Somatic Attachment Focused-EMDR (SAFE) is a body-mind approach to help individuals heal from PTSD and relational and developmental trauma. This approach uncovers the foundation and attachment patterns to heal trauma. Regardless of how long a traumatic event was experienced, it can become deeply stored in your body.

Often, individuals carry fragmented remains of the trauma, including feelings of fear, pain, anxiety, shame, and helplessness. Trauma manifests in symptoms rather than memories, and the Somatic Attachment-Focused EMDR approach uniquely focuses on body sensations. Dr. Peter Levine, the innovator of the Somatic Experiencing body-oriented approach, has conducted over 50 years of research and clinical work in this field.

The Somatic Experiencing approach supports the self-protective motor responses and the release of survival energy stored in your body, addressing the root cause of trauma symptoms. The body-oriented exercises make this approach more accessible, guiding clients to tolerate difficult body sensations and suppressed emotions. For more Trauma Healing.

I am an EMDRIA Certified EMDR and an Approved Consultant trained in Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (EMDR R-TEP, G-TEP, and G-REP) for Early EMDR Intervention (EEI) developed by Elan Shapiro and Brurit Laub.

Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP), developed in 2008, is a current trauma-focused protocol for EEI that incorporates and extends the existing EMD and Recent Event protocols together with additional measures for containment and safety. Typically, the EMDR R-TEP involves 2-4 sessions, which can be scheduled consecutively if desired.

Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) was developed in 2014. This protocol is designed to assist groups dealing with recent traumatic events. It applies to adults, teens, and children affected by the same traumatic event, such as natural disasters or acts of violence. Additionally, it can be used for families and couples. The G-TEP Trauma Episode approach addresses the fragmented and multi-target nature of non-consolidated (recent) trauma memories.

G-REP, the Group Resource Enhancement Protocol (GREP) The latest protocol, created in 2022, is designed to aid therapists of different orientations in utilizing an EMDR-based approach to establish robust resource connections and enhance stabilization. Currently, it is being used to remotely connect with EMDR therapists in Ukraine and refugees in other nations.

What is EMDR?

“EMDR therapy is an integrative, client-centered approach that treats problems of daily living based on disturbing life experiences that continue to have a negative impact on a person throughout the lifespan. Its Adaptive Information Processing theory hypothesizes that current difficulties are caused by disturbing memories that are inadequately processed and that symptoms are reduced or eliminated altogether when these memories are processed to resolution using dual attention bilateral stimulation. The resolution of these targeted memories is hypothesized to result in memory reconsolidation. The standard application of EMDR therapy is comprised of eight phases and a three-pronged approach to identify and process: (a) Memories of past adverse life experiences that underlie present problems, (b) Present-day situations that elicit disturbance and maladaptive responses, and (c) Anticipatory future scenarios that require adaptive responses. There is strong empirical evidence for its use in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, and it has also been found to be an effective, transdiagnostic treatment approach for a wide range of diagnoses in a variety of contexts and treatment settings with diverse populations.”

How does EMDR Work?

The brain has a natural way of recovering from distress. Many times, traumatic experiences can be managed and resolved spontaneously. Other times, our fight, flight or freeze response prevents distress from being processed without help.

EMDR helps the brain process traumatic experiences and memories, creating a normal healing communication to resume. This process involves communication between the amygdala (the alarm signal for stressful events), the hippocampus (which assists with learning, including memories about safety and danger), and the prefrontal cortex (which analyzes and controls behavior and emotion).

Stress responses are part of our natural fight, flight, or freeze instincts. When distress from a disturbing event remains, the disturbing images, thoughts, and emotions may create an overwhelming feeling of being back in that moment or “frozen in time.” EMDR therapy helps the brain process these memories and resumes normal healing. The experience is still remembered, but the original event's fight, flight, or freeze response is resolved.

Although some traumatic experiences can be resolved on their own, many require outside help to be properly managed and processed. EMDR therapy can effectively resolve the flight or freeze response associated with traumatic events.

EMDR therapy can be completed in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies.