Understanding Phase Six of EMDR: The Body Scan – Integrating Healing at the Somatic Level

I’ve learned that true healing requires more than just working through the mind and emotions—it also involves the body. The body holds the echoes of trauma, often storing the pain, tension, and unresolved experiences that are too difficult to process consciously. This is why Phase Six of EMDR—the Body Scan—is so powerful. It is a moment in the process where we begin to connect mind, body, and spirit to fully release trauma and achieve integration.

In Phase Six, we take the progress made in earlier phases—such as Desensitization and Installation—and move to the somatic level, checking in with the body to ensure that healing is complete on all fronts. It’s about making sure that any lingering physical tension, discomfort, or trauma-related sensations are addressed, and that the body and mind are aligned in the healing process.

In this blog, I’ll explain the Body Scan phase of EMDR, why it’s such an essential part of trauma healing, and how it can help clients release the final vestiges of trauma that may be stored in the body.

Phase Six: Body Scan – Releasing Traumatic Residue Held in the Body

By the time we reach Phase Six, clients have typically made significant progress in reprocessing traumatic memories, reducing emotional distress, and installing more adaptive, positive beliefs. In Phase Five (Installation), the positive beliefs have been integrated, and the client is more aligned with their new self-concept. Now, in the Body Scan, the focus shifts to the physical body—the place where trauma often continues to be stored, even after emotional healing has begun.

The Body Scan involves asking the client to mentally scan their body for any residual tension, discomfort, or sensations that may still be linked to the processed memories. These sensations could be subtle—a tightness in the chest, a heaviness in the stomach, or a sense of constriction in the shoulders—or they could be more noticeable, like pain or numbness in a specific area. The goal of this phase is to release any somatic remnants of trauma that may still be held in the body.

What Happens During the Body Scan?

The process of the Body Scan is relatively simple, but it is an essential step for fully processing trauma. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how this phase unfolds:

1. Focusing on the Body

After we’ve completed earlier phases, I’ll guide the client to close their eyes and take a few deep breaths, grounding themselves in the present moment. This helps to shift their awareness from their thoughts and emotions to the physical sensations in their body.

Once the client is relaxed, they are invited to do a systematic scan of the body, starting from the top of the head and moving downward. This may involve paying attention to areas such as the face, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, stomach, back, legs, and feet. The goal is to check in with each part of the body, observing any sensations or feelings that arise.

2. Noticing Sensations

As the client scans their body, they are encouraged to notice any tightness, tension, pain, or discomfort in the body. In some cases, the client may also notice areas of warmth, lightness, or relaxation. These sensations can offer important clues about where the body may still be holding onto unresolved trauma.

It’s not uncommon for a client to experience a physical sensation in a part of their body that they didn’t consciously realize was connected to the traumatic memory. For example, a person might feel a heaviness or tightness in their chest when thinking about a traumatic experience of abandonment, even though they may not have consciously connected the two. This is an important discovery because it shows how deeply the body can store and reflect the emotional impact of trauma.

3. Using Bilateral Stimulation to Release Tension

Once any areas of tension or discomfort are identified, I guide the client to use bilateral stimulation (BLS)—such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones—to facilitate the release of any somatic tension. The bilateral stimulation helps to activate both sides of the brain and promotes the processing and integration of the trauma, not only in the mind but in the body as well.

As the client continues to focus on the area of discomfort, BLS helps to release the stored emotional energy and tension. With each round of bilateral stimulation, the sensation in the body can shift, dissolve, or change in some way. The goal is for the client to experience a sense of lightness, relief, or neutrality in that area of the body.

4. Checking for Remaining Sensations

After completing several rounds of BLS, I ask the client to re-scan their body to see if any areas of tension remain. If any discomfort is still present, we continue the process of bilateral stimulation until the sensation diminishes or resolves. The key is not only to address the emotional memories but also to ensure that the physical experience of the trauma is fully processed.

It’s common for clients to experience shifts in physical sensations, such as a decrease in tension or a shift from discomfort to a feeling of openness or relaxation. These changes are signs that the trauma is being released from the body and that the emotional processing has been integrated at the somatic level.

5. Closing the Session

Once the body scan is complete and any lingering physical tension has been addressed, I guide the client through some final grounding techniques to help them feel centered and present. This might involve deep breathing or gentle movement to ensure that the client feels fully in their body and emotionally regulated before leaving the session.

Why the Body Scan is Essential for Complete Healing

The Body Scan is a vital component of the EMDR process because it allows us to release trauma not just at the cognitive or emotional level, but at the somatic level as well. Trauma is stored in the body as much as it is stored in the mind. Often, when we experience a traumatic event, our bodies respond with a fight, flight, or freeze reaction, which can leave us with lingering tension, pain, or constriction. These physical symptoms may persist long after the event itself has passed, subtly affecting our physical well-being and emotional state.

By incorporating the body scan into the EMDR process, we help to ensure that the entire system—mind, body, and spirit—has healed from the trauma. Without addressing the body’s role in the healing process, emotional healing may be incomplete, leaving the client susceptible to triggers, anxiety, or reactivity when faced with future stressors.

Additionally, the Body Scan helps clients reconnect with their bodies in a gentle, mindful way. For many trauma survivors, their relationship with their body may have been damaged or disrupted by the trauma itself. The Body Scan provides an opportunity to approach the body with care, compassion, and curiosity, which can foster a sense of empowerment and trust in the body’s ability to heal.

The Therapist’s Role in the Body Scan

As the therapist, my role during the Body Scan is to provide support, safety, and validation as the client processes any somatic sensations. I make sure to guide the client through the process at a comfortable pace, ensuring they feel grounded and present throughout the experience. It’s important to check in regularly to ensure that the client doesn’t feel overwhelmed or flooded by the physical sensations, and to provide reassurance and encouragement as needed.

I also help the client stay connected to the positive beliefs or adaptive cognitions that were installed in earlier phases of EMDR. This ensures that the client remains anchored in their sense of strength and resilience, even as they process challenging bodily sensations.

What Clients Can Expect During the Body Scan

Clients may experience a variety of physical sensations during the Body Scan, depending on their trauma history and the degree to which their body has stored tension. Some may feel a release of tension, others may notice a sense of relaxation or lightness, and some may even experience emotional shifts or insight into how the trauma has manifested in their bodies.

It’s not uncommon for clients to feel some discomfort or resistance when first scanning the body, especially if certain areas have been holding trauma for a long time. But with time, and with the use of bilateral stimulation, the body can begin to release that energy and return to a more neutral or calm state.

In Conclusion: The Body Scan as the Final Piece of Trauma Healing

The Body Scan in Phase Six of EMDR is a critical step in the journey of trauma recovery. It addresses the body’s role in holding onto trauma, helping to release tension, pain, and discomfort that may still be lingering after emotional processing. By focusing on the body and using bilateral stimulation to facilitate this release, we ensure that trauma healing is complete, holistic, and deeply integrated.

For me as a therapist, this phase is incredibly rewarding. It’s when the mind-body connection becomes fully aligned, and clients can feel a deep sense of relief and wholeness as they move beyond the physical and emotional residue of their past.

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