Phase Oriented Treatment of Trauma:
EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Abstract

A phase oriented approach is the current standard of care for complex trauma. This workshop will integrate the interventions from both EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to meet the goals of each of the three phases of treatment: Stabilization, processing traumatic memory and reintegration. Phase 1 skills from EMDR from EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy will be explored that address managing affect and physiological arousal to help stabilize the client. During Phase 2, processing traumatic memory, EMDR’s cognitive interweaves will be coupled with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy’s body-oriented, somatic skills. EMDR interventions for Phase 3 treatment along with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy’s thoughts on developmental trauma will be integrated. Throughout the workshop, the presenter will explore when approaches from each of EMDR and Sensorimotor are most effective and how they can be interwoven.