What is Somatic Therapy? An Introduction to Healing Through the Body
Through a lot of my bios and explanations of my work, I include that I focus on somatic therapy, which like a lot of things has become a bit of a buzz word in the therapy world.
Here's my take on what somatic therapy is as a trauma therapist who integrates somatic techniques into my work.
“Somatics” is a broad term that focuses on the use of body movement and connection to improve mental health. Somatic therapy is a type of therapy that uses the body to help people heal from trauma and other emotional issues. It can also be referred to as somatic experiencing therapy. Somatic therapy operates off the idea that what happens to you in your life is stored not only in your mind but also in your body.
By focusing on both the physical sensations in your body and the processing of your concerns, it is a holistic approach to therapy. Somatic therapy is about connecting with your body and in fact, you may hear it referred to as "body based" or "bottom up" therapy. Our bodies are not just a vessel for existing, but also hold our experiences, even the things that are not always in our conscious awareness.
Somatic therapy helps to break down the barriers that keep us disconnected by creating awareness, understanding, and compassion for ourselves. When you learn to connect with your body and understand how it is responding, you can not only process the past, but can come into a deeper sense of safety and regulation in the present.
Want to learn more or get connected with some activities to strengthen your mind body connection? Here are a few of my favorite resources I've created that could be helpful!
If you've tried somatic therapy or are a provider who orients from a somatic lens, let me know what you think!
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