THE EMBODY LAB BLOG
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Understanding the Healing Power of EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy offers a unique approach for those seeking solace from the long-term effects of trauma. Bessel van der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps the Score,” says that EMDR is one of the most effective ways to heal trauma and find relief from the symptoms of PTSD.
Exploring the Hakomi Method of Mindful Psychotherapy
The Hakomi Method offers a unique approach to psychotherapy that combines mindfulness, compassion, and somatic awareness to foster personal growth and healing. Originally developed in the late 1970s by Ron Kurtz, Hakomi is influenced by humanistic psychology and Eastern philosophical traditions.
Embracing Nature: Eco Therapy for Somatic Trauma Healing
Eco therapy, also known as nature therapy or “green therapy”, is a therapeutic approach that taps into the healing power of nature to address various mental and physical health issues. Drawing inspiration from the vast expanses of natural resources and the calming effects of the great outdoors, eco therapy offers a holistic path towards healing and personal growth.
Excerpt from “The Mind-Body Guide to the Twelve Steps: Finding Joy, Sensuality, and Pleasure in Recovery—Integrative Spiritual and Somatic Practices for Healing from Trauma and Addiction”
Twelve Step recovery offers a profound approach for recovery from all types of addictions. The Steps can bring awareness to, and eventually freedom from, our dependency on unhealthy patterns, substances, and behaviors—whether it be drugs, alcohol, or sugar; overeating or undereating or compulsive exercise; compulsive shopping, workaholism, debting, or underearning; technology or sex or gambling or unhealthy relational dynamics—all of the ever-present behaviors that result in the devastation of our bodies, our relationships, and the Earth.
Q&A with Dr. Arielle Schwartz: Movement Integration - A Journey of Healing and Empowerment
In a recent session led by renowned psychologist and somatic healing expert, Dr. Arielle Schwartz, participants had the opportunity to experience an enriching movement integration exercise followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Session Notes: Dr. Arielle Schwartz Explains Trauma Healing and Somatic Practices from a Polyvagal Perspective
In the world of trauma recovery, innovative approaches that merge different disciplines hold immense potential. A notable example is the integration of Applied Polyvagal Theory with yoga principles. Join us in reflection of our recent conversation with Dr. Arielle Schwartz, a renowned somatics expert, as she shares insights on the polyvagal perspective and its implications for trauma healing and somatic practices.
EMDR Treatment: How Rapid Eye Movements Can Help Trauma Recovery
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach that can be used to help individuals process and recover from traumatic experiences. It was developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s after she discovered a decrease in her anxiety while moving her eyes from side to side.
The Medicine of Integration: Sustaining the Tensions Between Depth and Breadth in Somatic Practice
To use a wide repertoire successfully, we need to deepen our understanding of each tool without marrying ourselves to it. Widening the repertoire of tools creates choice points, introduces options, and cultivates cognitive flexibility and creative thinking, all factors that promote health for trauma survivors. A trauma-informed approach requires an integration of approaches.
Q&A with Dr. Arielle Schwartz: Exploring Applied Polyvagal Theory and Yoga Principles for Trauma Recovery
By understanding the crucial role of the vagus nerve in establishing balance within the autonomic nervous system and tapping into the mind-body connection through yoga, we can embark on a transformative journey toward healing.
Navigating the Impact of Trauma Porn (Part 3): Unveiling the Path to Resilience and Liberation
Healing from trauma is a profound and intricate process that extends far beyond mere catharsis or storytelling. It involves re-patterning our experiences and transforming how we hold them.
Unveiling the Impact of Trauma Porn (Part 2): The Power of Narrative and the Dangers of Exploitation
Understanding the dynamics of trauma and its consequences is crucial, especially when it comes to the narratives we share and consume.
Unveiling the Impact of Trauma Porn (Part 1): Nurturing Resilience Amidst Stress and Trauma
Navigating stress and trauma requires self-awareness, trauma-informed approaches, and a critical examination of the damaging effects of trauma porn. By prioritizing healing and acquiring new resources, individuals can embark on a journey of recovery and resilience.
What is Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy?
Working with an Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy practitioner you’ll be offered techniques to sense and regulate your body and state of being. This includes building more internal and external resources, building trusting relationships, learning to turn inward with compassion, being invited deeper into the body, and given time and space to process trauma. Find out more…
What is Somatic Parts Work
Somatic Parts Work integrates the methodology of Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) and other trauma-informed models to support you in healing underlying past trauma and pain. IFS is grounded on the idea that our inner world consists of a system made up of various parts (sub-personalities). Find out more…
The biology of trauma with Dr Aimie Apigian
What are the connections between biology and trauma? How can functional medicine help us heal faster? Dr Aimie Apigian explains what you’ll learn in her Biology of Trauma Workshop and how it can benefit you as a practitioner of somatics.
How childhood attachment & trauma issues are more biological and not psychological
We have always been told our attachment style and early childhood trauma is psychological. However this is simply not true. We just haven’t known better until now. In this article by Dr Aimie Apigian, she shares why these are more biological than psychological and how we can harness the power of our biology to heal faster!
Creating Conscious Love with Sheleana Aiyana
We recently caught up with Rising Woman founder and author of “Being the One”, Sheleana Aiyana to talk about Creating Conscious Love.
The power of somatics to transform, to empower and change lives
In our recent Meet The Faculty session for the Somatic Attachment Therapy Certificate, Euphrasia spoke about the incredible transformation she’s seen in her clients since implementing Somatic Experiencing in her practice. Read her story of how somatics created transformation change in individuals and her whole community!
The Gifts of Trauma
The Gifts of Trauma, an excerpt from the book: Yoga & Psyche: Integrating the Paths of Yoga and Psychology for Healing, Transformation, and Joy by Mariana Caplan, PhD, MFT.