Somatic Work
Somatic therapy approaches are a form of therapy that is body-centered and observes the body-mind relationship. The word soma means “body”. Like other forms of therapy, somatic approaches may involve talk, however the therapy is a body-oriented approach. Unlike cognitive approaches, which may focus on thoughts and cognitions, somatic treatment focuses on the body and how emotions and sensations show up in the body. Our bodies, not just our brains, hold onto the stories and the experiences we have been through, including traumatic events. Somatic therapy can help clients to process these events, providing a release from events or emotions that are “trapped” or “stuck” in the body/nervous system. In somatics, we use body awareness and movement to improve our mental health.
Somatic approaches might include: learning how to be aware of body cues/sensations that are connected to mental health concerns, listening to the body, giving language to body sensations, breathing techniques, postures/gestures, grounding, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, boundary exploration, pendulation and titration, resourcing through the body, and repatterning the body through movement. Somatic approaches can be used to release stress or “pent-up” emotions in the body. It can also be used to heal trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, body image concerns, disordered eating, chronic pain, ADHD, grief and loss, and other mental health concerns.
Because we all have a body, there is a place for everybody in somatic therapy approaches. How we live IN our bodies can make a big impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Clients who are drawn to a more holistic approach to their therapy may find that somatic therapy approaches are more suited to them than other traditional forms of talk therapy. Many clients discover through somatic therapy that their body is intuitive and has the innate ability to heal itself. Clients learn to trust the wisdom of their body and create a new safety and calmness in their own body. Other benefits include enhanced emotional regulation, improved attachment in relationships, improved chronic pain, improved mood & self-esteem, improved relationships, stronger self-awareness, improved relationship to the body/reduced body dysmorphia, management of depression and/or anxiety symptoms, and tools to manage experiences.
