Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on thoughts and feelings, somatic therapy integrates physical sensations and bodily experiences as important, necessary components of healing. By exploring the mind-body connection, somatic therapies can help people release trauma stored in the body, improve their self-awareness, and express emotions they have been pushing down. These can be a good option for those struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, grief, and many other mental health issues. Here are several popular types of somatic therapy.
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Somatic experiencing (SE) is a trauma-focused therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine. SE is rooted in the understanding that trauma often gets “stuck” in the body and ultimately disrupts the nervous system. This therapy helps clients gradually process and release these stored traumatic energies without re-traumatizing them. It’s particularly effective for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or chronic stress.
SE sessions typically involve:
Developing body awareness.
Tracking physical sensations linked to traumatic memories.
Techniques like grounding, movement, or visualization release tension and restore balance.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor psychotherapy combines somatic therapy principles with elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness. This approach emphasizes the connection between physical sensations and psychological issues. Sensorimotor psychotherapy is especially beneficial for those with developmental trauma or attachment issues from past childhood experiences. It empowers people to develop new, healthier ways of responding to stress and emotional triggers.
Sensorimotor psychotherapy can include:
Observing and working with habitual physical patterns, such as posture or tension.
Exploring how bodily experiences influence emotional responses.
Integrating mindful awareness of the body to reshape maladaptive patterns.
The Hakomi Method
The Hakomi method integrates mindfulness and body awareness with psychotherapy. Developed by Ron Kurtz, this method views the body as a gateway to uncovering unconscious beliefs and patterns that shape behavior and emotional responses. Hakomi is particularly suited for individuals seeking a compassionate, non-invasive approach to self-discovery and healing.
Hakomi sessions often involve:
Gentle, mindful exploration of bodily sensations.
Identifying core beliefs that arise from these sensations.
Using experiential techniques to challenge and shift those beliefs.
Integrating these shifts into everyday life.
Bioenergetic Therapy
Bioenergetic therapy combines physical exercises, deep breathing, and body awareness techniques to release tension, trauma, and emotional blockages stored in the body. It is based on the belief that psychological issues manifest physically, often as chronic tension or restricted energy flow in the body.
Key parts of bioenergetic therapy include:
Body movements (grounding exercises, stretching, dancing) that release pent-up emotions and improve energy flow.
Deep breathing techniques to help clients reconnect with their bodies.
Body awareness through refraining from movement and feeling what happens inside.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Some mental health professionals do consider EMDR a somatic therapy because it incorporates bodily movements (moving the eyes from side to side or tapping from left to right) as a method of reprocessing traumatic memories. It’s a much more structured treatment than other types of somatic therapy. While its focus is mainly on the brain and its memories, therapists encourage clients to pay attention to their bodily responses during and after particularly intense moments of EMDR sessions.
Are You Ready to Try Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapies are unique in that there are so many distinct approaches that incorporate both the mind and body. It’s important to choose an approach that resonates with your needs and goals. Factors to consider include the type of trauma or stress you’re dealing with, your comfort level with physical touch or movement, and the training of your trauma therapist. If you’re ready to explore your mind-body connection as a way to heal, reach out to us today.
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