EMDR is Somatic Therapy
- Tiffany Bentley
- Oct 4
- 3 min read
Understanding EMDR Through the Body
When people first hear about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), they often imagine it as a brain-based technique. After all, the word “eye movement” makes it sound like something happening mostly in your head. But EMDR is deeply rooted in the body. It’s a somatic therapy because it works directly with the nervous system, helping you process trauma in a way that words alone can’t reach.
If you’ve ever felt “stuck” in talk therapy knowing your story, but still feeling triggered in your body, this is where EMDR shines. Trauma isn’t just a memory. It’s a body-based experience. EMDR helps you move through what’s held in your body, so healing feels real, not just intellectual.
What Makes EMDR a Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is rooted in the idea that the body carries the imprint of stress, trauma, and emotion and that healing happens when we include the body in the process. EMDR reflects this principle. It isn’t just about revisiting memories or changing thoughts. It engages the nervous system directly to create space for resolution and relief.
Bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, or sounds) activates both hemispheres of the brain while calming the body.
Body awareness is built into the process. You might notice tightness in your chest, warmth in your hands, or a sense of release, and learn to track those sensations with curiosity.
Trauma resolution happens through the body. EMDR doesn’t require reliving trauma. Instead, the nervous system naturally moves toward integration and safety.
Grounding and regulation tools are woven in, from breathwork to polyvagal-informed strategies, so you can stay present and connected while processing.
Because of this, EMDR is more than a structured method. It is a somatic pathway to healing where mind and body work together to restore balance.
Why This Matters for Trauma Healing
For many people, trauma isn’t about what happened it’s about what got stuck. When the body couldn’t fight, flee, or find safety, the nervous system stored the memory unfinished. That’s why you might feel jumpy, anxious, or frozen long after the event is over.
EMDR helps the body complete that unfinished business. By bringing your nervous system into the process, you’re not just thinking about the trauma differently, you’re actually shifting how your body responds.
This is especially important if you’ve ever felt:
Tired of retelling your story.
Disconnected from your body during therapy.
Stuck in old patterns, even though you “understand” them.
EMDR, as a somatic therapy, gives you another way forward.
Practical Support Outside of Sessions
Healing doesn’t only happen in the therapy room. You can support your nervous system outside of EMDR by building body-based practices into your daily life.
Some gentle options include:
Mindful movement like yoga, tai chi, or stretching.
Breathwork to regulate your nervous system.
Journaling from the body’s perspective (e.g., “What do I feel in my chest right now?”).
If you’d like more structured resources, books like Anchored by Deb Dana can be wonderful companions on your somatic journey.
Insurance and Payment Options
At Somatic Women, EMDR and somatic therapy are offered for women across MA, CT, RI, and VT. We are currently in-network with Aetna and UHC.
If you have out-of-network benefits through another provider, tools like Mentaya or Thrizer may help you use your insurance for reimbursement, making therapy more accessible.
You can learn more about your payment and insurance options here →.
Taking the Next Step
If you’ve been searching for a trauma therapist and wondering whether EMDR or somatic therapy could help, you don’t have to figure it out alone. In a consultation, we’ll talk through your goals, explore what you’re hoping for in therapy, and see if EMDR or another trauma-informed approach is right for you.
Ultimately
You don’t have to get it perfect. You just have to keep going.
EMDR isn’t just a “technique.” It’s a body-centered, client-centered process rooted in safety, integration, and nervous system healing. It’s not about rushing or reliving trauma. It’s about gently moving through what’s stuck with care, support, and choice.
You don’t have to do it alone. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to take the next right step for you.
Because ultimately, Light, you’re the keeper of your own knowing—no one else has that kind of power. Shine bright and keep moving forward.
Thanks for reading!
About the Author
Tiffany Bentley, LCSW, is the founder of Somatic Women, a virtual therapy practice supporting women in MA, CT, RI, VT, and FL. She integrates EMDR, ACT, and somatic therapies to help women reclaim their voices, restore balance, and live with clarity.
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