Somatic Workshop Seattle

I gave a workshop in Seattle last Sunday to a group of accomplished EMDR clinicians to help them learn a few basic somatic interventions. Traditional somatic coursework takes about two years of quarterly long weekends. Clearly I did not attempt to duplicate all that material. However, since EMDR clinicians are already deeply steeped in an understanding of trauma theory and treatment, I knew from my experience that it does not take a full two years for most EMDR clinicians to acquire some basic somatic methods. I skipped all but the most cursor neurobiological theory and research, emphasizing Porges Polyvagal Theory. The rest of the time was spent on seven interventions reviewed in the chapter I wrote with Ulrich Lanius in the Robin Shapiro Solutions II book. And they practiced. It is also understood from an AIP perspective that EMDR is more efficient and cost effective that Somatic work is when compared side to side. EMDR moves faster. However, some clients are not ready for EMDR initially, and somatic therapy can help them increase soma and affect tolerance. Somatic therapy is then a preparation method for EMDR therapy. Somatic interweaves also have a place in EMDR work, especially micromovements to be used when EMDR is looping or to close down certain incomplete sessions. There is more to it, but participants were pleased with the workshop.

Conference in Japan

At the end of May, I'll be traveling to Kobe, Japan, to present with Dr. Ulrich Lanius, my colleague in Vancouver, B.C. He and I wrote a chapter that just came out last month in the book by Robin Shapiro, MSW, LCSW, called EMDR Solutions II: For Depression, Eating Disorders, Performance, and More.

First I'll present a half day during their regular conference on assessing for dissociation. He'll present on the neurobiology of dissociation, as it relates to the body. Then, at the post-conference advanced trainings, he'll present a day on somatic therapies that help to embody the self, and I'll present a day on a phased approach to treating dissociation using ego state therapy. It will culminate in how to modify the EMDR protocol to treat dissociation. We are honored to be able to present this information which will be helpful in the healing of many people in Japan.