In our modern, fast-paced world, tending to our mental health has become an increasingly crucial aspect of ensuring our overall well-being. Traditional therapeutic approaches often focus on talk therapy, by addressing psychological issues through conversation. Many people experiencing talk therapy notice that - although they might have a better understanding of their issues - some things still feel unresolved. So what is the missing link? The body. The body is the container and vessel in which we experience all things, from beginning to end. Incorporating the body into the therapeutic process is not only incredibly beneficial but essential to health and wellness.
Somatic therapy is an approach that recognizes the deep connection between the mind and body, offering a holistic path to healing.
Understanding Somatic Therapy
The demands of our modern lives can get us stuck in our thinking brains, keeping us preoccupied and disconnected from the innate wisdom of our bodies. Somatic therapy is rooted in the understanding that our bodies hold onto and express emotions, memories, and traumas. Unlike traditional therapies that primarily engage with cognitive processes, somatic therapy welcomes and works with the physical sensations, energies, movements, and gestures associated with our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. By acknowledging this intricate mind-body connection, somatic therapy seeks to unlock healing potential that extends beyond words.
Key Tenets of Somatic Therapy
Mind-Body Connection
Somatic therapy is grounded in the principle that the mind and body are interconnected. It recognizes that emotional experiences can manifest physically, leading to symptoms such as tension, pain, or other bodily sensations. When left unaddressed, this tension, pain, and inflammation caused by unprocessed experiences/emotions can lead to serious and chronic health issues. By exploring and addressing the physical manifestations of these experiences, individuals can gain insights into, process, and release underlying emotional issues.
Embodied Awareness
One of the primary goals of somatic therapy is to cultivate an awareness of bodily sensations. This involves paying attention to how emotions are felt in the body, whether it's a tightness in the chest, a knot in the stomach, or shallow breathing. By developing this awareness, one can learn how to identify and regulate their emotional states more effectively.
See our blog on Meeting Your Emotions to learn more about how sensations and emotions show up in the body.
Movement and Expression
Somatic therapy often involves movement and expressive techniques to help release stored tension and emotions. These may include breathwork, yoga, dance, or other forms of physical expression. Engaging in these activities can facilitate the release of trapped energy, promoting a sense of liberation and peace.
Read about how Self Regulation Through Rhythm can support you in moving through and expressing your body’s wisdom.
Trauma-Informed Approach
Somatic therapy is particularly effective in addressing trauma. Traumatic experiences can become lodged in the body, leading to symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, dissociation, depression, or even chronic pain. Somatic therapists engage with gentle and mindful approaches to help individuals process and release these stored traumas, fostering a sense of safety and personal empowerment.
Benefits of Somatic Therapy
Holistic Healing
Somatic therapy views individuals as wise and integrated beings, acknowledging the inseparable nature of mind and body. This holistic approach allows for a deeper and more comprehensive healing process.
2. Enhanced Self-Awareness
Engaging in somatic practices allows for greater bodily awareness, so the individual can gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and behavioral patterns. When we attune to what is really happening in our bodies, we can better understand ourselves and others.
3. Stress Reduction
Somatic therapy provides practical tools for managing stress, by teaching individuals how to recognize and release physical tension. Techniques like deep breathing and mindful movement can be applied in everyday life to promote relaxation.
4. Improved Emotional Regulation
By addressing the physical manifestations of emotions, somatic therapy helps individuals learn to regulate their emotional responses more effectively. This can lead to increased emotional resilience and a greater sense of control over one’s ability to respond to stress and stay within their window of tolerance.
Somatic practices allow a person to become more embodied in their experience - meaning being able to fully express any idea, feeling, or quality that is alive in them. When we are unable to express or embody these feelings moving through us, we tend to experience feelings of disempowerment and disconnection - either from ourselves or others.
Embarking on a journey of embodied healing through somatic therapy can open up new dimensions of self-discovery and recovery. By embracing the wisdom of the body, individuals can experience profound changes in their mental and emotional well-being - creating a more balanced and fulfilling life. Please reach out to the therapists here at Evolve In Nature if you are interested in finding out more about how somatic therapy can benefit you on your therapeutic journey.
Further Reading:
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma (2014) Bessel van der Kolk
Walking the Tiger: Healing Trauma (1997) Peter A. Levine
My Grandmother’s Hands: Radicalized Trauma and the Mending of Our Bodies and Hearts (2017) Resmaa Menakem
When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress (2003) Gabor Mate