What is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy, a holistic approach to healing that considers the mind-body connection, has gained increasing recognition for its profound impact on mental health and well-being. In this comprehensive blog, we will delve into the essence of somatic therapy, explore various types of somatic therapy, and unravel the tons of benefits it offers to those seeking a more embodied and balanced life.
When most people think of therapy, they picture talk-therapy. As in its name, it actually means talking to a therapist. That’s where you would share your story and the contents to the therapist.
Somatic therapy involves less talking and more sitting with the feeling, your breath, and your body. Somatic therapy came to light when researchers found that we hold trauma in our body. These include muscle tension and pain, how you move and your gestures, your breathing pattern, numbness and dissociation etc.
Other ways to engage with your body somatically are…
yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, massage, stretching, and anything that involves movement and sensations!
Core Principles of somatic therapy
Embodied Experience: Somatic therapy emphasizes the awareness of bodily sensations, encouraging you to reconnect with you physical experiences to gain insight into your emotional states.
Mind-Body Connection: Recognizing the bidirectional relationship between the mind and body, somatic therapy views emotional and psychological struggles as manifesting in bodily sensations and vice versa.
Types of Somatic Therapy
A. Somatic Experiencing
Somatic experiencing focuses on the body's physical sensations and the way they relate to emotional experiences and trauma. The therapist helps individuals renegotiate and heal from trauma by paying attention to bodily sensations, promoting self-regulation, and addressing the impacts of the fight, flight, or freeze responses. The goal is to discharge the energy associated with trauma and restore a sense of safety and well-being.
B. Hakomi Therapy
Hakomi Therapy, rooted in mindfulness and Eastern philosophy, focuses on the mind-body connection to explore how beliefs and experiences are held in the body. Through gentle techniques, individuals gain awareness and transform limiting patterns.
C. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy blends cognitive and somatic approaches to address trauma and stress. By integrating movement and mindfulness, this therapy helps clients renegotiate traumatic experiences stored in the body.
D. Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy
Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy centers on inner bodily sensations as a gateway to emotional healing. Clients are guided to pay attention to the "felt sense," leading to profound insights and transformative shifts.
What does a Somatic Therapy session look like?
A somatic therapy session can vary depending on the specific approach used, but generally, it involves a focus on the connection between the mind and body. Here's what a somatic therapy session might look like:
Intake and Assessment:
When your session begins, your therapist will do an intake interview to gather information about the your history, current challenges, and goals. You therapist will also assess your physical and emotional state, paying attention to body language, posture, and other somatic cues.
Body Awareness:
You will be guided to become more aware of your bodily sensations, including tension, relaxation, warmth, or numbness.
Breathing exercises may be introduced to help you connect with your breath and notice any patterns or restrictions.
Exploration of Somatic Responses:
Your therapist will encourage you to explore and describe any sensations, emotions, or memories arising in the body during the session. You’ll be invited to incorporate movement and gestures to help release physical tension and express emotions.
Mind-Body Connection:
Your therapist will facilitate the exploration of how emotions and memories are held in your body and influence your physical sensations. You will be encouraged to notice the links between your thoughts, emotions, and bodily responses.
Resourcing and Regulation:
Your therapist will help you develop tools for self-regulation, such as grounding techniques or self-soothing practices. Positive resources, like pleasant memories or images, may be introduced to support you in moments of distress.
Trauma Processing:
If you are coming in for trauma, your therapist will help you process and integrate traumatic experiences by paying attention to sensations and emotions without re-traumatizing you.
Closure and Integration:
The session concludes with a discussion of your experiences and any insights you gained. Your therapist may ask you to practice exercises to support ongoing integration between sessions.
How will Somatic Therapy benefit you?
A. Trauma Resolution
Somatic therapy is particularly effective in trauma resolution. By addressing trauma stored in the body, you can release and process these experiences, leading to a more integrated sense of self.
B. Stress Reduction
The mind-body techniques employed in somatic therapy contribute to stress reduction. Practices such as deep breathing, movement, and mindfulness promote relaxation and help regulate the nervous system.
C. Increased Self-Awareness
Somatic therapy enhances self-awareness by encouraging you to attune to their bodily sensations. This heightened awareness fosters a deeper understanding of emotions, triggers, and patterns.
D. Improved Emotional Regulation
Through somatic techniques, you will learn to regulate your emotions effectively. This newfound capacity for emotional regulation will empower to navigate life's challenges with resilience.
E. Enhanced Mindfulness
Somatic therapy inherently incorporates mindfulness practices, cultivating a heightened state of present-moment awareness. This mindfulness extends beyond the therapy session, positively impacting daily life.
Shikha is a therapist/owner of The Therapeutic Way, Counselling and Psychotherapy Services. She is a relationship and relational trauma therapist who works with individuals, couples, and families who have been on the receiving end of narcissistic abuse, gone through trauma, experiencing relationship issues, and experienced attachment wounds as a child or adult. She uses a trauma-informed and holistic approaches to help her clients.
Thinking of therapy? Schedule your free 20 mins consultation call to see how we can help.
For more information reach us at info@thetherapeuticway.ca or call/text (289) 635-4660.
Therapy services: Online Anywhere in Ontario; Hamilton, ON; Burlington, ON, Oakville, ON; Mississauga, ON; Milton, ON.
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Online therapy is as effective as in person therapy. What is most important with any format of therapy is the strong therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist. Online therapy is a good option when coming in-person is not feasible, when you have dependents at home, and it is also more convenient.
At The Therapeutic Way, we offer online therapy and therapy by phone from the convenience of your home. Click here to learn more about our online therapy.
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Not necessarily. Online therapy and in-person therapy are usually the same cost as their effectiveness are the same. Online therapy can also be most cost effective for the client as transportation is not involved. Now, there are therapy apps or programs that area available to clients that are cheaper than traditional therapy. However, the effectiveness of those programs are questionable, and they are most likely not covered by insurance.
At The Therapeutic Way, we offer online therapy with a registered psychotherapist that is covered by most insurance providers and helps you save the cost of transportation.
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There are many different types of therapist that you can choose from. Before reaching out to a therapist, it’s important to know what issue you would like to work on. A tip is to seek out a therapist who specializes the issue and problem you are facing with. For example, if you would like to work on trauma, a therapist who focuses on eating disorders may not be the best fit.
It is also important to decide what type of therapist you are looking for, such as gender, experience, their approaches to therapy, etc. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance provider which type of therapist they cover. A lot of therapists offer free consultation calls for you to decide they are a right fit.
At The Therapeutic Way, we specializes in relationship issues, relational trauma, narcissistic abuse recovery, and attachment wounds. We work with adults, couples, and families over the age of 16.
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The type of therapy that is best for you, depends on you as a person and the reason you are seeking therapy. There are different types of therapy, such as somatic-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma-informed therapies, holistic therapy, existential therapy, and more. The type of therapy that is right for you will depend what you are looking for. While you may have an input in this, majority of the time the therapist will know what is best suited for you and will let you know.
At The Therapeutic Way, we work with clients using an integrative approach to therapy, meaning using different modalities to suit your needs. We use a trauma-informed, holistic, and relational approach to working with you. Click here to learn more.
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The term psychotherapy and counselling are often used interchangeably with some slight differences. Psychotherapy refers to the treatment based for psychological disorders and mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. Counselling refers to wellness support and providing insights and clarity which leads to growth or personal betterment. At The Therapeutic Way, we provide both psychotherapy and counselling.
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The difference between psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist, depends on education and scope of practice.
Psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist can provide therapy called talk therapy.
A psychotherapist can provide therapy under the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario, a psychologist can provide therapy under the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and a psychiatrist can provide therapy under College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
Difference:
Psychotherapist Education: Master’s Degree or higher
Psychologist Education: PhD or PsyD.
Psychiatrist: MD
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Psychotherapist: Can’t diagnose
Psychologist: Can do assessment and diagnose
Psychiatrist: Can do assessment, diagnose, and prescribe medication
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Psychotherapist Training: Counselling and focus on therapy techniques
Psychologist: Focus on clinical research and assessment
Psychiatrist: Use medical treatment such as prescribing medications for mental health conditions
Before seeking help, it’s important to know what you need and are seeking. A consultation call can help you decide.
At The Therapeutic Way, we are registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario.