Moving the body can help heal trauma and strengthen emotional regulation. This expanded course covers the neuroscience and clinical application of bilateral movement techniques, among them bilateral drawing, rhythmic movement, other sensorimotor methods and bilateral stimulation as used in EMDR. Participants learn how bilateral movement engages the brain, calms the nervous system and aids trauma processing for clients with PTSD, anxiety and related conditions. The course looks at eye movements, tapping and auditory stimulation in trauma therapy, and at the benefits of rhythmic activities such as walking, drumming and drawing. Clinicians come away with practical ways to build movement-based techniques into their practice so clients can manage distress, develop emotional resilience and connect mind and body. By the end, participants understand how motion can serve healing and self-regulation in trauma-informed care.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe the neurobiological mechanisms of bilateral movement techniques, including how they influence brain function, nervous system regulation, and emotional processing in individuals affected by trauma.
- Identify at least three bilateral movement-based interventions, such as bilateral drawing, rhythmic movement, and sensorimotor approaches, in promoting trauma recovery and emotional regulation.
- Apply at least three practical, evidence-based bilateral movement strategies within clinical practice to help clients manage distress, enhance self-regulation, and strengthen mind-body integration in trauma-informed care.
Syllabus:
Introduction
Objective 1: Understand the Foundations & Mechanisms of Change
- Explain how trauma impacts the autonomic nervous system and body
- Use client-friendly language to explain and understand the Window of Tolerance
- Summarize how bilateral movements influence the brain (hemispheric integration, amygdala downregulation, prefrontal activation).
- Identify somatic pathways of change, including body-to-brain feedback and memory reconsolidation.
Objective 2: Apply Bilateral and Somatic Techniques
- Demonstrate bilateral breath and movement pairing.
- Guide clients through the butterfly hug technique for grounding and self-regulation.
- Integrate bilateral walking and verbal processing in therapy sessions.
- Facilitate somatic shaking to help clients release tension.
- Adapt rhythmic movement, drawing, and resourcing exercises to different client needs.
- Guided practice
- Practice bilateral breath and butterfly hug techniques.
- Reflect on the client experience of these techniques.
- Discuss applications and adaptations for various populations.
Objective 3: Apply techniques across populations
- Analyze case vignettes to determine appropriate bilateral and somatic interventions.
- Select movement and play-based strategies for children and adolescents.
- Describe the therapist’s role in modeling self-regulation for clients.
Objective 4: Integrate techniques into clinical practice
- Develop a six-session treatment plan incorporating bilateral and somatic strategies.
- Select appropriate interventions from a menu of grounding, stabilization, processing, and closure techniques.
- Use client-friendly scripts to introduce bilateral tools effectively.
- Identify contraindications and implement safety strategies.
- Apply ethical and cultural considerations to body-based interventions.
Objective 5: Evaluate the Evidence Base
- Cite recent empirical evidence supporting bilateral and somatic interventions.
- Apply neuroscience and somatic research to clinical decision-making.
Summary/Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor:Samantha Silverberg-Stout, Ph.D., L.P.C.
Recording Date: September 4, 2025
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com