Somatic Therapy

When you have a traumatic experience, its impacts can be stored in the body, causing issues later. Somatic therapy bridges the body and mind in the field of psychotherapy, placing importance on your whole experience. Somatic itself means ‘of or relating to the body.’ 

What is somatic therapy? 

Somatic therapists support clients to build a deeper awareness of their bodies, including chronic or momentary pain, utilising breath, postures, movement in order to become aware of the way in which the body is participating in the process of trauma. Because trauma is not only psychological, but very physical, this body awareness can become a pathway to healing and transformation. 

Is somatic therapy right for you? 

Somatic therapy is for anyone looking to address and process emotional and psychological issues through an improved mind-body connection. 

While it’s particularly beneficial if you’ve experienced trauma or struggle with chronic stress, if you’re open to exploring how your physical sensations, movements and body experiences relate to your emotions and mental wellbeing, somatic therapy might be right for you..

While somatic therapy has emerged from the research in the fields of trauma, PTSD and complex PTSD, it can be useful for any individual seeking to heal, transform and return to wholeness.

As Richard Strozzi suggests, at the heart of somatic therapy is the compassionate shedding of an old way of being that has run into its limits, and the gradual formation of a new way of being that is more expansive and appropriate for what you are now committed to or are invited into.

What to expect during our somatic therapy session

I weave somatic therapy with other talk therapy or nature therapy modalities to best meet my clients where they are at. 

Somatic therapy is easily integrated with other talk therapy or nature therapy modalities, ensuring our time together is insightful and purpose-led. Where we begin depends on your energy:

• For clients who have long been dissociated from the body, we’ll begin by very gently restoring safety with body awareness in the present moment. 
• For those who have found that talk therapy has not been successful in relieving their suffering we may deep dive into the felt experience of the trauma and move towards healing through body practices including breathwork, nervous system regulation, movement and yoga.
• For others, the somatic approach is used as an empowering coaching technique to move beyond the beliefs and limitations that have been holding them back from the life they want for themselves.
  

My work is influenced by Stephen Porges, Deb Dana, Janina Fisher, Peter Levine, Bessel van der Kolk, Pat Ogden, Richard Strozzi and Susan McConnell

Experience and qualifications in somatic therapy

I have completed a number of programs that inform my approach in the somatic therapy space, including: 

• Holistic Psychotherapy and Counselling (Post Graduate) – The Metavision Institute 
• The Power of Embodied Transformation – Coaches Rising 
• Biofeedback – International Association of Psychophysiology 
• 200-hour yoga teacher training – Embodied Flow and Tara Judelle