Somatic Therapy
EMDR & Brainspotting
Here are some resources to prepare you for engaging in a somatic therapy to more effectively recover from the effects of past trauma. There is an attached assessment packet with some brief forms to complete, and an attached article on the trauma therapy known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), the foundation from which the newer "Brainspotting" therapy was developed, and links to resources below to prepare for Brainspotting treatment:
Download.
Somatic Therapies for Trauma
EMDR
Please watch the interview of 2 therapists I received part of my EMDR training from discussing EMDR treatment of trauma.
​
Brainspotting Resources
The first video below explains how trauma can rewire the nervous system and affect us long after the immediate danger is over. Following that are two videos about the Brainspotting approach with therapist and creator David Grand, PhD.
After the video links are links to recordings of "bilateral music," which need to be heard through earbuds/headphones for a bilateral (switching left-right) effect.
During a Brainspotting session the client listens to music with earbuds or headphones on to hear the stereo "bilateral" effect of the music. These instrumentals can also be calming to listen to outside of therapy. Please sample each one and find one that feels most pleasant to you and have it ready to play with your headphones or earbuds by your next therapy session.
Video's About Brainspotting and How It Works
​
Trauma and the Nervous System
https://youtu.be/ZdIQRxwT1I0
What is Brainspotting?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm3Plvaf3UE
The Brainspotting Hypothesis Revisited
Bilateral Music/Sounds for Brainspotting Sessions
Bilateral Music for Brainspotting (requires listening with a stereo device like headphones/earbuds)
​
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sZifqSDge4
​
​
1H Deep Relax Bilateral Music - Release Stress, Anxiety, PTSD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcXvSR7E8QU&t=2243s
1 HR Bilateral Music Therapy - Relieve Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, Nervousness - EMDR, Brainspotting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AAH7vINhmQ
Bilateral Music Therapy Session | For Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, Nerves | Deep Sleep | EMDR, Meditation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQoxYF6C-eM
Beautiful nature videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XJtuAdfQmk&t=71s
1 HR Bilateral Music Therapy - Relieve Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, Nervousness - EMDR, Brainspotting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3m6-wGFWhk&t=19s
​
Unilateral Eye Processing with Brainspotting
As part of “advanced resourcing” through Brainspotting it will be necessary to have a low-cost eye patch ready to use for treatments that require use of only one or the other eye. Below are a couple of choices from Amazon, but feel free to search for what works best for you. Sometimes a local pharmacy have eyepatches, but it will need to be one that is easy to switch from one eye to the other (has an elastic strap around the head rather than adhesive type).
You can also check Longs, Target or Walgreens for these kinds of eye patches.
Eye Patches