Somatic Therapy
What is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy is therapy that holds the fundamental belief that emotions, trauma and experiences are stored within our bodies and utilizes the body in the processing of trauma.
"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk shows how the body harbors trauma long after the mind has attempted to repress or rationalize it. Van der Kolk delves into the intricate ways traumatic experiences become embedded in the nervous system, manifesting in physical symptoms, emotional dysregulation, and cognitive distortions.
Somatic therapy operates on the premise that traditional talk therapy alone may not suffice to address these deeply ingrained traumas. By engaging the body, somatic therapy facilitates the release and processing of stored trauma. Through embodied practices, clients can gradually reclaim a sense of safety and agency, rewiring their nervous system to foster healing and resilience.
Somatic therapy thus offers a holistic approach to trauma recovery, acknowledging the profound interconnection between mind, body, and spirit.
What happens in a somatic therapy session?
Somatic therapy can look many different ways depending on the goal of the client and your level of interoception (your ability to be aware of their bodies internal cues like temperature, muscle tension, heart rate, breathe). Here are a few things that may happen in a somatic session:
Simple check ins like “how is your body doing right now?” Sometimes in session, as you’re sharing something difficult or important, you may be receiving signs of dysregulation (for example: a quickened heart rate). By slowing down and paying attention to the body’s signals, we may change course. This builds somatic awareness.
Interpreting the body’s cues. When the body is signaling to you through a symptom, we may explore what is trying to be communicated. Developing a dialogue with the body in session (and out of session) is part of practicing embodiment — an early step in the process of releasing trauma from the body.
Tending to your body in real time. Once you’ve developed awareness and embodiment, you may begin really understanding what your body needs to feel safe. This is an important step in truly shifting the nervous system. That may look like, pushing your feet into the floor, giving yourself a hug, pausing for a few deep breathes — and a million other ways. We’ll slow down and give these moments time.
Nervous system education. Referencing frameworks like the Window of Tolerance or the Polyvagal Ladder are helpful for us to map how your nervous system and body respond — and thus where we can target our interventions.
Using the body as an inroads for associations. This method is from the Hakomi Institute. By closing your eyes (optional), sensing the body, locating a sensation and focusing on it — something may arise! Like a memory, an emotion, a ‘random’ thought. This method helps the brain step aside and the body lead.
And so much more! Every body is different. Therapy is always customized to your unique journey and needs. There are so many ways to include the body in therapy. We will always check in and ensure you’re comfortable with what’s happening.
What’s are common goals of somatic therapy?
Of course, goals are always customized. But here are some common goals and outcomes:
Increased emotional regulation. Spending more time living in a regulated state of calm, relaxed, enlivened and alert. Less time living in dysregulated state like hyperarousal (anxious, agitated, overwhelmed, irritable, desire to fight or flee) or hypoarousal (shut down, spacey, tired, depressed, frozen).
Increased Body Awareness. Cultivating greater awareness of bodily sensations, needs, and boundaries helps you orient towards situations, relationships and places that are actively nurturing your nervous system rather than depleting it.
Less ‘stuck in your mind’. In our culture, its so common to overindex on thinking. This often feels like racing thoughts, pointless rumination or anxiously reviewing the past or anticipating future. Choosing somatic therapy helps break that cycle and move towards a more balanced mind-body connection.
Reduced tension and pain. Sometimes, pain and tension are stored in our body from a traumatic event that we weren’t able to process at the time. Unlike gazelles, humans freeze and store tension. It’s there and accessible for us to un-freeze and unlock.
Interested in trying somatic therapy? Reach out for a free consultation.
I’d love to hear your impressions of somatic therapy and answer further questions about my perspective and approach to it.