Healing Through the Ages: A Technical Dive into Somatic Therapy Techniques

I have personally experienced the transformative power of somatic therapy. As a therapist, I have seen somatic work help people heal from traumatic experiences by emphasizing the connection between the mind and body. From a holistic perspective, recognizing physical sensations and emotions is essential to healing.

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a form of psychotherapy focused on the connection between the mind and body. It recognizes emotional and psychological issues can manifest as physical symptoms and sensations or gut feelings. Several techniques are used to help people release and process emotions by bringing awareness to these physical sensations.

Based on the idea that the body holds onto memories and experiences, somatic therapy helps you identify the body’s warning signs and pinpoint what they might be communicating. Whether you describe your experiences as positive, negative, or neutral, they can all impact you mentally and physically.

History of Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy has been around for centuries and has been called by many names. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates believed the mind and body were interconnected and that physical activity could improve mental health. In the 20th century, Wilhelm Reich developed a form of therapy called Orgone Therapy, which focused on the energy flow in the body. The work of Reich influenced other somatic therapists, including Alexander Lowen, who developed Bioenergetics.

In the 1960s and 70s, somatic psychology began to emerge. Psychologists and therapists began to explore the connection between the mind and body and the impact of trauma on physical and mental health. This led to the development of a variety of somatic therapy techniques.

Principles of Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy is based on several principles. The first is the recognition that the mind and body are interconnected. This means that physical sensations and emotions are closely linked. The second is the belief that the body holds onto memories and experiences. This means that a person’s physical sensations can be a clue to unresolved emotional issues. The third principle is the belief that the body can heal itself. This means that a person can begin the healing process by becoming aware of physical sensations and emotions.

Somatic Psychology and Somatic Work

Somatic psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the connection between the mind and body. Somatic work involves helping clients become aware of physical sensations and emotions and working through them in a safe and supportive environment. Somatic therapists use a variety of techniques to help clients release and process emotions and physical sensations.

Peter Levine and Somatic Psychotherapy

Peter Levine is a pioneer in the field of somatic therapy. He is the author of “Waking the Tiger” and “In an Unspoken Voice,” both of which focus on the connection between trauma and physical sensations. Levine’s work emphasizes the importance of working with the body to heal trauma.

Levine developed Somatic Experiencing, a form of therapy that focuses on working with physical sensations to heal trauma. This approach emphasizes the importance of becoming aware of physical sensations and working with them to release trauma from the body.

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma and the Body Keeps the Score

Two influential books in the field of somatic therapy are “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma” by Peter Levine and “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk. Both books focus on the impact of trauma on the body and the importance of somatic therapy in healing.

Somatic Experiencing is based on the idea that trauma can be trapped in the body and that by releasing physical sensations, a person can begin to heal. Waking the Tiger outlines a variety of techniques for working with physical sensations and emotions.

“The Body Keeps the Score” focuses on the impact of trauma on the brain and body. The book outlines various studies conducted on the connection between trauma and physical and mental health.

EMDR and Somatic Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a form of therapy that is effective in treating PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. EMDR involves the use of eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help clients process traumatic memories. It is important to note that EMDR is not a good fit for some people. If you do try EMDR, I recommend you speak candidly with your therapist about possible side effects.

While EMDR is not specifically a form of somatic therapy, it does involve working with physical sensations and emotions. EMDR therapists often incorporate somatic techniques into their work.

Techniques and Approaches in Somatic Therapy

There are many different techniques and approaches used in somatic therapy. A few heavy hitters are:

• Somatic Experiencing – working with physical sensations to release trauma from the body.

• Bioenergetics – working with the body’s energy flow to release emotional and physical tension.

• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy – working with physical sensations and movement to release trauma from the body.

• Dance/Movement Therapy –  using movement to explore and release emotions.

Somatic therapy can be a powerful approach to healing. It is based on the idea that the body holds onto memories and experiences and that physical sensations can be a clue to unresolved emotional issues. Somatic therapy involves a variety of techniques and approaches, including Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and Bodymind therapy. By becoming aware of physical sensations and emotions, you can begin the healing process and live a more fulfilling life.

If you are interested in exploring somatic therapy for yourself or a loved one, I encourage you to reach out to a somatic therapist near you. The healing journey begins with you.