Somatic Therapy in San Diego, CA

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.

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holistic mental wellness

Somatic Therapy in Encinitas

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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.

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The Benefits of Somatic Therapy in San Diego, CA

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

 Not sure where to start?
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FAQs About Somatic Therapy in San Diego, CA

  • Somatic therapy in San Diego is beneficial for many individuals, especially those looking to address trauma, stress, anxiety, nervous system dysregulation or chronic pain through a body-centered approach. However, the suitability of somatic therapy depends on each person’s unique needs and comfort level with focusing on physical sensations and emotions within the body. Our therapists in San Diego can help assess whether this approach is right for you through an initial consultation, ensuring it aligns with your healing journey.

  • Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on verbal expression and cognitive processing, somatic therapy in San Diego takes a "bottom-up" approach by emphasizing the connection between the body and mind. Bottom-up processing means that healing begins with the body’s sensations, movements, and physical experiences, rather than starting with thoughts or talking through emotions. By engaging the body first, somatic therapy helps release stored trauma and emotional tension that may be trapped in the nervous system. This allows clients to process feelings not just intellectually, but physically, leading to deeper and more transformative healing.

  • The number of sessions needed for somatic therapy varies depending on the individual and the issues being addressed. Some clients may begin to notice significant shifts after a few sessions, while others may require longer-term treatment to fully process deeper traumas or chronic stress. Your therapist will work with you to determine the right pacing and duration for your specific needs as you engage in somatic therapy in San Diego.

  • Yes, somatic therapy can be seamlessly combined with other forms of treatment, such as traditional talk therapy, EMDR, or mindfulness-based practices. At our practice in San Diego County, CA, our foundational approach is rooted in an integrative lens, where we assess each client’s unique needs and intentionally design a treatment plan using a variety of modalities. By blending somatic therapy with other therapeutic techniques, we create a holistic plan that addresses both the mind and body, supporting our goal of fostering a more balanced, comprehensive, and complete healing experience for each client.

  • The cost of somatic therapy in San Diego can vary depending on factors such as the therapist's expertise and the length of each session. We are happy to discuss pricing during your consultation. Somatic therapy is an approach or style of therapy, rather than a separate service, so it is typically priced similarly to traditional therapy. Our practice is deeply rooted in the mind-body connection and informed by a nervous system-based lens, meaning we integrate varying levels of somatic work into our treatment with most clients.

  • Somatic therapy may be covered by some insurance plans, as it is often billed under traditional therapy services. However, it’s important to confirm your specific coverage with your provider. Our team is happy to assist you in verifying your benefits to determine if your plan includes somatic therapy in San Diego. Additionally, we offer courtesy billing to alleviate the stress of submitting insurance claims yourself. Feel free to ask your therapist for more details on how we can support you in this process.