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of the body, well-meaning persons may unin- lationships, and the church rather than live in
tentionally re-traumatize victims with short- isolation. This work seems to fit well with the
sighted directives or simplistic application of command to love God and love others.
Bible verses. Asking someone with a broken leg
to seek more discipleship rather than medical I am privileged to see EMDR bring about life
attention, is analogous to Christians disregar- and connection in parts of a trauma survivor’s
ding the impact of trauma. We as Christians do body that once felt wholly disconnected. Per-
not question the working of the leg in physical sons who dissociated have grown to feel more
therapy, yet we find it far-fetched to consider connected to God in mind, soul, and strength.
the brain’s role in healing from trauma. Reflecting on Jesus’ ministry, I feel at times as
though I am both encouraging others in their
This is unfortunate because research shows that faith and facilitating healing in the body, utili-
emotional and psychological trauma impacts zing EMDR for His glory.
the same part of the brain as does physical trau-
ma (Siegel, 2010). Research also tells us that pa- EMDR is not the be all and end all, just as so-
ying attention to the body’s emotions, thoughts, meone who goes to physical therapy may still
and other internal processes nurtures our abili- have a leg that never quite feels or functions
ty to pay attention to and empathize with others the same. We as Christian therapists are faced
(Siegel, 2010). God designed our bodies for a with balancing science and faith, with Scripture
purpose. Paying attention to our body leads to taking precedence. While there is no reference
deeper connections in community with others. to EMDR in the Bible, this form of treatment
seems to me to be a means of common grace.
Because we are interconnected in body and Like medicines that heal diseases, EMDR points
soul, a careful integration of body and soul is toward life and not death.
crucial to my practice as a certified EMDR the-
rapist. Many people are understandably skepti- Although an effective form of treatment, EMDR
cal because questions remain as to the precise does not eliminate the sanctification process
neurological processes contributing to EMDR’s or life’s suffering, for that matter. The soul still
efficacy. But I would challenge: Must we under- longs for more; it longs for heaven and EMDR
stand all of its components if it spurs others on offers no solution for this internal struggle. In
to whole living? If it is not hindering their faith? that case, it is vital for EMDR to exist alongside
spiritual formation if we as believers are to be
I have often been asked if I talk about Jesus concerned for both body and soul.
when I utilize EMDR with my clients. I respond
to these questions by explaining that it is not un- Reference List
common for the inseparable operations of God Siegel, D. J. (2010). Mindsight: The new science
to appear in imagery as Father, Son or Holy Spi- of personal transformation. New York, NY:
rit in a client’s processing, quite separate from Bantam Books.
anything I have said to integrate spiritual for-
mation into the overall therapeutic experience. van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the
Score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of
I can attest that in my experience utilizing trauma. New York, NY: Viking Penguin.
EMDR, Jesus shows up – even in the deepest
parts of our soul and body. It appears to be the
Trinitarian God moving in the unconscious https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/
parts of my clients as they process their most childabuseandneglect/acestudy/about.html
painful traumas. A client’s story of abuse may
end in Jesus holding them, God reassuring
them they are not alone, or holding hands with
them on a playground. EMDR has given per-
sons the ability to re-engage in community, re-
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