Trauma Therapy: EMDR, Somatic and Brainspotting. How does it work?

Trauma Therapy Explained – Understanding the Brain & Healing Approaches
By Phoebe Hutchison | PLP Solutions

Trauma impacts far more than memory—it changes how the brain and body respond to the world.

When a person experiences trauma, the nervous system shifts into survival mode: fight, flight, or freeze. In these moments, the brain releases adrenaline and prioritises immediate safety—not emotional processing. This means the traumatic event is often not fully processed at the time.

Later, these unprocessed experiences can become “stuck” in the brain. The hippocampus, responsible for filing memories, is disrupted by stress hormones like cortisol, preventing the event from being stored as something in the past. As a result, the body and mind may respond as if the threat is still happening.

This can lead to symptoms such as:

•  Hypervigilance 
•  Sleep disturbances 
•  Flashbacks 
•  Intrusive or obsessive thoughts 
•  Avoidance behaviours (e.g. social withdrawal) 
•  Anger or emotional reactivity 

Because of this, traditional talk therapy can sometimes worsen trauma symptoms. Repeatedly talking through traumatic events may reactivate distressing neural pathways rather than resolve them.

Instead, many trauma-informed approaches focus on processing trauma at a deeper, body-based level:

• Brainspotting – Uses eye positioning to access and release stored trauma in the brain. 
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) – Combines memory recall with bilateral stimulation to reduce emotional intensity. 
• Somatic Experiencing – Focuses on bodily sensations to safely release stored trauma. 
• Somatic Therapy – Integrates mind-body awareness, based on the idea that trauma is held in the body. 
• Gestalt Therapy – Encourages present-moment awareness and emotional processing through experiential techniques. 

Unprocessed trauma can also leave excess energy in the nervous system, contributing to ongoing anxiety and physiological reactions.

It’s important to understand that not all trauma is the same.

• Single-incident trauma (e.g. accidents or assaults) is often more straightforward to process. 
• Chronic or developmental trauma (such as childhood experiences) is more complex and typically requires longer-term support. 

The goal of trauma therapy is not always immediate resolution, but helping individuals better understand their nervous system, reduce symptoms, and gradually regain a sense of safety and control.

May your love for yourself and your life deepen more daily.

Phoebe Hutchison
www.plpsolutions.com.au