In recent years, psychotherapy has been evolving into continuous innovative and holistic approaches. One such method that is gaining renown is somatic therapy. Somatic therapy is not traditional talk therapy; it separates the cognitive and emotional processes that come together to heal.

The body-mind methodology recognizes trauma stress, along with emotional distress, tends to build up in physical symptoms within the body. Here, the question arises of what somatic therapy offers while therapists focus on which healing steps are needed during this process. This article explores similar questions about somatic therapy and its connection to well-being.

Somatic Therapy Explained

Somatic therapy is a therapeutic approach that joins a couple of standard psychotherapies with pulsive systems to manage psychological issues. In addition, Somatic Therapy can help one recover from trapped emotions by working through bodily sensations, movements, and breathwork; individuals can release stored trauma and achieve emotional healing.

The therapy effectively helps treat people who have PTSD or experience depression and anxiety, and display physical pain with unidentified medical causes. This can also work to address emotional dysregulation.

Somatic therapy is established in neuroscience and stems from the work of psychology, mindfulness, and bodywork. This therapy acknowledges that traumatic experiences do not usually go through cognitive processing and get stored in the nervous system as chronic stress and numerous physical ailments.

The Role of a Somatic Therapist

A somatic therapist is an educated practitioner who works with people to reconnect to their bodies and release trauma stored in them. This role is multifaceted, encompassing the use of body and breath, mind and body awareness, trauma release, processing of emotional moments, movement and breath, and helping clients heal and become more resilient in the long term. Somatic therapists enable clients to be safe and rooted in their bodies and teach them how to control their emotional responses.

This therapy is a form of therapy in which clients can have very emotional and physical reactions in sessions, and trust is needed. Patients are taught mindful exercises, guided breathing, and gentle movements to have a deeper relationship with their physical selves.

If trauma gets caught in the body, it can present as chronic pain, tension, or the very real distress of an emotional kind. Grounding exercises, body scanning, or movement therapy are some techniques somatic therapists use to release this stored energy. These techniques offer some social regulation of an overreactive, fight-or-flight part of our nervous system and help to de-escalate into a more regulated, relaxing state.

The somatic therapist will work with you to get rid of your feelings by teaching you where they are stored in your body and then going through them by talking and doing physical exercises.

Breathing techniques and movement therapies, such as yoga, tai chi, and dance therapy, are all possible somatic therapy sessions. They govern the nervous system, raise body awareness, and allow emotional release.

Understanding Somatic Disease

Somatic disease is what is called physical symptoms that come from emotional or psychological distress, not a clear medical condition. There are so many connections between this disease and the mind.

Somatic diseases can also cause some medical issues, such as chronic pain, tension headaches, migraines, gastrointestinal problems such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), muscle tension, fibromyalgia, and cardiovascular manifestations such as palpitations and high blood pressure.

If they have emotional triggers that may be causing their physical symptoms, then somatic therapy is an option for treating them.

Techniques Used in Somatic Therapy

Many somatic therapists use different methods to assist clients in processing the trauma and relating it to their bodies. Clients are also taught to be present at the moment and connect with their surroundings. The techniques involve deep breathing, sensory awareness exercises, and focusing on physical sensations such as feeling the feet on the ground.

They scan the body of the clients to find out where they are tense or uncomfortable. It is a practice that can help understand where the stress and trauma are stored physically. Another approach to titration is to have clients exposed to a gradually increasing amount of traumatic memories or sensations in a controlled way to prevent emotional discharges.

Stretching, Yoga, or Tai chi supports relaxation and gently relieves stored tension. This method controls the nervous system through conscious breathing, such as diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril breathing, or any other breathing technique, and calms down. Some somatic therapists also employ gestures of therapeutic, safe touch to assist the body in becoming more aware of itself and the healing process.

Who Can Benefit from Somatic Therapy?

A person who has survived trauma and has chronic pain or unexplained medical symptoms can use somatic therapy. Somatic therapy can also help those with high levels of stress or anxiety, those who feel disconnected from their mind and body, or those who want a more comprehensive method of dealing with emotional well-being.

Somatic therapy is also helpful for athletes, performers, and people in high-stress occupations. Regulating bodily responses to stress can improve them. Catharsis therapy is effective for people who are unable to work through past experiences by expressing emotions and for people who have suppressed past emotions.

Furthermore, somatic therapy will be of use to people suffering from conflicts in relationships, low self-esteem, and traumatic events of childhood. In this sense, this therapy would be a mind-body approach, and people can learn to cope more healthily and be more aware of themselves. Somatic therapy helps an individual learn how to regulate emotions, eliminate stress, and cope with daily challenges with the help of features.

Conclusion

Somatic therapy is a strong bridge between mind and body. It provides people with a way to clear stored trauma and stress on a physical level and, hence, attain emotional and psychological balance. However, using somatic therapy is a little difficult since a somatic therapist must lead the client who wants to move on from past wounds and build resilience for the future.

As more people learn about somatic disease and its impact on overall health, more are seeking somatic therapy as an overall approach. If you are angry and resentful about past conflicts or chronically anxious, sad, or worried, this therapeutic approach can help.

At Boomerang Counselling Centre, we can support your process of moving forward in your life. Book a session now at boomerangcc.ca, or reach out with any questions you may have