What is Somatic Therapy and How Can It Heal Trauma?

When we experience trauma, it’s not just our minds that are affected; our bodies hold onto that pain as well. Somatic therapy is a therapeutic approach that works directly with the body to release tension, trauma, and stored emotions. By addressing both the mind and the body, somatic therapy offers a holistic path to healing that helps you break free from the past and reconnect with yourself.

In this post, I’ll explain what somatic therapy is, how it works, and why it’s so effective in treating trauma.

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is an approach to healing that focuses on the connection between the body and the mind. The term “somatic” comes from the Greek word soma, which means “body.” Somatic therapy acknowledges that our bodies are not just vessels carrying us through life—they are deeply connected to our emotional and psychological experiences.

Trauma, stress, and negative emotions can become “stuck” in the body, creating physical tension, pain, and discomfort. Somatic therapy uses techniques like breathwork, movement, touch, and guided awareness to help release these stored emotions and trauma from the body.

How Somatic Therapy Can Heal Trauma:

1. Trauma is Stored in the BodyWhen we experience a traumatic event, our bodies often respond with a “fight, flight, or freeze” response. These responses are protective mechanisms, but when trauma isn’t processed fully, the body can stay “stuck” in that state. Somatic therapy helps release that trapped energy and bring the body back to a state of balance.

2. Reconnects You to Your BodyTrauma can cause disconnection from the body. People who have experienced trauma may feel numb, disconnected, or even dissociated from their own physical sensations. Somatic therapy helps clients reconnect with their bodies in a safe, gentle way, allowing them to feel present and grounded.

3. Releases Stored EmotionsHave you ever noticed that certain emotions or memories make your body feel tight or tense? That’s because our emotions are not just experienced in our minds—they have a physical component as well. Somatic therapy helps you identify and release these physical sensations, which can lead to emotional relief and healing.

4. Promotes Emotional RegulationTrauma can dysregulate the nervous system, leaving us in a constant state of heightened stress or anxiety. Somatic therapy helps restore balance to the nervous system, teaching clients to recognize and manage their physical and emotional responses more effectively.

   
   

How Somatic Therapy Works:

In a somatic therapy session, you may be guided through different techniques, including:

• Breathwork: Focusing on your breath can help calm your nervous system and release stored tension in your body.

• Body Awareness: By tuning into physical sensations, we can uncover emotional patterns and areas of tension that may hold trauma.

• Movement: Gentle movement can help release pent-up energy and emotions, promoting a sense of freedom and ease in the body.

• Touch (when appropriate): Certain therapeutic touch techniques, like gentle pressure or grounding touch, can support the body’s release of stored emotions and stress.

  
  

Somatic therapy is a powerful approach to healing trauma because it acknowledges the body’s role in our emotional and psychological well-being. By releasing stored trauma and reconnecting with our bodies, we can experience profound healing that goes beyond talk therapy alone.

If you’re ready to explore somatic therapy or would like more information on how it can support your healing, reach out to book a session. Together, we can work to release what’s been holding you back and create lasting change.