Somatic Therapy

Somatic Therapy

When we experience trauma in our lives, the effects can impact not just our emotions and psyche but the very cells in our bodies. Healing from major trauma in life, either a single traumatic incident or the effects of prolonged trauma or abuse, may require a specific type of treatment: Somatic Therapy.

Somatic Therapy is a newer approach to healing from life trauma. It’s a form of psychotherapy that addresses the connection between mind and body, including the physical sensations and bodily experiences produced by emotional or trauma responses. The goal of somatic therapy at Lotus Wellness Center is to help you become more aware of how your emotions manifest in your body and how trauma and other major experiences may affect your entire being.

At Lotus Wellness Center, we have 10 years of experience providing therapy. We take a holistic, mind-body approach to helping you heal from trauma. We implement custom strategies to help you understand the emotions that accompany trauma and change and how your body may physically respond to the stressors. Somatic Therapy is an innovative approach that can complement other forms of therapy, like CBT or talk therapy. Call us today to learn more about our therapy options and work with a counselor to develop the right treatment plan and approach to help you heal.

What Is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy focuses on how emotions appear in the body and how the body holds onto emotions and traumatic events. At the core of this type of therapy is the belief that unresolved emotions or the emotions from traumatic events are “trapped” inside our physical selves.

Somatic therapy encompasses several key principles:

• Embodiment: Emotions are more than abstract feelings; rather, they’re embodied in the physical movements and sensations of the body. Understanding the body’s experience can help you develop insight into your emotions and work through past trauma.

• Mind-Body Connection: There is a direct connection between mind and body, including emotions. Changing in one can produce a change in the other, positive and negative.

• Trauma-Informed: Trauma and suppressed emotions can be “stored” in the body and contribute to physiological conditions or ongoing physical difficulties.

• Regulation and Resourcing: Regulating the nervous system is key to successful somatic therapy. Using grounding techniques, individuals can start to stabilize and delve deeper into suppressed possibly traumatic, emotions.

The Lotus Wellness Center Approach To Somatic Therapy

Our somatic therapists may combine holistic techniques to build a strong bridge between mind and body. These usually include breathwork, mindfulness, deliberate movement, body awareness exercises, or physical movement routines.

Talk therapy typically usually engages just the mind, not the body. Clients talk through their experiences and emotions but may not realize that disturbing behaviors and emotions may physically affect them. Without addressing the physical component of trauma, some people may struggle with healing and health.

Instead of beginning with the mind and emotions, somatic therapy begins healing with the body. In your therapy sessions, you learn how to become more aware and in tune with bodily sensations and develop a better awareness of how emotions may physically manifest. As you move through therapy, you may become more secure in your body and exert more control over the physical expression of your emotions. Then, you can safely explore repressed emotions, memories, and experiences.

Somatic therapy shares many similarities with mindfulness meditation but takes the approach a step further. It teaches you to discern between different emotions, just as mindfulness does, but also understand the sensations those emotions produce in the body. Call Lotus Wellness Center today to get started.

Who Can Benefit From Somatic Therapy?

You may benefit from somatic therapy if you’re struggling with undiagnosed physical pain or discomfort. Your doctor may not diagnose you with a physical condition, yet you experience certain sensations or tension in your face, jaw, back, or neck.

Or, perhaps, you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or another diagnosed mental health condition. You may have symptoms that go beyond the emotional and mental. Often, depression and anxiety-related disorders manifest physically as well as emotionally. Holistic healing includes exploring this mind-body connection. Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with a mental illness, you may benefit from the somatic treatment of grief, intimacy or trust issues, or self-esteem concerns.

For example, chronic anxiety can result in persistent muscle tension and discomfort, leading to pain and difficulties in daily activities. It’s akin to having one’s foot constantly pressing on a gas pedal—there’s no respite, only ongoing wear and tear on the body. Somatic therapy aims to address these physical manifestations of emotional distress by draining the emotions of their power and providing relief from pain and stress-related symptoms, including disrupted sleep and impaired concentration.

What To Expect From Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy employs various techniques to help individuals release pent-up emotions and reduce physical tension. These methods can range from familiar practices such as acupressure and hypnosis to less commonly known techniques.

For example, body awareness exercises help individuals identify areas of tension and foster calming thoughts. Pendulation involves guiding individuals from a relaxed state to experiencing emotions related to their trauma and then back to relaxation. Titration focuses on processing traumatic memories while simultaneously addressing any accompanying physical sensations in real time. Resourcing helps individuals recall sources of calm and safety in their lives, such as supportive people or comforting places.

If you’re considering somatic therapy, it’s important to know that it focuses on the connection between mind and body to address emotional and physical stress. You may discover that you’re feeling different physical sensations than you’re used to. Many people may feel initial discomfort as they adjust their perceptions and thinking, but this helps them develop more awareness of themselves and become more in tune with their minds and bodies.

We encourage you to consult a qualified therapist who can tailor the approach to your needs and ensure it complements any other treatments you may be undergoing.

How Can Lotus Wellness Center Help You?

Our somatic therapy sessions offer a holistic approach to healing by addressing both the physical and emotional aspects. We help you learn valuable tools and techniques to deal with various psychological conditions, focusing on relieving bodily tension and enhancing overall well-being.

Please call Lotus Wellness Center today for a confidential, compassionate evaluation from one of our somatic therapists, and learn how this innovative therapy can complement your mental health treatment plan.