Integration of Body Awareness in the EMDR Preparation Phase: An Experiential Workshop With Ready-to-Use Interventions
Manon van der Lee
Abstract
Individuals with complex PTSD frequently present with low tolerance for internal sensations and may become easily overwhelmed by their emotional and bodily states. Within EMDR Preparation Phase (Phase 2), strengthening interoceptive awareness and developing greater capacity to tolerate and regulate affect can significantly enhance therapeutic readiness. As clients build these skills, they are better able to remain within their window of tolerance and more effectively restore regulation when arousal escalates. Emerging clinical evidence indicates that integrating interoceptive and body-based practices within EMDR improves outcomes for people with C-PTSD. This presentation examines the role of body awareness in EMDR Preparation Phase, highlighting how cultivating the ability to notice, interpret, and regulate interoceptive signals supports adaptive processing. By integrating top-down understanding with bottom-up awareness of bodily sensations, movement, arousal, and emotion, clients develop a more coherent and resilient response to traumatic material. Manon will explore the theoretical foundations of a bottom-up approach in EMDR and demonstrate practical, body-based interventions that can be incorporated into Phase 2 preparation. Participants will engage in an experiential component designed to illustrate how embodied awareness enhances affect tolerance and contributes to improved EMDR outcomes for individuals with complex trauma.Biography
Manon van der Lee holds a Master of Arts in body- and movement-oriented psychotherapy and is a clinical supervisor for mental health professionals as well as a registered EMDR practitioner. She is the owner of FNQ Family Therapy. Before entering the mental health field, Manon worked as a sports instructor, where her interest in the mind–body connection first began. She transitioned into psychotherapy in 2005.
With two decades of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, Manon observed that the majority of her clients had been impacted by trauma at some point in their lives. This led her to deepen her expertise in child development, adverse childhood experiences, neurobiology, and attachment and family systems. She has completed additional training in sensory integration therapy, psychology, relationship therapy, CBT, ACT, and EMDR therapy. Manon has undertaken advanced EMDR training, including structural dissociation and EMDR masterclass training. Earlier 2025, she completed EMDR 2.0 training and is scheduled to attend the EMDR 2.0 masterclass in 2026. She has facilitated EMDR intensives and is in the process of transitioning her practice to offer intensives exclusively.