EMDR: Understanding the Nervous System’s Role in Healing
EMDR Therapy
Trauma healing is not just a psychological journey—it is also deeply physiological. One of the most powerful tools for understanding how trauma affects the body is Polyvagal Theory, a concept developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. When integrated with EMDR therapy, this knowledge enhances our ability to regulate emotional responses, create safety in the therapeutic process, and foster deep healing.
What Is Polyvagal Theory?
Polyvagal Theory expands our understanding of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which traditionally includes two branches: sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest). Dr. Porges introduces a third, evolutionarily newer branch: the ventral vagus nerve, part of the parasympathetic system.
The ventral vagus is responsible for promoting social engagement, emotional regulation, and a sense of safety and connection. When this system is activated, individuals feel grounded, connected, and more able to engage with others.
The Three States of the Autonomic Nervous System
According to Polyvagal Theory, the ANS can shift between three states depending on how safe or threatened we feel:
Ventral Vagal (Safe and Social)
You feel calm, connected, open, and engaged.Sympathetic Activation (Mobilized)
You feel anxious, angry, or ready to fight or flee.Dorsal Vagal Shutdown (Immobilized)
You feel numb, disconnected, depressed, or frozen.
Understanding these states helps therapists and clients identify where in the nervous system they are functioning—and tailor interventions accordingly.
Breath and Body: Regulating the Nervous System
The ventral vagus nerve plays a key role in regulating the body’s arousal states through its influence on the heart and lungs. Deep breathing, meditation, and grounding techniques can activate this system and help the body return to a state of calm and safety.
Therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be even more effective when the client is in a regulated ventral vagal state. This allows clients to stay grounded while processing traumatic memories, leading to a more successful outcome.
How Polyvagal Theory Enhances EMDR Therapy
By integrating Polyvagal Theory into EMDR, therapists can more effectively:
Track and assess shifts in arousal throughout the session
Use grounding techniques to stabilize clients before and during trauma processing
Support a return to regulation if the client enters fight, flight, or freeze states
Promote co-regulation between therapist and client through eye contact, voice tone, and relational presence
Polyvagal-informed EMDR therapy is trauma-sensitive, body-aware, and built on creating safety. This model ensures that trauma processing doesn’t re-traumatize, but instead helps clients move forward from a place of empowerment and connection.
Conclusion: Safety is the Foundation of Healing
The connection between Polyvagal Theory and EMDR therapy highlights a profound truth: healing happens when we feel safe. Understanding how the nervous system operates enables both therapists and clients to work with the body, not against it. By activating the ventral vagus nerve through breathing, grounding, and relational connection, clients can more effectively reprocess trauma and build a sense of calm, safety, and resilience.
📞 Ready to take the next step in your healing journey?
Schedule a consultation today and explore how EMDR therapy—grounded in the science of safety—can support your recovery from trauma.