Somatic, Adventure, & EMDR Therapy with Katie Asmus
May 3, 2022
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Therapist Katie Asmus discusses the integration of somatic and EMDR therapy, the connection between craving and healing, the importance of normalizing humanness in therapy, and the significance of reconnecting with nature. The podcast also recommends upcoming trainings and discusses other podcasts by Beyond Healing Media.
Incorporating somatic awareness and sensory resources in EMDR sessions enhances therapeutic benefits.
Connecting with nature during therapy can provide safety, predictability, and secure attachment for clients.
Deep dives
Somatic Therapy and Nature-Based Therapies in EMDR
Katie Asmus, a psychotherapist specializing in somatic and nature-based therapies, discusses the integration of these approaches with EMDR. She emphasizes the importance of looking through the lens of body-mind connection and nervous system regulation when working with clients. Katie highlights the significance of incorporating somatic awareness and the use of sensory resources in EMDR sessions, whether inside or outside. She also explores the therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature, which can provide a sense of safety, predictability, and secure attachment. Katie offers various trainings, including a nine-month somatic trauma training and nature-based courses for therapists.
Exploring the Blend of Somatic and EMDR Therapies
Katie Asmus shares her journey as an individual and a clinician, highlighting the blend of somatic therapy and EMDR. She discusses how her early study of Peter Levine's somatic experiencing and her work in the wilderness led her to focus on teaching people about trauma from a body-centered perspective. Katie explains the significance of incorporating somatic awareness and the use of breath and sensation as resources in EMDR sessions. She also emphasizes the importance of pacing and titration to help clients tolerate affect and engage in gradual processing. Katie further explores the integration of somatic work with the EMDR protocol and highlights the benefits of a somatically oriented approach.
Integration of Nature-Based Therapy in EMDR
Katie Asmus explores the integration of nature-based therapy in EMDR. She emphasizes the sensory and grounding aspects of connecting with nature and how it helps clients come into the present moment. Katie discusses the use of imagery, natural objects, and sensory experiences to enhance the therapeutic process. She also shares her experiences of conducting EMDR sessions outside, walking with clients or sitting on rocks, and utilizing the bilateral stimulation of sensory resources found in nature. Katie concludes by emphasizing the healing power of nature and its accessibility as a resource for therapists.
The Normalization of Humanness in Therapy
Katie Asmus discusses the importance of normalizing humanness in therapy. She highlights the need to honor and connect with the wisdom of the body in therapy sessions. Katie explains how integrating somatic therapy and nature-based therapy can bring a sense of safety, predictability, and secure attachment to clients. She emphasizes the significance of sequencing and pendulation in therapy, helping clients move through sensations and engage with the healing process. Katie also encourages therapists to embrace their own humanity and unlearn societal expectations to create deeper connections with clients.