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SOMATIC THERAPY
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DEEPER THAN ORDINARY THERAPY?
Maybe you’ve already done therapy before, but you didn’t make the progress that you wanted. Perhaps you feel stuck in your own head and talk therapy only reinforces the negative thoughts you struggle with. Maybe you want something deeper, something that can help you connect with your body as well as your mind.
If this is the case, then a somatic approach to counselling may be right for you. A somatic approach is perfect for those who may be dealing with issues that lie beneath the surface of conscious awareness. It can help you understand the ways that your body stores emotional pain, which is incredibly liberating if you’ve experienced trauma. After all, the body holds onto trauma in very subtle ways, manifesting in feelings of tension, hyper-alertness, and bodily aches and pains. Somatic therapy, otherwise known as somatic based approaches, is all about digging down and uncovering the root cause of unresolved emotional pain. This allows for deeper, longer-lasting healing than traditional therapy.
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How effective is Somatic Therapy and who can it help?
The mind and body are inextricably linked, which is why this treatment should seek to address both. The advantage that somatic therapy holds over other forms of therapy is that it takes the mind-body connection into account during the healing process. According to the National Library of Medicine, somatic based approaches has a “positive impact on both affective and somatic symptoms” and has been shown to increase well-being for those with trauma. Another study found that somatic based approaches is an effective form of PTSD treatment.
At our practice, we utilize somatic approaches to help people with depression, anxiety, and PTSD stemming from traumatic experiences. We also use it to treat clients with chronic pain, since there are often connections between emotional and physical pain. Anyone who is in distress, unable to connect with the things that once brought them joy, or dealing with difficult relationships can benefit from somatic therapy.
How does Somatic Therapy work
Somatic therapy is guided by the client’s own emotional experiences and insights. The goals vary from one person to another, but in general, the ultimate aim of this approach is to help you become aware of the way that your body stores sensory and emotional patterns and learn how to manage somatic dysregulation better.
Somatic therapy is a modality that encompasses many other sub-modalities, some of which are listed below:
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EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) Therapy - the brain and body have a built-in ability to recover from trauma. EMDR uses gentle bilateral stimulation exercises, such as tapping or side-to-side eye movements, to access the nervous system’s natural healing capacities and lower the emotional charge of traumatic memories
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Brainspotting - This body-based approach operates on the basic premise that “where you look affects how you feel.” Through a series of guided eye movements, Brainspotting can help you observe the emotions and sensations that your body is holding onto so that you can process and release them.
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Breathwork - By concentrating on your breath, you can relax your body and release inner tension. Instead of ruminating on the past or worrying about the future, you can feel grounded and centered in the present moment.
This is hardly an exhaustive list of treatment methods, as somatic therapy is essentially an umbrella term for a wide range of different approaches. Not every modality is suitable for everyone, and sometimes a combination of modalities is what works best. In the end, the goal is simply to come up with a treatment plan that addresses both your mind and body equally and empowers you to become calmer, more regulated, and more prepared to handle life’s challenges.
How can Somatic Therapy benefit your life?
Learning to connect with the body through somatic based approaches can bring a heightened sense of relief for those struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, and many other emotional ailments. You can understand yourself in the way that you were meant to and take actions that help you align with your goals and values. When you are in tune with your body and your emotions, it becomes easier to live from a grounded, centered, and value-driven place. It also becomes easier to respond to life carefully and deliberately instead of reacting based on stress and fear.
Most importantly, somatic therapy provides another avenue for processing trauma besides talk therapy. The beauty of somatic based approaches is that it offers an alternative that is safe and non-retraumatizing. With integrative, body-based approaches like EMDR and Brainspotting, you don’t have to share all the details of your trauma—you can share as much or as little as you’re comfortable sharing.
EXPERIENCE HEALING AND RELIEF IN YOUR MIND AND BODY
We know that standard therapy is not for everyone, and that’s why our practice is proud to offer somatic therapy as an alternative healing method. To learn more about this unique, body-centered approach to counselling, you can email at info@starkwellnessclinic.com or use the contact form to book a free 15-minute consultation.