EMDR Therapy and Ketamine-Assisted Therapy: A Somatic Perspective on Healing Complex Trauma
As trauma-informed somatic therapists with, combined, over two decades of experience working with complex trauma, we know the profound impact that both EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy can have on the nervous system. The integration of these modalities offers unique opportunities to address trauma not just cognitively, but through the fundamental language of the body itself.
Understanding Trauma Through a Somatic Lens
Before diving into the synergy of EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy, it’s crucial to understand that trauma lives in the body. As somatic practitioners, we know how trauma manifests in subtle physical patterns–chronic muscle tension, disrupted breathing patterns, and difficulty staying grounded in the present moment. Both EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy can help release these deeply held patterns in complementary ways.
EMDR therapy aligns with somatic approaches because it engages the body’s innate healing mechanisms. Through bilateral stimulation, EMDR therapy helps activate the body’s natural trauma processing system, similar to how REM sleep allows us to process daily experiences. We pay particular attention to how our clients’ bodies respond during EMDR therapy–noting shifts in breathing, muscle tension, and nervous system activation.
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and Somatic Awareness
In our practice, we’ve observed how ketamine-assisted therapy creates a unique window of opportunity for deeper somatic work. During ketamine sessions, clients often report a dissolution of the usual boundaries between mind and body, allowing access to sensations and emotions that might otherwise remain locked in the nervous system. This state can be particularly valuable for clients who have developed strong cognitive defenses or who struggle with chronic physical tension patterns.
When thoughtfully combined, EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy can work together to create powerful shifts in both body and mind. Here’s how we typically approach this integration in our practice:
Initial Phase: Establishing Safety
Before introducing either modality, we work with clients to develop strong somatic resources–teaching them to track bodily sensations, establish healthy boundaries, and regulate their nervous system. This foundation is crucial for both EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy to be effective.
Building Body Awareness
During ketamine-assisted therapy sessions, we guide clients to maintain awareness of their physical sensations while allowing the medicine to help release deeply held tension patterns. This bodily awareness becomes a valuable resource when we later engage in EMDR therapy.
Integration Through Movement
Following both EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy sessions, we incorporate gentle movement practices to help integrate the experience at a physical level. This might include subtle gestures, stretching, or authentic movement exercises that allow the body to process and integrate the therapeutic experience.
Clinical Observations from a Somatic Perspective
In our practice, we’ve noticed several key patterns when combining EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy:
Clients often report feeling more connected to their bodies after ketamine-assisted therapy, making subsequent EMDR therapy sessions more effective.
The combination seems particularly helpful for clients with freeze responses or dissociative tendencies.
Physical symptoms of trauma often begin to resolve more quickly when both modalities are used together.
The integration appears to help clients maintain their progress more sustainably.
Important Somatic Considerations
When combining these modalities, we pay careful attention to:
Nervous System Regulation
Monitoring clients’ nervous system activation levels and ensuring they have tools to regulate between sessions is crucial. Both EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy can bring up intense somatic experiences, and clients need to feel equipped to handle these shifts.
Physical Integration
Providing adequate time and support for physical integration between sessions is essential. This might include recommending specific somatic practices, movement exercises, or body-based mindfulness techniques.
Environmental Support
Creating a physically and emotionally safe space that supports both EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy sessions, with attention to factors like comfortable seating, temperature, and lighting that affect the body's sense of safety.
Closing Thoughts
As both EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy continue to evolve, I believe we’ll see more integration with somatic approaches. The body holds our stories, and these combined modalities offer powerful tools for helping those stories transform and heal. The combination of EMDR therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy represents a profound opportunity to work with trauma at both the physical and psychological levels.
If you are interested in learning more about EMDR and ketamine-assisted therapy to treat complex trauma and PTSD, please schedule a complimentary consultation. You may also check out our blog to learn more about other modalities and offerings!