When it comes to mental health, it’s easy to focus on thoughts and emotions as the primary source of
issues, but somatic therapy offers a different approach by addressing the body’s role in healing.
distress. However, many of our experiences are stored not only in our minds but also in our bodies.
Somatic Therapy is a therapeutic approach that recognizes the profound connection between the mind
and body, helping individuals release stored tension, trauma, and stress through physical sensations and
movement. Whether you’re struggling with chronic stress, anxiety, unresolved trauma, or emotional
overwhelm, somatic therapy offers a holistic way to heal by tuning into the body’s innate wisdom. In this
blog post, we’ll explore what somatic therapy is, how it works, and how it can help you connect with your
body to promote healing and emotional well-being.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic Therapy is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the mind-body connection. Developed by
Peter Levine, Somatic Therapy draws on principles from traditional psychology, bodywork, and
neuroscience. It’s based on the idea that the body integrates and processes emotions, particularly those
associated with traumatic events and stress. When trauma or emotional experiences overwhelm a
person’s capacity to process them, these emotions may become “stuck” in the body, manifesting as
physical tension, pain, or other symptoms.
How Does Somatic Therapy Work?
Somatic Therapy is a body-centered approach that combines talk therapy with techniques that
encourage the client to become more attuned to their physical sensations. Unlike traditional talk therapy,
such as CBT, Somatic Therapy encourages individuals to explore the emotional and psychological
experiences held in their body.
Here’s an overview of how Somatic Therapy typically works:
Creating a Safe Space for Exploration
At the start of therapy, the therapist attempts to create a safe, supportive environment where clients can
explore their emotional and physical experiences. The therapist may guide the client to pay attention to
their body and help them become aware of physical sensations associated with emotions or memories.
Body Awareness and Sensation Tracking
In Somatic Therapy, the therapist encourages clients to track their bodily sensations — noticing where
they feel tension, discomfort, warmth, or lightness. These sensations can offer important clues about
underlying emotional states or past trauma.
For example, someone who feels tightness in their chest may be experiencing anxiety or grief. The goal is
to cultivate awareness of these sensations without judgment or the need to change them. Just by
becoming aware of these bodily signals, individuals can begin to process emotions more consciously.
Tuning into the Body’s Wisdom
Somatic therapists believe that the body holds the wisdom needed for healing. The therapist might guide
the client through exercises that allow them to listen to the body’s messages, helping to identify any
emotional or psychological patterns tied to physical sensations.
Releasing Stored Tension and Trauma
As clients become more attuned to their bodies, the therapist might use gentle techniques to help the
client release stored tension or trauma. This could involve breathing exercises, guided movements, or
gentle touch (if appropriate). The goal is to help the nervous system release the pent-up energy or
emotional charge stored in the body, allowing the client to experience relief and healing.
Integrating Mind and Body
Somatic Therapy isn’t just about releasing physical tension; it’s also about integrating the emotional and
psychological aspects of the experience. Through the therapy process, clients develop greater mind-body
connection and emotional resilience. As the physical sensations are processed and released, individuals
often report feeling lighter, more centered, and emotionally balanced.
Self-Regulation and Grounding
Many Somatic Therapy techniques also focus on self-regulation — teaching individuals how to calm their
nervous system when it becomes overwhelmed. Grounding exercises, mindfulness practices, and
breathwork are often used to help individuals reconnect with their bodies and regain a sense of safety,
control, and emotional equilibrium.
Key Benefits of Somatic Therapy
Releases Stuck Emotions and Trauma
One of the most powerful benefits of Somatic Therapy is its ability to help individuals release stored
trauma and emotions that have become trapped in the body. When trauma isn’t fully processed, it can
manifest physically as tension, pain, or other symptoms. Somatic Therapy provides a safe and gentle way
to release these stuck emotions, leading to greater emotional freedom and healing.
Promotes Mind-Body Connection
Many people struggle with feeling disconnected from their bodies, especially those who have
experienced trauma or chronic stress. As stated earlier, Somatic Therapy helps individuals re-establish a
mind-body connection, allowing them to become more aware of their physical sensations, emotions, and
overall well-being. This connection is crucial for emotional regulation and self-care.
Reduces Symptoms of Anxiety, Stress, and PTSD
Somatic Therapy is particularly effective for individuals dealing with anxiety, chronic stress, or Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It helps regulate the nervous system, which is often dysregulated in
people who have experienced trauma or prolonged stress. By working with the body’s sensations,
Somatic Therapy helps to calm the fight-or-flight response and reduce anxiety, tension, and
hypervigilance.
Improves Physical Health
Since Somatic Therapy works with the body as well as the mind, it can help reduce physical symptoms
caused by emotional stress or trauma. Clients often experience relief from conditions such as chronic
pain, headaches, digestive issues, and fatigue, which can be exacerbated by unresolved emotional
distress. As emotional blockages are released, physical health may improve as well.
Enhances Emotional Regulation
Somatic Therapy teaches individuals how to regulate their emotions by tuning into their bodies and
learning how to release excess emotional energy. This process helps individuals become more
emotionally resilient and capable of managing difficult emotions such as anger, sadness, and fear.
Supports Healing from Trauma
For individuals who have experienced trauma — whether physical, emotional, or psychological — Somatic
Therapy offers a way to process and heal from those experiences. By focusing on the body’s physical
responses to trauma, clients can reorganize and reframe their emotional responses, ultimately leading to
emotional healing and growth
Is Somatic Therapy Right for You?
If you’ve experienced trauma, chronic stress, or feel disconnected from your body or emotions, Somatic
Therapy may be a highly effective approach for you. This body-centered therapy helps you become more
attuned to your physical sensations, process emotional blockages, and develop greater emotional
resilience.
At Help Clinic Canada, our trained somatic therapists specialize in helping individuals heal through the
body. If you’re ready to explore the mind-body connection and start your journey toward healing, contact
us today to schedule a consultation.
References & Recommended Reading:
Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the tiger: Healing trauma—The innate capacity to transform overwhelming experiences. North Atlantic Books.
Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. W. W. Norton & Company.
van der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.Rothschild, B. (2000). The body remembers: The psychophysiology of trauma and trauma treatment. W. W. Norton & Company.