Healing Trauma Through the Body and Brain: How Art Therapy and EMDR Help

How Trauma is Stored in the Brain and Body

When we go through something traumatic, the brain’s alarm system (the amygdala) takes over. It stores the experience as sensory fragments—images, sounds, smells, and body sensations—rather than as a clear story.

The thinking parts of the brain—like the prefrontal cortex—may shut down, and the memory doesn’t get fully processed. This is why trauma often feels like it’s happening “now,” even years later.

Neuroscientist and child trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry explains that trauma can leave the body stuck in survival mode—ready to fight, flee, or freeze.

The Polyvagal Theory: A Key to Understanding Trauma

Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory helps explain how trauma affects the body’s automatic responses. It describes three main states of the nervous system:

When we feel safe, we’re in the ventral vagal state—able to connect, think clearly, and be creative. But trauma can push us into survival states (fight/flight/freeze), where we feel numb, anxious, or disconnected.

Art Therapy: Working With the Body Through the Senses

Art therapy helps people express what can’t be put into words. When someone draws, paints, or sculpts their feelings or body sensations, they’re tapping into the sensory part of the brain—right where trauma lives.

Polyvagal-informed art therapy focuses on safety, rhythm, and sensory experiences to help regulate the nervous system. Examples include:

These interventions help activate the ventral vagal state, where healing can begin.

EMDR: Bilateral Stimulation to Help the Brain Process

EMDR, developed by Francine Shapiro, uses bilateral stimulation—like eye movements, tapping, or tones alternating left and right—to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.

This works by activating both sides of the brain, which helps connect the emotional and logical parts. Research indicates that EMDR can reduce physical stress reactions and help individuals recall difficult events without feeling overwhelmed.

According to Shapiro’s Adaptive Information Processing model, trauma gets “stuck” in the brain. EMDR helps it move and settle into a more peaceful, integrated memory.

Why the Body Matters: A Whole-Person Approach

Both art therapy and EMDR go beyond talk. They work with the body, senses, and nervous system—essential when trauma is stored as sensations rather than words.

Together, they help people:

Putting It All Together in Therapy

A trauma-informed therapist may:

References & Resources