EMDR and Somatic Therapy: Similarities and Differences
Are you wondering about the type of psychotherapy that might be most beneficial for you? Deciding what type of treatment to use can be complex, especially when we have limited knowledge about the different types of psychotherapies and what they offer. Furthermore, in some cases, like the one of EMDR vs somatic therapy, where there are similarities in treatment, the decision may become even harder to make.
Therefore, it is crucial to really learn and understand the differences and similarities between EMDR and somatic therapy (notably Somatic Experiencing). You can make an informed decision once you know and compare the two modalities.
This blog post explains the similarities and differences between EMDR and somatic therapy. Read on before making your final decision.
And stay tuned, as the following article in our journal will focus on helping you make an educated decision!
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a type of structured psychotherapy developed in the 1990s that uses bilateral stimulation (mainly eye movement) to engage areas in the brain and help people integrate traumatic experiences.
EMDR operates on the notion that traumatic experiences are somewhat “stuck” in the brain, unprocessed. This is why so much of the traumatic memories can return in the form of flashbacks and evoke intense emotional reactions. EMDR encourages reprocessing by guiding the client as they recall their traumatic experiences while engaging in eye movements. In other parts of the therapy, the EMDR therapist also equips the client with healthy coping skills and strengthens the client's support system, all while communicating with the client and strategically assessing improvements as therapy moves forward.
As research shows, EMDR is an evidence-based and effective tool for dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, phobias, panic attacks, depression, and many more trauma-related difficulties. To learn more about the difficulties that EMDR can help with, head over to our blog.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a broad category of therapies with Somatic Experiencing (SE) being probably the most widely known. SE is an integrative therapy method developed by Dr. Peter Levine. SE is specifically designed for trauma therapy and focuses primarily on the way feelings and experiences become embedded into the body.
SE operates on the notion that unresolved trauma is “stored” in the body and can cause lasting physical and emotional pain. With the help of numerous tools, somatic therapy helps heal psychological and physical trauma. It is used in disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, addictions, depression, and other mental health issues related to trauma.
SE helps clients access and process unprocessed feelings that are stuck somewhere in the body. Using different techniques it teaches clients to release that frozen energy, bringing comfort, bodily balance, and improved emotional resilience.
To find out more about how trauma affects the body, head over to our blog about somatic symptoms of trauma.
Similarities between EMDR and Somatic Therapy
EMDR and somatic therapy have some similarities.
They are newer types of psychotherapy
One of the most significant similarities between EMDR and Somatic experiencing is that they are both newer forms of psychotherapy. EMDR was invented in 1987 by psychologist Francine Shapiro. While walking, she noticed her negative emotions lowered if she moved her eyes side-to-side. She investigated this phenomenon and soon developed and perfected the EMDR protocol.
Somatic experiencing, on the other hand, was invented in the 1970s by psychologist Peter Levine. He started his method with an understanding of the human experience called the "SIBAM" model (sensation, image, behavior, affect, and meaning). From there, he developed a psychotherapy treatment meant to unify these experiences in people who have experienced trauma and seem to have incoherent and fragmented experiences.
They are effective and evidence-based
Both EMDR and somatic therapy are effective and evidence-based modalities that help clients cope with and overcome traumatic experiences. Both of these psychotherapies are based on scientific research and are effective in treating trauma-related challenges.
They can help with similar issues and difficulties
Both EMDR and somatic therapy are used to treat trauma and trauma consequences. Both of these therapies can be used for treating anxiety, PTSD, grief, depression or panic attacks, and phobias.
They strive to reduce distress and promote emotional regulation
The main goals of both EMDR and somatic therapy are to lower the distress caused by a traumatic experience and promote better emotional resilience and self-regulation in the client. Nonetheless, they use different methods to achieve the same goal—EMDR focuses more on the brain and the mental processing of trauma. In contrast, Somatic experience focuses on the body and movement to release some stuck energy.
They both focus on bodily awareness
Another similarity between EMDR and Somatic therapy is that they both emphasize physical senses and bodily awareness. Unlike many forms of talk therapy, EMDR and somatic experiencing involve techniques where the client maintains awareness and evaluates their physical and emotional states. Furthermore, they may often focus on physical activities such as grounding, mindfulness exercises, breathing techniques, or body scans to help the client increase their body awareness, decrease their discomfort, and improve their emotional regulation abilities.
Differences between EMDR and Somatic Therapy
Although Somatic therapy and EMDR are similar in some aspects, they differ in others.
Here are some of the biggest differences between Somatic therapy and EMDR:
They use different approaches
Even though both EMDR and Somatic therapy focus on body awareness as a starting point for working through trauma, they use different approaches in their methods. Namely, Somatic therapy works on healing trauma with the help of the body. By raising awareness about bodily sensations and feelings, focusing on tension, discomfort, or relaxation, Somatic therapy helps the client reconnect with their body and release the frozen energy from their body as a starting point for working through traumatic experiences. As such, Somatic Experiencing focuses on the body and sensations.
EMDR, on the other hand, utilizes the brain’s processing ability to work through trauma. Through a structured step-by-step process and bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps the brain reprocess memories and store them in different brain regions, lowering their emotional charge and positively impacting the client's everyday life. With that, EMDR focuses on thoughts and beliefs.
They use different procedures and steps
Another difference between EMDR and Somatic experiencing is how they structure and approach treatment. Somatic therapy is less structured and directive compared to EMDR and doesn’t have a strict order or procedure. Instead, it focuses on what is currently present as a physical symptom for the client and works on that. EMDR, on the other hand, is far more structured, following rules that ensure that the given step is appropriate for the client and their particular background. Furthermore, the EMDR therapist is far more directive, providing instructions on what the client should do and why.
They use different techniques
A logical difference between somatic experiencing and EMDR stems from our previous point. As they use different procedures, they also use different techniques to provoke healing. Somatic experiencing, as a less structured method, relies on awareness of bodily sensations, breathing techniques, slow movement, physical exercises, and mindfulness practices to resolve existing symptoms.
In contrast, EMDR follows a strict 8-step protocol to guide the client through the process and ensure they are ready for each step. The primary technique of EMDR is bilateral stimulation, i.e., rhythmical engagement of both sides of the brain, most commonly done with side-to-side eye movement. With this technique, the brain is desensitized to the strong emotions connected to traumatic experiences, neutralizing the memory so it is less triggering.
They are applicable to different things
Although both Somatic Experiencing and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing can be used for trauma-cased mental health difficulties, they are usually applicable for different symptoms. So, SE is highly effective when the client experiences physical symptoms like chronic pain, muscle tension, or numbness in body parts. Somatic Experiencing is also recommended for people who are disconnected from their emotions and have difficulty noticing, naming, and feeling them.
EMDR, on the other hand, is better for individuals who have strong triggers and deal with specific, distressing memories that restrict their everyday functioning. It is also recommended for people who are looking to make some belief changes connected to traumatic experiences and want to reframe and lower the impact of the intense emotions they experience as a result of their traumatic memories.
They have different process length
Although the length of therapy for any kind of psychotherapy is different and highly individual, SE and EMDR, by default, have different therapy lengths and frames. Somatic treatment focuses on one specific issue in one session, usually lasting up to an hour. EMDR, on the other hand, may focus on more problems simultaneously so that a therapy session can last anywhere between an hour and two hours.
Furthermore, they differ in the overall length of the whole process. EMDR is far more structured, so it can help the client in 6 to 12 sessions. SE, on the other hand, tends to be a much slower and longer process.
Suppose you are wondering whether Somatic Experiencing or EMDR is a better choice for you. In that case, it’s essential to learn about their similarities and differences and then cross-check that with your own circumstances and what you need to heal. Stay tuned for our next article as we discuss all of these things and hopefully guide you to the best healing treatment for yourself.
Conclusion
EMDR therapy and somatic experiences, as newer types of psychotherapies, are similar in their effectiveness and the types of difficulties they can help with, as well as their strive to help clients reduce their distress and improve their emotional regulation. On the other hand, they also have differences, mainly in the way that they approach trauma and the procedures and techniques they utilize to promote healing. Furthermore, they tend to be more effective for different SEs of symptoms, and the therapy sessions and processes last different amounts of time.
Here at EMDR Therapy Nashville, we are dedicated to helping clients become their best selves. We utilize various methods to achieve this, including EMDR and somatic therapy! So, contact us today with any questions or to start your journey to becoming the best version of yourself. We have the roadmap!
References
Payne, P., Levine, P. A., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015, January 17). Somatic experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093/full
Peter A. Levine, Phd. Ergos Institute, inc. https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/about-peter
Shapiro, F. (2014). The role of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in medicine: Addressing the psychological and physical symptoms stemming from adverse life experiences. The Permanente journal. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3951033/
