Basic Somatics for EMDR Practitioners

Tomorrow I'll be in Seattle teaching a group of accomplished EMDR practitioners about basic somatic techniques. This is equivalent to a Cliffs Notes version of the somatic trainings that usually take several years. Because EMDR practitioners are already deeply versed in a great deal of trauma theory and practice, living and breathing it every day, I think the two-three years isn't always necessary. This workshop provides a handy list of several of the methods most commonly used in somatic work and gives opportunity for practice. This material, including the neurobiological theory that the workshop doesn't have time to include, is also covered in greater depth in the chapter by Sandra Paulsen and Ulrich Lanius in Robin Shapiro's Solutions II book, noted elsewhere on this page.

In keeping with the emphasis on integrative psychology that the Bainbridge Institute for Integrative Psychology values, the workshop will include Native American songs, likely grounding and healing songs, as sung by my colleague at the Institute, Tim Iistowanohpataakiiwa at http://www.youtube.com/user/cedarfjord. This link shows Tim singing a grounding song. Why am I including Native music in this somatic workshop, you may well ask? Well, it is because somatic methods are very sympatico with Native healing methods. To sink into the felt sense of the body in the present moment is essential to Native healing, Native spirituality, and Native being. That's why. And Tim is so very gifted.

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.