What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and is a specific form of therapy which has been shown as an effective way to help people recover from past traumas. Through the use of eye movement or bilateral stimulation, the brain can start to return to the natural healing process, which was previously interrupted, in order for the brain to process and provide relief.
Somatic Experiencing or SE
SE stands for Somatic Experiencing and is a body-based method of working with trauma and other stress disorders. This approach works with the body’s stress response to help repair the injury that happens after a traumatic event, and to restore our ability to process stress appropriately moving forward. Ways of working with the body includes, dialogue, imagery, mindfulness and some touch. This practice is based on the idea that animals in the wild routinely experience trauma yet are rarely traumatized as they can discharge this powerful survival energy. For many humans, the survival energy gets stuck in the body. SE is a gentle way to work with the body so that these stuck energies can be released. In this practice, we slow down and become better attuned to what is happening in the nervous system, learning to find balance, self-awareness and confidence.
Courtesy of Somatic Experiencing International YouTube Page
How can art, mindfulness and active imagination be helpful in therapy?
For some individuals, art can be a safer way for expression of an internal experience, allowing the unconscious to become conscious and therefore becoming more understood. We may use paint, markers, collage, chalk, clay or sandplay to express feelings and work through past/current experiences.
Mindfulness is one we may use to way of increasing connection to the present moment while acknowledging current feelings, thoughts and sensations in a nonjudgemental way.
Active imagination is a form of self expression that often uses visualization supporting an increased awareness of our internal world.
How do these methods of therapy work together?
This is a great question! I have chosen these methods of therapy as they align with my therapeutic belief system that all parts of the self desire connection, communication, awareness and support. I often will use certain aspects of these therapies at different times within the therapeutic process depending on what the client is needing at that moment.