Why do somatic psychotherapy?
Inviting the body to the healing journey
Somatic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and the body. It is based on the idea that our emotions, thoughts, consciousness, and experiences are all embodied, and that our bodies hold onto and express memories and traumas that affect our capacity and quality of presence, and our overall psychological well-being.
You can read more about somatics on my previous blog post: What is somatics?
The choice of somatic therapy can be particularly beneficial in some specific cases, such as childhood trauma, sexual abuse, severe accidents, being physically attacked, witnessing the death of another person, having ones boundaries violated, among others.
Situations that we identify as trauma tend to generate physical, emotional, and relational symptoms that get substantially better when we involve the body in the process. Ideally you can do this with your therapist.
In the book The body keeps the score, Bessel van der Kolk refers that “Self-regulation depends on having a friendly relationship with your body. Without it you have to rely on external regulation – from medication, drugs like alcohol, constant reassurance, or compulsive compliance with the wishes of others.” Therefore, the connection to our body is an essential step in healing and living a regulated life.
Somatic therapy can be helpful for a variety of reasons, such as:
Healing of trauma: Trauma is often stored in the body, creating physical symptoms such as muscular tension, pain, fatigue, anxiety, overwhelm, depression, dysfunctional relationship patterns, and others. Somatic therapy can help us process and release trauma, leading to a reduction in physical, emotional, and social symptoms, and helping us improve our well-being.
Reduction in physical symptoms: Somatic therapy can help alleviate physical symptoms such as chronic pain, tension, allergies, digestive issues and headaches, by releasing the emotional stress that may be causing them.
Improving emotional regulation: By learning how to identify and regulate bodily sensations, we can better regulate our emotions and respond to stress in healthier ways.
Increasing self-awareness: Somatic therapy can help us become more aware of our body and how they relate to our emotions and thoughts. Increased self-awareness helps us be more conscious of our own needs and boundaries.
Self Regulation: By becoming aware of our body, we get to know what it needs, and how it speaks to us. We learn what it does when it’s dysregulated, and what we can do to bring it back to balance. We also learn what makes it be more likely to stay in balance.
Enhancing mindfulness: As we develop a greater awareness of the present-moment, we reduce stress, we learn to let go of the need to dissociate, and we get to be more present in our own lives.
Improved relationships: By developing a deeper understanding of our own emotional and physical experiences, we become more present in our own body, which improves our ability to connect with others and to form healthier relationships. By being in the present, we can let go of old patterns.
Extended sense of self and of life: By focusing inwards, and getting much more intimate with ourselves, we develop a great sense of who we are. In that process, our understanding of life also expands. We create wider narratives.
As Bessel van der Kolk reminds us, “No matter how much insight and understanding we develop, the rational brain is basically impotent to talk the emotional brain out of its own reality.” - involving the body brings us to our embodied present moment.
Somatic psytherapy can be a helpful approach if you want to feel better, be more present in your life, be more engaged with the world, create good relationships and have community around you. It supports your mental health, and can help you address issues related to trauma, stress, and emotional dysregulation.
If you want to give somatic psychotherapy a try, you can schedule a session with me here.
It will be an honour to walk a part of the path with you.
