What is somatic psychotherapy?
Somatic therapy is a type of body-centered therapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body. It helps individuals process trauma and emotional pain by working with physical sensations and movements to release stored tension and promote healing. Somatic therapy aims to bring harmony back to your nervous system. Slowing day is key. Bringing mindfulness and flow back to your body can help you not only notice changes within your body, but helps to reset your body’s natural flow within the nervous system along with releasing built-up energy caused by trauma.
Key Principles of Somatic Therapy:
Mind-Body Connection:
Somatic therapy emphasizes that trauma and emotional experiences are not only stored in the mind but also manifest physically.
Grounding:
Involves sensing the body, feeling your feet on the earth, and calming the nervous system.
Cultivating and Deepening Body Awareness:
It involves increasing awareness of bodily sensations and how they relate to emotions and experiences.
Titration & Oscillation:
This refers to a process of experiencing small amounts of distress at a time with a goal to discharge the tension. Titration is achieved by “pendulating” or oscillating attention between feeling the distress and feeling safe and calm.
Tracking:
When somatic tension begins to discharge, we may notice energetic shifts and movements in the body.
Movement:
Somatic therapies tap into our innate healing capacity by inviting us to listen to the story as told by the body. Our postures, gestures, and use of space provide insight into our experience.
Tension Release:
Somatic therapy aims to help individuals release physical tension and stress that may be trapped in the body as a result of trauma.
Emotional Processing and Regulation:
By working with the body, somatic therapy can facilitate the processing of emotions and trauma. When you develop awareness of body sensations you are better able to self regulate and respond effectively to emotional intensity.
