Introduction
When it comes to therapy, most people think of talking to a therapist about their feelings and thoughts. This is called “talk therapy.” But there’s another type of therapy that is becoming more popular, known as “somatic therapy.” Instead of focusing just on talking, somatic therapy also involves your body, your nervous system regulation patterns and physical sensations. In this guide, we’ll explore 10 unique benefits of somatic therapy compared to talk therapy and how it can help with anxiety, trauma, and overall well-being.
1. Focuses on Body/Mind Unity
While talk therapy mainly focuses on your thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy also pays attention to what your body is feeling. Somatic therapy for healing from trauma involves helping you understand how your nervous system functioning was impacted by traumatic events and how patterns in the body were created as a way to deal with what happened.
2. Helps Release Stored Trauma or Traumatic Energy Held in the Body
Trauma isn’t just something that affects your mind—it can also get “stuck” in your body. Trauma negatively impacts your nervous system functioning leading to things like high blood pressure, digestive and immune system issues. Somatic therapy helps you to recognize and release this stored trauma by practicing somatic awareness, grounding and self-regulation skills. This can make the healing process more complete and effective.
3. Reduces Anxiety and Depression by Bringing the Nervous System Back Into Balance
When your nervous system is back in balance, you will feel more regulated, which means you’ll more often feel both calm and alert. Anxiety often causes your nervous system to stay on high alert, making you feel stressed or panicked. Conversely, depression is a symptom of a nervous system that is shut down or in collapse. Somatic therapy includes techniques like breathing exercises, grounding skills, or therapeutic touch that help balance your nervous system and reduce both anxiety and depression.
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4. Encourages Somatic Awareness and Being In the Right Now
The body can only live in present time and your body is a highly sensitive organism. Somatic therapy often involves being mindful, which means paying attention to what’s happening in your body and mind right now, without judgment. This can help you feel more connected to your body and the more connected you are to your body, the better choices you can make with intention vs. reaction.
5. Supports Emotional Regulation
Sometimes, emotions can feel overwhelming, like a wave crashing over you. Somatic therapy teaches you how to regulate or manage these emotions better by understanding the physical sensations and physiological shifts that come with them. This way, you can better respond to your emotions in a way that feels in alignment with who you really want to be.
6. Improves Connection to Your Body
In today’s world, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your body—especially if you’re always busy or stressed. Somatic therapy helps you reconnect with your body, making you more aware of how you feel physically and emotionally. This connection can lead to better self-care and a stronger sense of well-being.
7. Offers a Different Approach When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough
For some people, just talking about their problems isn’t enough to bring about change. Somatic therapy offers a different approach that can be more effective, especially for those who have tried talk therapy without much success. It provides another tool to help you work through your issues and more importantly, heal your nervous system so you can be more resilient.
8. Supports Long-Term Healing, Not Just Coping
When you heal, you have less of a need for coping skills, this is because regulation leads to resilience. Resilience is an actual physiological shift where your system naturally knows how to come back into balance. Somatic therapy doesn’t just focus on short-term relief. It aims to help you heal in the long term by focusing on nervous system regulation and healing This makes somatic therapy a powerful approach for lasting change.
9. Teaches You About Your Nervous System Patterns and How to Heal Those Patterns
Through somatic therapy, you learn about how your nervous system was negatively affected by a traumatic event or events. By learning self-regulation skills, becoming more and more connected and attuned to your body, receiving therapeutic touch as is appropriate, you can heal from trauma.
10. Enhances Overall Well-Being
By connecting the mind and body in the healing process, somatic therapy can lead to a greater sense of overall well-being. You may find that you feel more balanced, centered, and at peace, both mentally and physically.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy is a form of therapy that focuses on enhancing the connection between mind and body. Somatic approaches to healing believe that the body’s intelligence and wisdom is equal to the mind’s and we facilitate a collaborative partnership. It involves techniques that help you become more aware of your bodily sensations and how they relate to your emotions and mental health. This approach can help release physical tension and trauma stored in the body, leading to improved mental well-being.
Coverage for somatic therapy varies depending on your insurance provider and plan. Some insurance companies may cover it if it’s provided by a licensed therapist, while others may not. It’s best to check with your insurance company directly or ask your therapist if they accept insurance. You may also need to get a referral from your primary care doctor in some cases.
Finding a qualified somatic therapist can be done through several methods:
- Online Directories: Websites like Traumahealing.org, Sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org and CoregulatingTouch.com have directories where you can search for therapists who specialize in somatic approaches like Somatic Experiencing®, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Coregulating touch, just to name a few.
- Referrals: Ask your primary care doctor, a mental health professional, or friends and family if they can recommend someone.
- Professional Organizations: Look for therapists who are certified by recognized organizations, such as the Somatic Experiencing®® Trauma Institute or the Hakomi Institute.
Social Media and Forums: Sometimes, reading reviews or recommendations on social media or forums can help you find a reputable therapist in your area.
In a somatic therapy session, you can expect a combination of talking and body-focused exercises. Your therapist might guide you through breathing exercises, mindful movements, or other techniques to help you become more aware of your body. The goal is to help you notice and release physical tension or emotions that might be affecting your mental health. Sessions can vary depending on your needs and the therapist’s approach.
Trauma can be stored in the body, causing physical symptoms like tension, pain, or chronic stress. Somatic therapy helps by allowing you to release these stored emotions through body awareness and movement. This can lead to a reduction in trauma-related symptoms, such as anxiety, flashbacks, or nightmares, and can help you feel more grounded and in control.
Somatic therapy can be beneficial for many people, especially those dealing with trauma, anxiety, or stress-related issues. However, it might not be suitable for everyone. If you don’t have any experience with mindfulness practices then you may feel uncomfortable focusing on your body sensations, especially if they have experienced severe trauma. It’s important to discuss your concerns with a therapist to determine if somatic therapy is the right approach for you.
The time it takes to see results from somatic therapy varies from person to person. Some people may start to notice improvements after just a few sessions, while others might need several months to several years of therapy. The progress depends on the complexity of the issues being addressed, your commitment to the process, and the specific training ofyour therapist.
Yes, somatic therapy can be combined with other types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or talk therapy. Many therapists integrate somatic techniques into their practice to provide a more holistic approach to healing. Combining therapies can be particularly effective for addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of mental health issues.
When choosing a somatic therapist, consider the following:
- Credentials: Ensure the therapist is licensed and has specialized training in somatic therapy.
- Experience: Look for a therapist with experience in treating the specific issues you’re facing, such as trauma or anxiety.
- Comfort Level: It’s important to feel comfortable with your therapist, as somatic therapy can involve exploring vulnerable aspects of your emotions and body.
Approach: Ask about the therapist’s approach to somatic therapy and whether it aligns with what you’re looking for.
You might know that somatic therapy is working for you if you start to notice positive changes in your body such as an improvement in physical health and an overall increased awareness of your body in positive ways. Somatic therapy is working for you if your feel more balanced emotionally and less reactive. Regular check-ins with your therapist can help you track your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
Conclusion
Somatic therapy offers a unique and effective way to address issues like anxiety, trauma, and overall well-being by involving both the mind and body in the healing process. Whether you’re new to therapy or looking for something different, somatic therapy might be the right choice for you. By understanding and embracing these 10 benefits, you can take a step toward a healthier, more connected life.
If you’re curious about how somatic therapy can help you, consider reaching out to us here at Somatic Therapy Partners. Every clinician at our practice has received at least a 20 hour somatic training run by Maira Holzmann, as well as further training and certifications in somatic therapy approaches.
Your journey to healing could be more holistic and fulfilling than you ever imagined!