Somatic therapy and how it can help
Black and white pic of a femaile body curled up
When people think about therapy, they usually imagine talking: Sitting across from a therapist, finding words for difficult feelings & making sense of experiences through conversation. And talking is powerful.
But sometimes words aren't enough.
But what does somatic mean?
Somatic simply means relating to the body. Somatic therapy is based on the understanding that our experiences - especially difficult or traumatic ones - aren't just stored in our minds, they live in the body too.
You might notice this yourself. Anxiety that sits in your chest, grief that feels physical, stress that shows up as a tightness in your shoulders or jaw. Our bodies are amazing, and they keep a record of what we've been through.
How does it work in practice?
Somatic techniques don't replace talking, they complement it. In practice this might look like noticing where you feel something in your body as you talk, paying attention to your breath, using movement or grounding exercises to help regulate your nervous system, or working with imagery and sensation alongside words.
Think of it as information. You know when you’re hungry, tired, thirsty, nervous - this is all somatic information and the more in tune with our bodies we are, the more we can get more of a handle on difficult emotions.
Who can it help?
Somatic approaches can be particularly useful for people dealing with trauma, anxiety, stress and burnout, especially when talking alone hasn't felt like enough. If you've tried therapy before and felt like something was missing, it might be worth exploring.
Is it right for everyone?
Not always, and a good therapist will never push you towards anything that doesn't feel right. Somatic work is offered as an option, not a requirement.
I incorporate somatic techniques alongside person-centred and psychodynamic approaches, working with clients in Norwood Junction SE25 and online throughout the UK.
For a free, 15 minute chat to see how I can help, get in touch here
