Traditional therapy often focuses on our thoughts and emotions, guiding us toward processing past experiences in a safe environment. While this approach is powerful, we’re now learning that trauma isn’t just stored in our minds—it resides in our bodies too. To fully heal, we must address both mind and body, and that’s where somatic psychotherapy comes in.
Somatic psychotherapy is an integrative approach to treating the whole person. By tuning into physical sensations, breathwork, and mindfulness, clients can access deeper healing for trauma, stress, and emotional regulation. Let’s dive into what makes this approach so transformative.
What is Somatic Psychotherapy?
Somatic Psychotherapy is a fairly new trend in therapy. There are great benefits to cognitive approaches to therapy where ideally the client gets a chance to talk freely and gets assistance in processing their thoughts and feelings in a therapeutic environment. We have recently come to understand that we store trauma in our bodies, not just our minds, and in order to successfully dislodge the effects of trauma on ourselves we need to focus more on our bodies and their sensations.
Soma is Greek for “of the body” and thus, Somatic Psychotherapy was born. According to Manuela Mischke-Reeds MA, LMFT, “Somatic Psychotherapy is an integrative approach to treating the whole human being…Somatic psychotherapy is highly effective with trauma-associated symptoms as these are often experienced very physically in the body…Somatic psychotherapy uses mindfulness, body awareness, breath awareness and body-oriented tools to guide the client towards their inner and outer resources to stabilize any dysregulated symptomology.”
This approach is revolutionary because “we live in a disembodied culture.” Some of the approaches in somatic therapy involve body scans, humming, rocking or singing aloud as well as different kinds of breathing techniques.
Why Trauma is Stored in the Body
One of my favorite authors of this approach, Resmaa Menakem, calls what others call the Vagus Nerve, the Soul Nerve, which is not actually a nerve but an organ that connects many vital organs throughout the body from our brain stem through to our stomach or gut. He says that the Soul Nerve is what makes our hearts race, our breathing quicken, and enables us to feel love, comfort, fear, shame: all of our human emotions. One thing our soul nerve doesn’t do Resmaa states is connect with our thinking brain. It activates when we get triggered and provides an automatic response such as the fight, flight, or freeze responses that may have once saved us from danger. At times these responses might still be important or necessary, but many times we may respond from what Resmaa calls the lizard brain, which is simply a triggered response based on our past experience(s). He puts forth that we need to heal individually as well as within groups in our society and society as a whole.
Somatic techniques can be used in all these ways. Somatic therapy approaches have far reaching implications for not just healing us individually but for societal healing, social justice and social change!
Somatic Techniques for Healing
Somatic psychotherapy offers a range of tools to help clients reconnect with their bodies, regulate emotions, and release stored trauma. These techniques include:
- Humming, rocking, or singing aloud to calm the nervous system.
- Breathing exercises to regulate stress and promote relaxation.
- Grounding and mindfulness strategies.
These practices not only heal individuals but have broader implications for creating healthier communities. When we address the trauma stored in our bodies, we take an essential step toward healing ourselves and our society.
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Psychotherapy?
Somatic psychotherapy is particularly effective for individuals dealing with:
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Chronic stress or anxiety.
- Emotional dysregulation.
- Physical symptoms with no clear medical cause, such as tension or pain.
It’s also helpful for those who feel “stuck” in traditional talk therapy and are ready to explore a body-centered approach to healing.
At Avance Care Behavioral Health, we understand that healing requires a whole-person approach. Whether you’re dealing with past trauma, chronic stress, or emotional challenges, our compassionate team is here to support you.
Discover the transformative power of somatic psychotherapy and other evidence-based treatments. Learn more about our services, and schedule an appointment today to begin your journey toward healing and wellness.
Sources:
Menakem, Resmaa, MSW, LICSW, SEP, My Grandmother’s Hands, Las Vegas, NV, Central Recovery Press, 2017
Mischke-Reeds, Manuela, MA, LMFT, Somatic Psychotherapy Toolbox, Eau Claire, WI, PESI Publishing and Media, 2018
