Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy is a holistic approach to treat mental and emotional health that focuses on the connection between the mind and body. It is based on the understanding that our life experiences, especially those involving stress or trauma, aren’t just held in the mind but also stored in the body.
Unlike traditional talk-therapy, somatic therapy takes a “bottom-up” approach to healing. This means starting with the body to explore how it holds onto and expresses painful experiences that can shape our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Somatic therapy helps release or reorganize the past stress or trauma that may be negatively impacting your physical and emotional well-being in the present. By using different body-based techniques and practices, somatic therapists can help you discover how painful experiences are held and expressed physically, supporting healing through the integration of body and mind.

“In order to effectively negotiate and heal trauma, we must learn to ‘dance’ with our internal sensations, allowing the body to speak in its own language. Through heightened awareness of the felt sense- the body’s internal landscape- we can begin to gently track and release the survival energy bound in the nervous system. This process brings a return of dynamic equilibrium, wholeness, and a sense of belonging in our own skin. The healing of trauma is, fundamentally, a restoration of aliveness.”
– Peter Levine, In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness

Somatic therapy may benefit you if you struggle with:
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• Mood Dysregulation
• Trust and Intimacy Issues
• Self-Esteem Problems
• Existential Despair
• Grief
• Chronic Pain
• Addiction
• Sexual Dysfunction

What to expect in a somatic therapy session:

Somatic therapy sessions begin by orienting to the present moment and tuning into what’s happening in your body, without judgment. This approach is body-centered and focuses on how the painful stories of the past live in your body today. Telling your story is powerful, and somatic therapy invites you to also notice the physical sensations, emotions, and patterns of tension or activation that arise as you share- creating space for deeper integration and healing. You’re always in charge of the pace. We’ll work together to create safety and stay grounded as we explore your body’s signals. You may be guided through gentle techniques like breath awareness, grounding exercises, mindful movement, or imagery as you explore your body’s sensations. The physical sensations you notice can offer valuable insight into how your body has learned to respond to stress, trauma, and emotion.

If you’ve tried traditional talk therapy before and struggled to see lasting results, somatic therapy may benefit you. Somatic therapy addresses the physiological manifestations of your distress, teaching you how to relate to intense emotions and sensations with a new found awareness. As Bessel Van Der Kolk says, “Body awareness puts us in touch with our inner world, the landscape of our organism.” It is this sense of our inner reality that forms the foundation for feeling safe and at home in one’s body.

Resources:

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.

Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine & Ann Frederick

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-somatic-therapy-202307072951