EMDR within the PhenoSomo Decolonizing Framework

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 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help people heal from the emotional distress and symptoms that result from disturbing life experiences. It is recognized by organizations like the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association for treating trauma (Shapiro, 2018).  

• Our brain has a natural, innate system for processing experiences and moving toward mental health, much like our body has a system to heal from a physical wound. 
• Trauma overwhelms this system. The memory, along with its associated images, beliefs, emotions, and body sensations, becomes "stuck" or unprocessed. It is stored in its original, distressing form. 
• These stuck memories are the basis for present-day emotional and psychological problems. They can be triggered, causing us to react to current situations as if we are back in the past trauma. 

 EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (BLS), such as side-to-side eye movements, taps, or tones, to activate the brain’s natural healing process. It is believed that BLS mimics the neurological processes that occur during REM sleep, helping the brain "digest" these stuck memories. The memory is not erased, but it is integrated and stored adaptively, losing its intense emotional charge and allowing you to develop healthier beliefs about yourself.  

AIP Through a Decolonizing Lens  

In our work, we expand the AIP model to understand that what "overwhelms the system" is not just personal trauma, but also systemic and intergenerational trauma (e.g., racism, colonialism, ableism). These forces create "deep programming"—stuck memories and beliefs—that live in our bodies and minds. 

We use EMDR to target: 

• Personal traumatic events (e.g., a car accident, a specific loss). 
• The "stuck" memories and beliefs that stem from internalized oppression (e.g., "I am not safe," "My voice doesn't matter," "I must be perfect to belong"). 
• Somatic memories—the ways trauma is held as physical tension, pain, or numbness in the body. 
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This integrated approach helps us process not just the event, but also the deeper, systemic roots of the wound, moving toward true embodied liberation. 

• For a Single, Recent Trauma: Processing might be completed in just a few sessions. 
• For Most of Us: Our memories are a complex web. A current stressor might be linked to a childhood memory, which is connected to a sense of not being enough, rooted in systems of oppression or family patterns. This deeper work requires a greater commitment to the therapeutic space. 
• The Therapeutic Relationship is Key: EMDR is most effective and safest within a trusting, established therapeutic relationship. I do not practice EMDR as a standalone technique. Our work is integrated, weaving EMDR with the PhenoSomo framework, including talk therapy and somatic awareness, to ensure your nervous system feels supported throughout. 

I practice from a neurodiversity-affirming lens. Standard EMDR protocols can be too rigid for neurocomplex individuals and those with complex PTSD. My approach is adaptive and may include: 

• Adjusting the speed or type of bilateral stimulation (BLS) to suit your sensory needs. 
• Incorporating more somatic (body-based) resources. 
• Allowing for movement, vocalization, writing or drawing during sessions. 
• Following your unique processing style without forcing a specific outcome. 

The goal is always your empowerment and healing, on your terms. 

References & Further Reading: 

• Shapiro, F. (2018). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy, Third Edition: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. Guilford Press. 
• Wilson, C. (2023). The Applied Polyvagal Theory Flip Chart. PESI. 
• Menakem, R. (2017). My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies. Central Recovery Press. 
• EMDR International Association Home | EMDR Practitioners 

Disclaimer: This handout is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapeutic advice.