Your mind and body function on the principle that what happens to you stays with you. Somatic therapy also believes that everything that happens to you in your life remains in your mind and body.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a holistic approach that combines psychotherapy with body-oriented modalities to heal your mind, body, and spirit. Practitioners believe your feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and experiences impact your physical health. Practitioners also consider how diet, posture, and exercise affect your mind-body connection. When therapy is conducted in the space of respect and safety, the thought is that the mind and body will begin to heal independently.
Somatic therapists believe past trauma becomes trapped in the body. Your body language (facial expressions, posture) or muscular/joint pain are symptoms of trapped past trauma. Somatic therapy is a supplement to traditional therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy. Somatic practitioners believe that healing for unrevealed emotional topics will occur if you learn to pay attention to your body’s signals. There are benefits to engaging in somatic therapy. Some may experience greater self-awareness, reduce stress, and assess emotional or physical issues.
What Happens in Somatic Therapy?
Traditional talk therapy is effective in targeting emotional and mental health issues. A somatic therapy session typically includes guidance from your therapist to revive your past traumatic memories. As you remember those events, your therapist pays attention to how your body responds. They will ask you to try physical activities like conscious breathwork, yoga, equine therapy, or sensation awareness. A key element of somatic therapy is movement. You can also learn to reflect on your behaviors and how they impact your personal and professional relationships.
When Is Somatic Therapy Used?
A somatic therapy session targets mental health issues and physical illness issues. You may find healthy coping skills if diagnosed with depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, or trauma.
Past trauma may affect your autonomic nervous system, which can create physical issues such as:
- Sexual dysfunction
- Digestive issues
- Hormonal issues
- Tension in specific areas (stomach, head, neck, or shoulders)
As you engage in somatic therapy sessions, you may feel your anger, tension, grief, or depression lessen. As you let go of the pain and stress from past trauma, you will notice that your physical symptoms are decreasing.
What Should I Look For in a Somatic Therapist?
A benefit of finding a somatic therapist is it’s combined with psychotherapy. When you consider starting somatic therapy, look for licensed, experienced therapists with advanced training in somatic therapy techniques. Also, while you’re searching for a therapist, find one who makes you feel comfortable.
Your body remembers experiences long after they occur. As a result, traumatic events can become trapped and manifest in physical issues. Therapists trained in somatic therapy combine traditional therapy with holistic therapies during your sessions. Somatic therapy believes that you can let go of past trauma and stress by addressing the trapped memories through movement and mindfulness practices. Honor your mind-body connection at The Guest House. Our therapists specializing in somatic and other holistic therapies will guide you as you heal. Call us for more information at (855) 483-7800.