Somatic Psychotherapy

What is Somatic Psychotherapy?

Somatic psychotherapy is an umbrella term referring to a range of evidence-based approaches to healing trauma and stress that helps individuals listen to the wisdom of their bodies. It includes approaches such as Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, AEDP, and mindfulness.

Unlike traditional psychotherapy that deals primarily with “top-down” experiences of the mind, somatic psychotherapy (also referred to as body-oriented psychotherapy) is more holistic in nature, factoring in “bottom-up”, felt experiences in the body to the overall therapeutic approach. Somatic psychotherapy helps to focus on sensations in the body and provide the following benefits:

• brings moment-to-moment, mindful awareness to what is happening in the body

• build resilience to changing levels of distress

• helps you get to the root of what’s causing your distress

• help you process change on a neurological level

• increases your capacity to experience ease and well being

Who Can Benefit From Somatic Psychotherapy?

Somatic psychotherapy is particularly effective for people with PTSD, complex, developmental trauma, chronic health conditions, ADHD and those who identify as highly sensitive persons. It is also beneficial for people who found talk therapy wasn’t enough to address their emotional or psychological challenges. 

Body-oriented psychotherapy helps people feel safer, calmer and more regulated in their nervous systems. By tapping into the mind-body connection, people can trust in their bodies' inner healing wisdom and begin laying the groundwork for lasting and meaningful change.

How Does Somatic Psychotherapy Work?

Somatic therapy is a collaborative process during which a therapist guides you to feel more present in your body. This inquiry will support mindful awareness of your body’s innate capacity to self-regulate and heal with the attunement of your therapist. You will also develop somatic resources like progressive muscle relaxation, grounding and breathing techniques to help your nervous system feel calmer and more regulated. The goal of somatic therapy is for you to learn how to feel safe in the body so you can move from surviving to thriving.

Somatic therapies offer a range of evidence-based approaches that help people overcome trauma, distress, and negative core beliefs. It can yield breakthroughs in your mental health that may be difficult to achieve with talk therapy alone. Over time, you can unlock the emotional, psychological and even physical pain that is keeping you stuck and help you to experience greater presence, joy and connection in your life.