Advancements in Trauma-Focus Psychotherapy

by Dr. Yakov Barton

Over the past few decades, our understanding of trauma and its treatment has evolved dramatically. Trauma is no longer seen as merely a psychological disturbance but as a deeply ingrained experience that lives in the body. When someone experiences a traumatic event, their nervous system can become dysregulated, resulting in long-term emotional, mental, and physical symptoms. Emerging therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) have shown remarkable promise in addressing trauma at this deep, somatic level—where body and mind are intricately connected.

EMDR, developed by Francine Shapiro, revolutionized trauma therapy by using bilateral stimulation—such as side-to-side eye movements or tapping—to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. The theory behind EMDR suggests that trauma causes memories to get “stuck” in the brain’s stress centers, preventing the person from fully processing the experience. The bilateral stimulation, paired with guided focus on these memories, seems to unlock the brain’s natural healing mechanisms, allowing traumatic memories to be integrated rather than repressed. This not only reduces the emotional charge around the trauma but also enables the body to release the stored tension associated with the event.

Meanwhile, IFS, pioneered by Richard Schwartz, focuses on the internal system of “parts” that make up our psyche. Trauma often fragments our sense of self, causing certain parts to take on extreme roles—like the “inner critic” or the “protective” part that shuts down vulnerability. IFS invites the client to engage with these parts, not by suppressing them, but by developing a compassionate, curious relationship with them. When the client can connect with their “Self”—the calm, wise core of their being—these fragmented parts begin to heal. This process directly affects the body, as it helps regulate the nervous system and release the emotional and physical tension trauma creates.

The future of trauma therapy lies in deepening our understanding of how trauma affects the body. As we recognize that trauma is not only a cognitive or emotional event but a physiological one, therapies like EMDR and IFS are opening doors to healing that integrates both mind and body. By working with the nervous system’s inherent capacity for balance and attuning to the body’s stored memories, we are moving toward trauma treatments that offer true resolution