Somatic Therapy as a Method of Treating Trauma
Trauma can leave an imprint not only on the mind but also on the body. Many clients come to therapy feeling they have worked through their experiences. Yet they often sense that something remains unresolved. Somatic therapy provides a way to address trauma by working with the physical sensations, tension, and responses that are stored in the body. By engaging both mind and body, we create opportunities for deeper healing that words alone may not always reach. This integration is one reason somatic therapy has become an important resource in trauma treatment.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is based on the understanding that our bodies hold memory. When a distressing event happens, our nervous system often reacts in ways beyond conscious control. Muscles tighten, breathing becomes shallow, and the body prepares to defend or withdraw. These protective responses can persist even after the event is over, leaving us with ongoing tension, anxiety, or emotional reactions. In practice, somatic therapy would help you to notice these physical responses, connect them with underlying emotions, and gradually release your body from being “stuck” in survival mode.
The Role of Body Awareness
One of the foundations of somatic therapy is body awareness. A therapist will guide you to pay attention to how you sit, breathe, or hold tension. You may discover that talking about a painful memory causes your shoulders to tighten or your stomach to clench. By bringing awareness to these signals, you can learn to pause, breathe, and allow your body to gradually relax. Over time, these small shifts reduce the intensity of trauma responses and help restore a sense of safety within the body.
What Techniques Are Used in Somatic Therapy?
Techniques used in somatic therapy often include mindfulness, gentle movement, guided imagery, grounding, body awareness, and breathing practices. Rather than forcing memories, these approaches gently foster a sense of safety, allowing the body to naturally release what it's been carrying.
For example, a simple grounding exercise might involve pressing feet into the floor and noticing the support beneath them. This kind of practice allows you to stay present and connected, even when discussing difficult topics. Through consistent work, the nervous system learns that it no longer has to stay in a state of constant alert.
Honoring Spiritual Practices
An important aspect of somatic therapy is that it can be adapted to honor your background, culture, and spiritual beliefs. For some, integrating prayer, meditation, or energy work into sessions brings a sense of wholeness. For others, the focus may remain on mindfulness and physical awareness. We approach somatic therapy with respect for all spiritual practices, recognizing that healing often feels most complete when it includes your inner sense of meaning and connection.
Is It Effective?
Research supports the effectiveness of somatic approaches in treating trauma. Studies have shown improvements in symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression when somatic methods are used alongside traditional talk therapy. Clients of somatic therapy often report that this form of therapy allows them to release long-held emotions that words alone could not reach. The goal is not to erase your memories but to reduce the hold they have on both body and mind, building a deeper sense of stability and fortitude.
Taking the Next Step
Living with trauma can feel overwhelming, but healing is possible. If you have been considering somatic therapy or are curious about how it could support your recovery, we invite you to reach out. Call us to schedule a free phone consultation to see if somatic therapy could benefit you. Together, we can create a space where your body and mind work in harmony toward healing. Scheduling that session is the first step toward easing the weight of trauma and discovering greater freedom in both your body and spirit.