How Somatic Therapy Facilitates Healing
What is Somatic Therapy? A Guide to Healing Through the Body
As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner-in-Training, I frequently integrate somatic therapy into my work with clients. Somatic therapy is a body-based approach to healing that recognizes the body as a gateway to your inner wisdom, power, and emotional recovery. To quote J. Cole, “The only revolution starts right inside of you”—this revolution begins in the body. Somatic Experiencing® (SE™), created by Dr. Peter Levine, is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and heal from stress and trauma by focusing on the body's sensations and responses. where they may feel "stuck" in their recovery from traumatic experiences.
The Science Behind Somatic Therapy
Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) is grounded in Dr. Peter Levine’s observations of animals in their natural habitats. Levine noticed that although animals frequently encounter threats, they rarely show signs of trauma. This is because they have the ability to release traumatic energy through their body, preventing trauma symptoms from taking hold. As mammals, humans share this biological capacity. Somatic therapy works by assisting individuals in processing stress and trauma that may be "stuck" in the body.
Somatic therapy focuses on helping individuals connect with their body's sensations to release trapped trauma and stress. The approach encourages the completion of self-protective motor responses (such as fight or flight) that were never fully expressed during a traumatic experience. By gently guiding clients through bodily sensations and suppressed emotions, somatic therapy helps regulate the nervous system, promoting emotional stability and overall healing.
Key Benefits of Somatic Therapy for Healing
1. Increased Body Awareness
Somatic therapy enhances individuals' ability to tune into bodily sensations, which can provide valuable insights into how emotions and stress are physically manifested. This increased body awareness is crucial for understanding how trauma impacts both the body and mind.
2. Development of Self-Regulation Skills
One of the core benefits of Somatic Experiencing is its ability to teach individuals how to manage their physiological responses to stress and trauma. By learning to self-regulate, individuals gain greater emotional stability and reduce the risk of re-traumatization.
3. Strengthening Inner Safety and Resilience
Somatic therapy empowers individuals by helping them gain control over their physical and emotional states. This process promotes resilience, strengthens inner safety, and fosters a sense of personal empowerment, allowing individuals to heal from trauma and stress at a deeper level.
4. Release of Stored Tension
Chronic stress and trauma often lead to physical tension and muscle tightness. Somatic therapy works by identifying and releasing this tension, promoting physical relief and aiding in emotional healing. This release of stored tension is a key part of addressing both the emotional and physical symptoms of trauma.
5. Facilitating Emotional Processing
Through the connection of bodily sensations and emotional experiences, somatic therapy helps individuals process deep-seated emotions. This mind-body integration supports a holistic healing journey that addresses trauma on all levels—emotional, physical, and psychological.
6. Increased Mindfulness and Presence
Somatic therapy fosters mindfulness by bringing attention to bodily sensations. This increased focus on the present moment supports mental health and well-being, reducing feelings of anxiety and promoting emotional balance.
Let’s talk about Somatic Psychotherapy. If you’re interested in Somatic therapy, a great place to get started is a free consultation to talk about what it’s like to work together and see if we’re a good fit. Contact me today to schedule a free phone consultation; I look forward to connecting!
Waking the Tiger by Dr. Peter Levine