Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy is a body-oriented therapeutic approach that focuses on healing at the level of our physiology, moving beyond a cognitive understanding of our experiences and expanding our capacity to be with our feelings and sensations. This approach honors the wisdom of our bodies and aims to resolve symptoms of stress and trauma that become “stuck” (in the body) and result in chronic states of hyper-arousal such as a fight or flight response and/or hypo-arousal such as a freeze response when we are overwhelmed to the point of shutdown or numbing.
This compassionate integrative approach is focused on restoring a felt sense of safety and recovering the natural equilibrium of the nervous system. It can help increase our range of resilience to respond to stress with greater choice, feel more connected and alive in our relationships, and experience a sense of ease in our bodies. If you have struggled to find relief with traditional talk therapy or you’re curious about the wisdom of your body, this might be a supportive fit.
We utilize an integrative model that weaves together traditional evidence-based approaches with modern perspectives drawn from neuroscience and neurobiology, polyvagal theory, attachment theory, somatic psychology, and traumatology.
holistic mental wellness
Somatic Therapy
what is it?
Our entire being operates through systems and these systems are interconnected. So, just as trauma leaves its mark on our minds it also impacts our physical body as well. Somatic Therapy focuses on the completion of self-protective motor responses to the release of “stuck” survival energy that becomes stored in the body.
how does it work?
We will conduct an initial intake session to ensure alignment of therapeutic goals and focus. From there we will create an individualized plan, including Somatic Therapy interventions most relevant to your healing journey.
Typical session
We will briefly discuss recent experiences thoughts, and feelings. With a specific focus in mind, we will then move into body-tracking, following body impulses especially those that are defensive or protective. We’ll move in and out of feeling difficult sensations while taking frequent pauses to ground. Sessions range from 50 minutes in length.
The Benefits
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Process Trauma
We have more evidence than ever that our bodies serve as a home for our traumatic experiences. Talk Therapy, while supportive, sometimes is not enough (for some individuals) to dive beneath our conscious awareness and into the trauma stored in the body. Somatic Experiencing supports clients as they begin to understand and befriend their body's response to trauma and work through a “body-first” approach to healing.
To learn more, here’s our blog post about the impacts of trauma on our mind and body.
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Nervous System
Many individuals who have experienced trauma live with a chronically dysregulated nervous system. This might mean constant hyperactivity (fight-or-flight response) or frequently moving through shut-down (freeze.)
Somatic Therapy helps us not only understand the “why” behind our nervous system response but also that our nervous system has been trying to protect us all along. As we work with the body, we can change the conversation with our nervous system, engaging in compassionate, bi-directional communication.
To learn more about the nervous system, click here.
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Release Symptoms
We carry our experiences with us and at some point, they begin to feel heavier than we can manage. Somatic Therapy has been shown to have a positive impact on both individuals with and without trauma, reducing affective (emotional) and somatic (body-based) symptoms (Kuhful, M., Maldei, T., Hetmanek, A., & Baumann, N., 2021).
You deserve healing. You deserve peace. You deserve relief.