Bainbridge Institute for Integrative Psychology

Bainbridge Island, Washington

Our People

Our Approaches

Abstract Summary

Somatic therapy and certain neurobiological advances enable us to use EMDR with those cut off from body awareness. This workshop 1) synthesizes those advances with AIP, 2) defines basic somatic interventions and 3) identifies where in the eight steps of EMDR to use specific somatic elements while maintaining EMDR integrity.

Abstract

The neurobiology of attachment and trauma has resulted in the recent emergence of somatic interventions for treating trauma. This workshop will frame Porges polyvagal theory, Schore’s right hemisphere and developmental postulates within the neural network understanding of the Adaptive Information Processing theory that underlies EMDR; introduce several key somatic interventions including: somatic resourcing, tracking, discharging, pendulation, micromovements, and boundaries, with a framework of somatic empathy (Stanley, 2006), and 3) identify where in the eight step process of EMDR specific somatic elements can be utilized while maintaining the integrity of EMDR. Examples are for Phase One: Treatment Planning: identifying whether the individual can move directly to EMDR or needs “wires hooked up” to the soma; for Phase Two: Preparation via a) teaching tracking internal sensations, b) somatic resourcing to strengthen the self through engaging the ventral vagal system, c) instructing in discharging sympathetic arousal, d) enabling internal coherency to be established through titrating between resources and disturbance to induce spontaneous oscillation; Phase Four: Desensitization in which the somatic interventions are set aside unless looping occurs, for which somatic interweaves may include tracking, micro-movements, boundaries; and Phase Seven: Closure via establishing internal coherency, as a few among other phased somatic interventions. The workshop provides substantial practicum time to gain familiarity with the somatic methods.

Objectives

1. Explain the significance of neuro biological advances and somatic therapy for EMDR practice

2. Demonstrate eight elements of somatic psychotherapy

3. Describe four places in the standard protocol in which somatic interventions may be appropriately utilized

About the Presenter

Dr. Sandra Paulsen has spoken, written and consulted on the use of EMDR and special preparation procedures since 1992. She is co-author of book scheduled for 2011, The Embodied Self: The Neurobiology and Treatment of Trauma and Dissociation,” by Lanius, Paulsen, and Corrigan. She is author and illustrator of the 2009 book, “Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma and Dissociation: An Illustrated Guide for EMDR Therapists and Clients,” and several book chapters. One of her chapters is on EMDR, Ego State Therapy and Somaic Therapy (Paulsen & Lanius, 2009).

Sandra is a fellow of the ISST&D, and was invited speaker for the preconference and conference presentations for 2010 Japan EMDR Association annual conference in Kobe, Japan. was invited Master Series Lecturer for the EMDRIA conference in Montreal in 2004 and is an EMDRIA Certified Consultant. She was a contributor to the 2010 Revision of the ISST&D Treatment Guidelines as well as to the EMDR Task Force on Dissociation the basic EMDR text. She is currently teaching three workshops around the world: Looking Through the Eyes (on ego state therapy and EMDR), the Embodied Self (EMDR and somatic therapy) and When There Are No Words (EMDR for early trauma and neglect). She lives in the woods on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Toward An Embodied Self:

Somatic Interventions for EMDR Practitioners