love)

Healing doesn’t have to be forceful or fast. It can be spacious, intentional, and rooted in deep compassion—for all the parts of you that are still figuring things out. Somatic EMDR is one of the most powerful tools I’ve seen for helping women move through pain with grace and come out the other side feeling more like themselves.

If your nervous system has been sounding the alarm for years, and you’re ready to feel more grounded, connected, and clear—this could be a beautiful next step.

And hey, if you’re curious or want to learn more, reach out! I’d love to chat about whether this might be the right fit for you. Simply drop a comment below and I will be in touch!