Somatic therapies are body-centered therapy methods that are psychological. They aim to connect the mind and body, fully acknowledging that emotional and psychological issues can reveal themselves physically. When participating in this mode of therapy, the result you want is to release the tension, the trauma, and the stress a client is storing in their body.
Harvard Health Publishing has published this article, which offers a detailed definition and explanation of this form of therapy.
What are the Main Concepts of Somatic Therapies?
There are four main concepts of somatic therapies, each using specific tools to manage trauma and promote a healthier well-being.
- Mind-Body Connection
Somatic therapies encourage the idea that the body and mind are intertwined and connected. Emotional, traumatic experiences can leave a physical mark on the body, often invisible ones, which can induce chronic pain, tension, or other symptoms like headaches.
- Body Awareness
Body awareness is a crucial component of somatic therapies that must be developed. Patients participating in these therapies are encouraged to focus on muscle tension, heart rate, and breath patterns better to comprehend the relationship between their bodies and emotions.
- Release of Stored Trauma
Another primary focus of these therapies is the release of stress and trauma that one has become stuck in via various techniques.
- Regulation of Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the body’s response to stress. Somatic therapies help move the body from a fight-or-flight state to a more balanced state.
Common Somatic Therapy Techniques
- Breathwork
Use controlled breathing exercises to help you become more aware of your body. This helps reduce stress, regulate emotions, release stored tension, and promote relaxation.
*Bonus: Unmanaged stress can raise your blood pressure. Practicing controlled breathing helps bring it down.
- Body Scanning
Have you ever noticed how your feelings affect you physically? The body scanning technique teaches one to notice areas of tension, where one feels uncomfortable, and other sensations without beating oneself up. It also helps one figure out what emotions or memories are associated with those feelings.
- Movement and Posture
This type of therapy includes gentle movement, stretching, or changes in posture that help you release tension and alter your emotional state. For example, changing your posture from a slouching position to an upright one can improve your mood and energy levels.
- Touch and Bodywork
Sometimes, a somatic therapist will use gentle touch to help their patients become more aware of their bodies. This may include acupressure, massage, or any other form of therapeutic touch.
- Grounding Techniques
These are very effective in helping clients remain connected to their bodies in the present moment and may include using stress balls or other devices to remind them to stay in touch with their bodies.
Somatic Therapy Methods and Their Descriptions
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Somatic experiencing focuses on releasing trauma stored in the body. The practitioner guides patients to experience physical sensations associated with trauma and then processes those sensations in a safe and controlled way. This allows the body to complete the fight-or-flight process that was interrupted during the traumatic event.
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
This type of psychotherapy combines somatic therapy with emotional and cognitive processing or “talk therapy” and helps the patient become more aware of their physical sensations and movements. Becoming more aware of bodily sensations will then be used to evaluate and process unresolved trauma.
- Hakomi Method
This method merges body awareness, mindfulness, and other techniques to help patients discover how their physical experiences relate to their emotional and psychological states in a gentle, compassionate manner.
- Bioenergetic Analysis
This approach merges traditional psychotherapy with physical exercises intending to release muscle tension and promote emotional healing. It brings to light how blocked energy can lead to psychological issues.
- Trauma Release Exercises (TRE)
This is a series of exercises that use the body’s natural shaking or vibrating mechanism to release deep muscular patterns of tension, stress, and trauma. TRE aims to help the body release stored trauma and encourage relaxation.
Benefits of Somatic Therapies
Now that we have a working knowledge of somatic therapies and some of the modalities, you must be wondering about their benefits.
- Trauma Resolution
Somatic therapies address the physical and emotional impacts of trauma in tandem.
- Stress Reduction
Somatic therapies help patients focus on the body to reduce chronic stress and physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, and fatigue.
- Emotional Regulation
Learn to understand your sensations and the emotions connected to them.
- Better Self-Awareness
Patients who participate in somatic therapies will learn to understand their true selves because they gain better-coping strategies that have proven effective for dealing with emotional challenges.
If you are suffering from any trauma, are having trouble regulating your emotions, or have no connection to your body, consider somatic therapy. Somatic therapies will offer you a life-changing road to healing. Learn to reconnect with your body and regain control over your stress to create resilience to negative emotions.
Whether you choose to do this via TRE, breathwork, or mindful awareness, you will learn to safely process and heal from past negative experiences, putting you on a path to lasting well-being. There is no need for trauma to define your future. Reclaim your strength! Rediscover your capacity for joy and embrace the journey with confidence.
