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THE EMBODY LAB BLOG
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Taming Your Nervous System: A Journey of Healing and Self-Discovery
Most of us think of our nervous system as something that just happens in the background. But it's actually the conductor of your entire life experience. Every feeling, memory, and reaction is filtered through this incredible biological system. Think about it like this: When you remember a delicious meal, it's not just a mental image. Your body responds with mouth-watering sensations, perhaps even a warmth in your stomach. That's your nervous system in action! It's constantly communicating with you through physical and emotional signals.
Understanding and Healing Core Relational Wounds: With Dr. Diane Poole Heller and Dr. Scott Lyons
When it comes to healing our deepest relational wounds, understanding how they show up in our bodies is just as important as understanding how they exist in our minds. In the recent Relationship Summit, Attachment Expert Dr. Diane Poole Heller and Somatic Psychologist Dr. Scott Lyons shared valuable insights on how early relationships shape our nervous systems and how we can start healing today.
Healing Trauma with EMDR and Parts Work: A Holistic Approach to Emotional Wellness
Imagine a therapy approach that doesn't just talk about your trauma, but helps your brain actually process and heal from painful experiences. Welcome to the powerful world of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) combined with Parts Work – a revolutionary method for understanding and healing your inner landscape. EMDR is like a gentle reset button for your brain's traumatic memories. Using bilateral stimulation (typically side-to-side eye movements), this therapy helps your brain reprocess difficult experiences, transforming how traumatic memories are stored. Think of it as helping your brain file away painful memories in a way that doesn't keep triggering you.
Somatic CBT Certificate: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Healing
Our intention with the Somatic CBT Certificate program is to tap into our shared purpose to help heal ourselves and others while sharing the skills and tools to make that a reality. We’ll begin by recognizing our behaviors, tuning into our bodies, and exploring the relational dynamics and beliefs that shape those behaviors. Together, we’ll learn to embody these holistic experiences and apply them effectively in our lives. Learn more about this transformative program…
Grief Fortitude: My Journey of Finding Joy Amid the Loss
In this crazy, beautiful life, you and I will both experience loss and its constant companion, grief. But I am here to say that in the weeds of grief, unconditional joy is always possible. I’ve experimented with how to live this out in real-time, and this piece highlights my experience.
Polyvagal Theory: Addressing the Physiological Roots of Physical and Mental Health
Polyvagal theory locates the nervous system within the individual (as well as within a social context) and helps to explain how and why our nervous systems interact in order to communicate cues of safety and connection, allowing us to feel understood in the presence of others. It also highlights how our nervous systems detect disconnection, sensing danger in our environment or from those around us. Learn more about Polyvagal Theory and the roots of health with Dr. Arielle Schwartz...
Outrunning Powerlessness: A Discussion with Nkem Ndefo
Trauma can simply be defined as too much, too fast, or too little for too long. It is a universal and unifying experience of being human. Nkem says "Trauma is a universal and unifying experience of being human, yet, we don’t always have the best understanding of it.”
Rumi: ‘The Cure for Pain is in the Pain’
Healing your wounded heart isn’t easy, but it’s worth it — where to begin to lean into curing your pain.
Bereavement Companionship and Somatic Group Work
Bereavement companionship circles offer a safe haven for the bereft to share vulnerable grief stories associated with a significant loss of a loved one. The collective wisdom of the group springs forth from the tapestry of interweaving grief stories. Connections are deeply cultivated in group storytelling and leave participants feeling less isolated along their grief journey.
The Transformative Power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) For Individuals and Therapists
Internal Family Systems (IFS) stands out as a profound therapeutic approach for individuals navigating personal healing and therapists facilitating transformative sessions. Developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, IFS introduces a distinctive framework centered around the concept of the Self. The following information was shared in a live conversation between Dr. Scott Lyons, Dr. Richard Schwartz, and Dr. Peter Levine on the topic of Internal Family Systems (IFS).
Burnout and the Radical Path of Non-Abandonment of Self
It takes an enormous amount of courage and vulnerability to talk about and get curious about burnout. At its core, burnout actually reflects a very important set of primal human needs and wishes - safety, belonging, and dignity. Burnout is simply a response to overwhelming life experiences. An adaptive strategy to the underlying need for safety, slowing down, and a holding environment where all parts of oneself are welcome, seen, heard, and acknowledged.
Art Therapy: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that encourages individuals to express themselves creatively through various art forms, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and other artistic media. This therapeutic modality utilizes the creative process to enhance emotional well-being, self-awareness, and personal growth.
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.
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.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) for Anxiety, Depression, and Couples Therapy
By embracing emotions as valuable sources of information and guidance, EFT helps individuals develop deeper self-awareness, cultivate healthier emotional responses, and empower them with the necessary resources to confront challenging situations with resilience and strength.
Mindfulness Therapies for Cultivating Presence and Inner Peace
Mindfulness is the art of being in the present moment, aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. Emerging from a long line of ancient traditions, mindfulness therapies present an antidote to the stress of fast-paced modern life. They focus on bringing the practitioner back into the present moment and away from ruminating thoughts and anxiety.
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.