What is Somatic Therapy: A Gentle Guide Back to Your Body

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a holistic form of therapy that focuses on the connection between mind and body. Rather than focusing solely on thoughts, behaviors or the narrative of what happened, a somatic therapist guides clients in identifying and understanding the messaging their bodies are giving them. This often involves tuning into physical sensations, emotions and experiences that may be “stuck” in the body, then using techniques to carefully move or release them. 

Today, you are likely to hear the term somatic therapy fairly frequently in the mental health world, it’s (finally) having a moment. While this approach is not new, it has been slowly but surely gaining the recognition it deserves for its ability to help to process historical trauma, reduce stress and anxiety, and alleviate all sorts of physical symptoms that have emotional roots. While somatic therapy can be incredibly effective, it is important to consider if it is a good fit for you.  

Is Somatic Therapy Right For You?

While somatic therapy has many benefits, it can also be a bit overwhelming to start to listen to the body for the first time. Most of us were never taught to pay much attention to why our bodies are feeling a certain way or to consider our body trying to communicate with us. Learning to slow down and listen, takes time and care. 

For those who have a history of traumatic experiences, establishing a sense of safety is important before engaging in somatic work. The body often holds onto unresolved experiences, especially when it was not safe or possible to fully process them at the time. When we begin to pay attention to these survival responses, it can sometimes feel like a threat to your system and even trigger traumatic memories. A good somatic therapist will work with you to create foundational safety and work at a pace that feels right for you. 

Somatic work can also be challenging for those struggling with eating disorders or body image concerns. Paying attention to your body, after spending years learning to dislike, distrust or disconnect from it, can feel like a major shift. Over time, with support and practice, it can also be transformational in building a more compassionate, understanding and trusting relationship with your body. 

What is a Somatic Therapy Session Like?

Somatic therapy sessions can take on many different forms, there is no one size fits all approach. In the beginning you can expect some education on the mind-body connection as well as gentle practices to start to attune to your body in a safe and supported way. 

Grounding, breathwork and meditation are common in sessions. I often spend time working with clients on nervous system regulation using these tools as we begin to build familiarity with the body. This allows us to gain more control over our reactions and to safely calm ourselves down when we are triggered. Sometimes, we might use movement, such as swaying, pushing or even stomping the feet as a way to help the body release pent up energy or to complete a survival response. These movements are always guided by what feels safe and supportive for you in the moment, with the goal of reconnecting to your body’s natural wisdom and resilience.

When working with trauma, we may use an approach called “sequencing” to move through the traumatic memory frame by frame. This allows your body the opportunity to stay present, respond differently, or release sensations that may have become “stuck” during the original experience. The focus is always on moving at a pace that feels manageable, respectful, and attuned to your nervous system.

Are You Ready to Try Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a collaborative, intuitive process. It looks differently for each individual and is guided by your unique goals, history and comfort level. Whether you’re looking to manage anxiety, rebuild your relationship with your body, work through trauma or are curious about how physical symptoms may be related to your mental health, somatic therapy offers a way forward. 

If you are curious about how this type of therapy can work for you, I would love to connect. Together, we can explore whether somatic therapy feels like the right fit.