It's not just the head that holds everything! Your body also collects all the memories of trauma. Here, somatic therapy can help treat those traumas. Somatic therapy, which is also called somatic experiencing therapy, is a type of therapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body. The term "somatic" itself represents "relating to the body". During the therapy, the somatic therapist uses different techniques that help release suppressed trauma that has become trapped inside the body. Also, this body-centric method helps prevent stress and tension from the mind and the body. Let's dive directly into the article to know what somatic therapy is all about, its techniques, types, benefits, and effectiveness!
What Does Somatic Therapy Mean?
Want to have a comprehensive guide on what is somatic therapy? Somatic therapy is a body-oriented approach that is deeply rooted in somatic psychology. It works by managing the feedback loop that constantly runs from mind to body or vice-versa. It is different from typical psychotherapy, which is also known as talk therapy. In specific psychotherapy, the therapists address only the mind, while in somatic therapy, the healing of the body is involved.
Practitioners believe that negative emotions that were experienced during any traumatic incident can stay trapped inside the body of a person. If these negative emotions are not released on time, they can cause some psychological diseases or physical issues like back or neck pain. Chronic pain is widespread in patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). With the help of different mind-body techniques, therapists release locked tension that is disturbing the physical and emotional well-being.
What Does Somatic Therapy Help With?
Somatic trauma therapy primarily focuses on the physical and mental connection of the patients during treatment. It helps manage physical as well as psychological symptoms related to mental health problems, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma and abuse
- Self-esteem problems.
- Complicated Grief and loss
- Addiction
- Insecurity
- Sexual function
- Anger
- Problems with relationships
Benefits Of Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy works efficiently along with organic processes of the body system to facilitate healing. The benefits of this potential therapy can include the:
- Increased bodily awareness
- Reduction of symptoms associated with PTSD
- Improved self-esteem
- Reduced stress
- Enhanced mood
- Better interpersonal relationships
Somatic Therapy Techniques
Somatic therapy works based on different techniques. Therapists use several methods to help release negative emotions or trauma and build a new connection between the mind and the body. The following are the most common ones:
1. Body Awareness
Building body awareness is the first fundamental technique of somatic therapy. It allows a person to understand and observe the slight physical transformation, which helps form a deeper connection between the mind and the body. This technique supports recognizing the sites of tension in the body and learning about calming emotions and thoughts. Patients are instructed to notice all these sensations via different mindfulness practices.
2. Resourcing
Resourcing, as the term implies, is a technique that involves remembering resources that provide a sense of security in your life. Those resources may include your favorite place or people that give comfort, recollections of positive experiences, relationships, strengths, achievements, or even fictional, peaceful spots. The patients are instructed to involve themselves in the body sensations of pleasure and peace associated with all these resources so that they can utilize them to overcome any bodily discomfort emerging from traumatic memories that may occur again.
3. Titration
The titration technique involves a cautiously moving approach, introducing discomfort gradually and in small quantities. This aims to permit the release of discomfort from the body so that suppressed tension can find the path to escape. Also, this somatic technique helps the patients build patience and strength rather than keeping their memories away. The patients are guided to observe physical changes as they define their memory. If the patient encounters any body sensations, the therapists address them quickly.
Also Read:Understanding The Differences Between Counseling And Therapy
4. Grounding
Grounding is the primary technique in somatic therapy that connects patients physically with their surroundings, settling them in the present moment. This can be helpful for patients struggling with recurring flashbacks or anxiety correlated with specific memories. It helps a person to connect deeply to the body and earth by feeling the body, touching feet on the ground, and relaxing one's nervous system. Therapists ask patients to name five things they can see, four things they can hear, three things they can touch, two things they can smell, and practice one slow and deep breath.
5. Pendulation
This technique is utilized in somatic therapy, accompanied by titration and marked by swinging between stressful and non-stressful events. The patients may experience a distressing memory for a short period but turn back to some resources that provide comfort and self-empowerment. This allows the gentle release of the painful, locked emotions. Therapists may repeat the technique many times, allowing the stored energy to be released. As the energy gets released, patients might feel anxious. Psychotherapists may get back to a comfortable state. There are many benefits to visiting a psychotherapist as patients will learn on their own to get into a calm state.
6. Sequencing
This technique refers to observing the order in which the release of tension occurs. For instance, check a tightness in the chest, throat, and then an entire body until it reaches a movement in arms or legs or catharsis via tears. There may be a trembling sensation when the tension exits the body. This needs a sense of mindfulness in a patient, which aids in building a connection to one's body. Observing the sensations and impulses in the body through this technique can give an in-depth feeling of relief and release.
Types Of Somatic Therapy
The following are the 3 types of somatic therapy that are most common. Have a look:
1. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
EMDR therapy was first developed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research says military veterans who have undergone EMDR therapy have shown 77% recovery from PTSD within 12 sessions. It involves the use of physical bilateral actions(that is, therapist's pen along with fingers) while reminiscing traumatic experiences. The therapy enables the person to concentrate on trauma memory while undergoing bilateral stimulation (generally eye movements) at the same time. The bilateral action is associated with desensitization, which causes a decrease in the emotion and clarity linked with the trauma memories. This therapy uses an eight-phase treatment procedure which includes client history taking, preparation, inspection, desensitization, installation, scanning of the entire body, closure, and review of treatment results.
2. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP)
Sensorimotor psychotherapy is an effective body-centric therapy for trauma that helps heal the symptoms of unresolved trauma. While typical talk therapies use the words of patients as the access for a treatment, this kind of therapy depends on the physical experiences of a person as an entry point to awareness and mental health state. Sensorimotor psychotherapy uses the body as the primary source of intervention targets and information. This therapy often involves 3 phases: safety & stabilization, processing, and integration. All these phases have been marked as stabilization and traumatic symptom reduction, working efficiently with traumatic memories, and re-integration.
3. The Hakomi Method
This type of somatic therapy focuses on mindfulness, the ability to see the present moment without judgment. This body-centered approach uses experiential methods and somatic awareness to foster positive changes and growth. It may include examining habits such as biting lip, posture, twirling hair, and facial expression to indicate your unconscious beliefs about yourself. This therapy supervises core principles, including mindfulness, organicity, mind-body integration, unity, and nonviolence. This method might benefit trauma survivors, holding tension in specific body areas as it helps increase body awareness.
Effectiveness Of Somatic Therapy
According to a study, PTSD- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment through somatic therapy has been confirmed to be effective, which increases the time required to recover from a traumatic incident. However, further investigation is needed to clearly understand the patients who will benefit most from this kind of therapy. The therapy may also address symptoms related to anxiety, pain, and depression and make the quality of life better for people with no Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD). Yet, a few studies have been conducted. Moreover, the therapy was helpful in treating cervical myofascial pain, but when acupuncture was included in the treatment, the effectiveness did not show any improvement. Overall, specialists state a more high-quality examination is required to analyze the possible benefits that somatic therapy can provide to the patients.
What To Look For If You're Considering Somatic Therapy
If you are interested in considering somatic therapy, follow these two essential tips to get started:
1. Find The Right Therapist
Finding a licensed professional can be a perfect idea to start. If you are looking for an in-person treatment, add "somatic therapist near me" to a search engine. You will have a list of professionals having experience in somatic therapy to choose from. If you want a virtual experience, check the reviews of the potential therapists online. Remember that not all mental health professionals have experience in bodily therapy, so it's crucial to look for the licensed one only. Somatic Experiencing International has a complete directory of practitioners, using which you can find a licensed therapist with years of experience in bodily therapy training and somatic therapy exercises.
Also Read:Psychiatrists Vs. Psychologists - What Is the Difference?
2. Prepare For The First Appointment
Before scheduling your first appointment, consider the physical and emotional goals you want to achieve through somatic therapy. If you see a therapist in person, prepare for healing work through touch. Whether you visit the professionals personally or virtually, they will question you regarding your medical history and therapy goals during the first day of the session. The practitioners will discuss with you what somatic therapy looks like and how it works. It is important to note that comfort is what matters the most. Being comfortable with the therapist will help you share all your concerns frankly and honestly without judgment.
Summing Up
Somatic therapy is a practical approach beyond treating the mind; it also heals the body and the entire nervous system. This kind of treatment is developed to recover a patient's health state from traumatic and distressing events and refresh their mind and body connection. It generally focuses on body sensations that arise in response to traumatic or complicated memories. If you feel somatic therapy can be helpful for you, seek support from licensed practitioners with specialized somatic techniques.
Reviewed by
