Somatic therapy is a form of mental health counseling that explores how the body expresses deeply painful experiences, applying mind-body healing to aid with trauma recovery¹. Unlike other mind-body approaches, somatic therapy focuses on the body and how emotions manifest within it. Here are the key points about somatic therapy:

1. Concept and Purpose:

• Somatic therapy posits that our body holds and expresses experiences and emotions.
• Traumatic events or unresolved emotional issues can become “trapped” inside the body.
• The goal is to drain these emotions of their power, relieving pain and stress-related symptoms.

1. Who Can Benefit:

• Disturbing feelings often show up in the body in debilitating ways.
• Somatic therapy can potentially help alleviate conditions such as:
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Complicated grief
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trust and intimacy issues
  • Self-esteem problems

1. How It Works:

• Somatic therapy combines traditional talk therapy with body awareness.
• During sessions, therapists help clients explore memories and emotions while focusing on bodily sensations.
• Techniques may include:
  • Controlled breathing exercises
  • Yoga
  • Dance
  • Grounding methods
  • Gradual reentry into traumatic memories with safe boundaries.

1. Path to Wellness:

• By processing trauma in a safe environment, the body can release stored trauma.
• Learning new ways to relate to memories contributes to overall wellness.

Remember that somatic therapy doesn’t have to be intensely physical right away; some clients may prefer to focus on talk therapy to explore their body’s response to trauma²³. If you’re considering somatic therapy, it’s essential to work with a licensed therapist who specializes in this approach. They can guide you through the process and tailor it to your unique needs.

–mike 🫶

Source: Conversation with Bing, 4/12/2024
(1) What is somatic therapy? – Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-somatic-therapy-202307072951.
(2) Somatic Therapy: Healing Trauma Through Body Awareness. https://growtherapy.com/blog/what-is-somatic-therapy/.
(3) Somatic Therapy: Uses, Benefits, Techniques, Results – Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/somatic-therapy-5216537.
(4) Somatic Experiencing: What It Is and How It Works – Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/somatic-experiencing-5221218.
(5) How Does Somatic Experiencing Therapy Work? – Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-somatic-experiencing-5204186.