Over the past few years, the number of people asking me about somatic therapy has increased tenfold.
While many are unfamiliar with the specifics of somatic therapy, they recognize it as a powerful and effective approach. Popular sources such as the book “The Body Keeps the Score” and psychologist Gabor Mate have brought somatic therapy into the mainstream.
So…What Exactly Is Somatic Therapy?
In a general sense, somatic psychotherapy:
- is based on the idea that emotional and psychological experiences are stored in the body. Therefore psychological material can manifest as physical tension, pain, or other sensations.
- recognizes that by the body can help us access subconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences
- uses the body as a mechanism of healing trauma and releasing emotions
During a session, a somatic therapist might employ various techniques depending on their approach and training. These can include:
- bilateral stimulation and tapping
- application of acupressure points
- meditative states and guided imagery
- body movement and motion
- Guided breathwork
- eye movements
- focused awareness on physical sensations
How is Somatic Therapy Different from Talk Therapy?
Talk therapies like psychoanalysis and CBT rely on dialogue as the primary tool for facilitating change and gaining insight. In a very general sense, talk therapists help you identify and work through your conscious thought, emotions, narratives, and behaviors. Somatic therapies tend to focus more on your subconscious thoughts, feelings, behaviors and memories.
Some of the more well-known and time-tested methods include EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting and Somatic Experiencing. The world of somatic therapy is rapidly evolving with the emergence of new approaches, some of them offshoots of these more common therapies.
Which Style of Therapy Do I Need?
Both styles of therapy can be highly beneficial, and many therapists are skilled in both modalities. In my practice, clients often appreciate a blend of the two. For instance, on days when a client feels ready for deeper emotional work, we might use a somatic approach. On other days, if a client is already feeling overwhelmed and needs practical support, we use solution-focused dialogue to address specific issues.
Because somatic therapies help clients access unpleasant past traumas, we want clients to develop a strong foundation of coping and calm skills. Sometimes clients come into therapy already with a strong set of coping skills; other times, clients need to learn coping skills in the beginning stages of therapy.
The upside is that some somatic techniques are emotional regulation skills! For instance, I teach clients an acupressure breathing technique called FAST, calming guided imagery, and bilateral stimulation in the early stages of treatment. Tools like these help prepare client for deeper trauma-based, somatic work.
There are certain issues where I recommend that clients seek a professional with that specialty. This includes addictions, eating disorders, and OCD. Certain symptoms are best treated with a behavioral approach.
Have you received somatic psychotherapy before? What has your experience been like? Share with us in the comments section!
