Somatic Therapy2

Working with Dr. Walker opened my eyes to the fascinating world of mind-body therapies, now more commonly known as somatic therapies. He developed a technique that bridges physical ailments and psychological traumas, blending muscle testing, Chinese Medicine, homeopathy and trauma work. As I delved deeper into this field, I eventually became certified in NET and discovered a world of less mainstream, yet highly effective techniques for understanding the profound connection between our minds and bodies.

When I began my private practice, I was eager to master and integrate somatic and spiritual approaches. However, while I was still in the early stages of building my practice, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed everything. With in-person sessions no longer possible, I could no longer rely on techniques that required me being in the same room as my clients.

Although this was a daunting time for many practitioners, I saw it as an opportunity to evolve. I set myself on a path to learn a style of somatic psychotherapy that can be offered virtually and that didn’t require touch.

Specifically I focused on learning Internal Family Systems (IFS), a psycho-spiritual-somatic approach. I honed my skills in guiding clients to trust their intuition and attune to their physical sensations. Additionally, I deepened my training in energy work and harnessed my psychic abilities to see and sense others’ energy.

 After years of intense study and refinement, I developed an approach that draws the most effective elements from the multiple schools of which I’ve been a student: NET, Internal Family Systems (IFS), hypnotherapy, energy medicine, Buddhist psychology, and post-modern therapy.

Practicing from a lens that is authentic to my skills has been immensely rewarding.  I’ve witnessed many miracles in my therapy sessions: profound forgiveness of self and others, release of long-held familial beliefs, and the building of deep love for self. 

I attribute it to a holistic style of therapy where the dimensions of trauma, body, intergenerational trauma, and the energy field all intersect. 

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!