EMDR & Somatic: How they compare
EMDR and Somatic Experiencing®: Two Evidence-Based Paths to Healing
Both EMDR and Somatic Experiencing® are powerful, evidence-based approaches to trauma healing, however, they work in very different ways. Some clients find EMDR especially helpful for reprocessing a single traumatic event, while others feel more supported by the gentler, body-based approach of Somatic Experiencing. Each path has its own strengths, and part of our work together is finding which approach feels safest and most effective for you.
How They Compare:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been extensively researched and is endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) as a highly effective treatment for single-incident trauma, such as car accidents, assaults, or natural disasters. Many clients find significant relief after just a handful of sessions when addressing these types of experiences.
For long-term or complex trauma, like ongoing childhood neglect, repeated abuse, or years of toxic relationships, EMDR may not always be the best starting place. Because EMDR involves revisiting painful memories, it can feel overwhelming and even unsafe if the nervous system isn’t yet ready.
This is where Somatic Therapy can be especially supportive. Somatic work focuses on the here and now, helping you regulate your body, release stored stress, and build a strong foundation of safety and resilience. For many, somatic approaches are a gentle entry point before, or alongside, trauma reprocessing methods like EMDR.
In short: EMDR is well-proven for single-event trauma, while somatic therapy can offer a safer pathway for those healing from long-term or complex experiences.