What Is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy, a distinctive form of alternative mental health treatment, delves into the intricate connection between the body and the mind, with a particular emphasis on addressing trauma and stress-related disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This innovative approach contends that the body physically stores and expresses deep emotional and painful experiences, making it essential to address these somatic manifestations to release tension, trauma, and stress. The overarching objective of somatic therapy is to reconfigure one’s responses to trauma, rendering them less likely to trigger overwhelming reactions.

Therapists well-versed in somatic therapy employ a diverse range of techniques to mitigate the body’s stress responses. These methods encompass breathing exercises, meditation, massage, visualization, and various forms of movement or touch. The result is a comprehensive therapeutic approach that not only engages the mind but also harnesses the wisdom of the body.

Types of Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy offers several distinct approaches, each tailored to address specific aspects of trauma and stress. Here are some of the most common forms:

1. Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing centers on resolving the physical manifestations of accumulated stress, shock, and trauma within the body. During sessions, individuals learn to safely release pent-up bodily sensations, diminishing their potential to act as triggers.

2. Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR therapy prompts individuals to revisit traumatic experiences in controlled doses while concentrating on external stimuli, such as side-to-side eye movements. The objective here is to facilitate psychological healing in much the same way the body recovers from physical trauma.

3. Hakomi

Hakomi therapy employs mindfulness as a core technique, emphasizing an awareness of one’s internal state and surroundings. Maintaining a state of mindfulness throughout the session enables clients to recognize and work with emotionally charged material.

4. Neurosomatic Therapy

Neurosomatic therapy delves into the hidden sources of tension and physical pain residing within the nervous system, skeletal structure, and soft tissues. Massage, posture work, and specific exercises are employed to release and heal this tension and discomfort.

5. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor therapy amalgamates principles from psychotherapy with techniques derived from the Hakomi method. This unique approach allows individuals to revisit traumatic events and, crucially, rewrite their endings, fostering a sense of closure.

Benefits of Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy primarily aims to help individuals who have undergone trauma or distressing experiences to re-establish the connection between their body and mind. Advocates of this therapy argue that trauma is not solely the result of the traumatic event itself but is exacerbated by the overwhelming impact it has on the nervous system. Somatic therapy offers a means to release this trapped trauma from the nervous system, thereby alleviating associated negative emotions such as hyper-vigilance and overreaction.

While research on somatic therapy remains somewhat limited, a study has demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety and somatic symptoms among individuals engaging in this form of therapy. Furthermore, these improvements appear to persist over several years.

Applications of Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals grappling with a range of mental health challenges. It is often used to help those dealing with:

• PTSD
• Trauma
• Grief and loss
• Addiction
• Anxiety
• Depression
• ADHD

This versatile therapy strengthens the mind-body connection, builds resilience, and equips individuals with the tools to navigate and cope with negative thoughts and emotions.

How Somatic Therapy Works

Somatic therapy is a dynamic and evolving field, encompassing a wide array of techniques and approaches. Here are some of the common techniques employed to help individuals identify and connect their physical sensations, emotions, thoughts, and feelings:

Breathwork

• Breathwork involves intentional breathing to heighten awareness of the body and facilitate self-regulation. It bridges the gap between the physical act of breathing and the mental focus required to enhance one’s connection to their body.

Body Awareness

• Recognizing and identifying areas of tension within the body is a crucial step in releasing stored trauma. Body awareness allows individuals to pinpoint sources of discomfort and begin the process of healing.

Grounding

• Grounding entails deepening one’s connection to both the body and the Earth. By focusing on the sensation of one’s feet on the ground, grounding is believed to calm the nervous system, fostering a sense of stability.

Titration

• Titration involves recalling traumatic memories and monitoring the physical changes occurring within the body during this process. It enables individuals to address these changes as they unfold, aiding in the release of pent-up trauma.

Pendulation

• In pendulation, therapists guide clients from a relaxed state to one reminiscent of the trauma they experienced, then safely back to relaxation. This technique aims to empower individuals to reach a relaxed state independently.

Touch or Massage

• Touch and massage directly stimulate the autonomic nervous system, expediting the healing of stress and traumatic experiences that have been stored within the body’s tissues.

The Efficacy of Somatic Therapy

Though research on somatic therapy is somewhat limited, existing studies suggest its effectiveness in treating PTSD and trauma-related disorders. Reviews have indicated that somatic experiencing can significantly reduce traumatic stress and affective disorders while enhancing overall quality of life. Moreover, somatic therapy is versatile and can be seamlessly integrated with other therapeutic modalities.

Multiple studies have demonstrated the positive impact of somatic therapy, with significant proportions of individuals no longer meeting criteria for PTSD diagnosis after engaging in somatic approaches to treatment. Techniques like grounding and touch have been particularly instrumental in achieving these outcomes.

Risks and Side Effects

It’s important to acknowledge that any therapy involving touch or intimate engagement carries inherent risks. These risks encompass the potential for misinterpretation of touch, re-traumatization, regression, and abuse. Given the sensitive nature of this therapy, caution is advised, particularly when working with individuals with a history of trauma.

Re-traumatization can prolong the pain and suffering resulting from the original trauma, emphasizing the need for therapists to proceed with care. Additionally, there’s the risk of regression, where therapy may inadvertently foster dependency on the therapist, leading to an unhealthy dynamic resembling a parent-child relationship.

Conclusion

Somatic therapy represents a holistic and innovative approach to healing from traumatic and distressing events, reestablishing the vital connection between the body and the mind. By focusing on bodily sensations and emotions tied to challenging memories, somatic therapy equips individuals with tools to heal, cope, and achieve a greater understanding of the physical manifestations linked to their experiences. While research continues to explore the full scope of its benefits, somatic therapy has already shown promise in significantly improving the lives of those who have suffered trauma. However, therapists must exercise caution and sensitivity when applying this approach, particularly with individuals who have a history of trauma, to minimize potential risks.