What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic Experiencing or “Somatic Therapy,” is a type of therapy which focuses on the underlining psychophysiological experiences of the mind body relationship. Instead of traditional talk therapy, which focuses on understanding thought, cognition and meaning. Somatic therapy hopes to integrate the ‘felt experiences,’ into the treatment of the mind, body and spirit. Somatic Therapies address physical injuries, grief, trauma, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain through various techniques highlighting the bodies natural intelligence.
My Body is My Home For the World to Experience
Somatic Therapy focuses on restoring self-regulation through the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is the bodies control system. The Autonomic Nervous System is a main controller in the bodies signals between the brain, heart and the immune system. It can upregulate hormones, feel good chemicals, heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, eyesight and more. In the science of Psychoneuroimmunology, we understand that oxidative stress that is developed through childhood trauma or trauma can permeate in the body and cause damage to our internal organs including our mind. All children face and experience moments of diversity and adversity. While trauma may be very significant the impact of a traumatic event can be buffered by pro-social support figures. However, when the trauma is prolonged and severe enough, the impact can be deeply distressing and cause chronic injury. Among these are children faced with contributing social determinants of health including those who are sent to social services, those living in low socioeconomic conditions and those in chronically violent/ hostile environments.
When we experience trauma, we are exposing ourselves to higher rates of inflammation and thus increasing the likelihood of participating in behaviors that lead to chronic disease: addiction, lack of sleep, lack of physical exercise.
Somatic Therapy helps to thwart this process by allowing individuals to heal the devastating effects of trauma and learn to reintegrate into the world again.
Somatic Therapy and Trauma
Somatic Therapy helps to release stuck instances of trauma in our nervous system, which is key to transforming our physical and psychological symptoms. Somatic Therapy allows for a clinician to assess whether or not a person may be stuck in fight, flight or freeze and offers a framework for healing through those dimensions. A core attribute of the PTSD experience is nervous system overwhelm. When you experience something that you may perceive as a threat, your body moves into survival mode in order to protect you. Somatic Therapy helps to calm the nervous system down enough to begin processing and regulating the data it is perceiving in every day without consistent activation.
Somatic Therapy for Depression
Somatic therapy can be helpful for depression because it focuses on the connection between the mind and body. Depression often involves physical symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle tension, and changes in appetite or sleep patterns, in addition to the emotional symptoms of sadness, hopelessness, and low self-esteem.
Somatic therapy can help individuals with depression by providing techniques and interventions to help them connect with and release the physical tension and emotional distress that may be stored in their bodies. Somatic therapy can also help individuals become more aware of their bodily sensations, which can help them recognize and manage the physical symptoms of depression.
Additionally, somatic therapy can help individuals with depression build resilience and improve their overall well-being. By incorporating mindfulness, movement, and breathwork practices, somatic therapy can help individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness and self-care, which can be crucial in managing depression and preventing relapse.
Overall, somatic therapy can be a valuable addition to traditional talk therapy or medication for individuals with depression, as it provides a holistic approach to healing that addresses both the mind and body.
What are Somatic Therapy Techniques?
Somatic therapy includes a range of techniques and interventions that aim to help individuals connect with and release physical tension and emotional distress stored in the body. Some common somatic therapy techniques include:
Body awareness: This involves learning to pay attention to bodily sensations, such as tension, pain, or relaxation, in order to better understand and manage emotions and stress.
Breathwork: Various breathing techniques can be used to calm the nervous system, regulate emotions, and increase body awareness.
Movement therapy: This can include a variety of physical movements, such as yoga, dance, or other forms of exercise, that help release physical tension and promote emotional healing.
Touch therapy: This involves the use of touch or massage to release tension, promote relaxation, and increase body awareness.
Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment, often through breath awareness or body scanning, to increase awareness of bodily sensations and promote relaxation.
Imagery and visualization: This involves using guided imagery and visualization to access and process emotions and experiences stored in the body.
Expressive arts therapy: This involves using creative arts, such as drawing, painting, or writing, to explore and express emotions and experiences.
These techniques can be used individually or in combination with one another to provide a personalized approach to healing. Somatic therapy is often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, such as talk therapy or medication, to provide a more comprehensive approach to healing.
