Somatics
“Awareness changes how we physically move. As we become more fluid and resilient so do the mental, emotional and spiritual movements of our lives.”
Somatics is a field of study and practice that focuses on the internal experience of the body, emphasizing movement, awareness, and self-regulation. It integrates aspects of bodywork, movement therapy, and mindfulness to help individuals develop a deeper connection to their bodily sensations, improve movement patterns, and release tension.
The term somatics comes from the Greek word soma, meaning "the living body." While the roots of somatic practices go back to ancient healing traditions that transcend time and culture, the modern field emerged in the 20th century through pioneers like Thomas Hanna, Wilhelm Reich, and Alexander Lowen, who explored the link between body awareness and emotional healing. You can read more here: What is Somatics?
What is Somatic Psychotherapy?
Somatic psychotherapy is a field of body-based therapies that explore the role of developmental, social & cultural events and how they shape our embodiment and identity. They use techniques such as mindful movement, breathwork, and body awareness exercises to help you reconnect with your body’s wisdom. This approach is especially effective for addressing trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress, supporting healing by integrating mind and body.
By opening communication between our conscious and unconscious selves, between our mind and body-mind, we begin to make connections that were previously unknown us. Because past/ongoing trauma, or other emotional or psychological challenges, may have a negative effect on your autonomic nervous system, it is possible that you may also be affected by physical concerns such as:chronic painmuscle tension in specific parts of your bodysexual dysfunctionhormonal issuesdigestive issuesheadachesnumbness/ lack of sensation
In our work, we would build compassionate awareness of our bodily sensations and learn to use trauma-informed therapeutic techniques to gently and slowly begin to move, dialogue with, or release any tension, memory or pain that the body-mind is holding onto.
Techniques I use in somatic psychotherapy include:breathing exercisesBrainspottingEMDRsensation awareness & trackingbuilding emotional relationship with the physical bodyphysical movementresourcingtitration- the ability to oscillate attention between feeling distressing sensation or memory and feeling resourced & calm.grounding exercisesguided meditation & mindfulnessboundary workself-regulation/ Vagus Nerve SupportEnergy work & awareness
Is Somatic Psychotherapy possible virtually?
Yes, absolutely! Discovering and feeling into your body can be done anywhere, including from the comfort of your own home. As your therapist, I will help you learn how to discover sensations and feel your feelings in your body. I will provide tools and practices that can help you get comfortable noticing, understanding, and responding to the physical sensations in your body. We can practice together in session, and you can use the tools to practice between sessions. For some people, somatic psychotherapy is even more possible and fulfilling when explored in such depths in a safe space such as your own environment.