Through years of research and personal experiences, there is no doubt that our mental state significantly impacts our physical body. Hence, when we talk about trauma recovery, somatic therapy emerges as a holistic and impactful approach that transcends traditional talk therapy.
By playing with the mind-body connection, therapists have created a whole world of somatic interventions. This article talks about those interventions, going into specific techniques and principles that make them a potent method for treating trauma at both physical and emotional levels.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy, also known as somatic psychotherapy, is a therapeutic approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind and body. Treatment modalities are rooted in the belief that traumatic experiences can be stored in the body. So each action aims to emphasize the importance of engaging physical sensations and body awareness for effective healing.
The Mind-Body Connection and Present Moment Awareness
Somatic therapists view the mind and body as intricately linked entities. It highlights the significance of addressing traumatic events or emotional experiences when treating somatic symptoms, and vice versa.
For instance, chronic pain from an unknown cause is often synonymous with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Similarly, other such aches can become a tangible manifestation of unresolved trauma, underscoring the need for therapeutic approaches that encompass both mental health and physical well-being.
Exploring Somatic Techniques
Various somatic techniques, including body awareness, grounding, pendulation, and resourcing, can contribute to the release of muscle tension and the restoration of a sense of safety.
Let’s talk about somatic techniques in a little more detail:
- Body awareness: This technique involves recognizing areas of tension in the body and using that knowledge to release that tension via muscle stretches or healing hands.
- Grounding: This act aims at connecting your mind to your body and the earth. It involves feeling the connection of your body with the earth. It helps calm your nerves and gives your brain something else to focus on.
- Pendulation: This is a therapist-guided technique that takes you from your normal, relaxed state to one reminiscent of your traumatic experience and then back to relaxation. While it may seem awkward and anxiety-inducing at first, it helps you release the fear and negative emotions associated with your trauma and be less sensitive to it.
- Titration: During this technique, a therapist guides you through your trauma memory. You are asked to notice any physical changes (such as an increased heart rate) that you might feel while you do this. Then, the therapist helps you navigate the physical symptoms as you experience them, helping you reclaim calmness and relaxation.
- Sequencing: This technique involves recognizing the body sensations in the order they leave your body as tension is released and you feel relaxed. For example, some people may feel breathless and lightheaded as they return to their calm state. Recognizing this sequence helps you be more aware of your body during anxious moments.
- Resourcing: This technique involves recalling resources that make you relax. It could be a friend, a pet, or even a place. It can include anything that makes you feel calm. You then recall these things in stressful moments to help yourself relax.
Types Of Somatic Therapies
Diverse somatic approaches, ranging from Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to the Hakomi method, offer specific interventions to unlock the body’s healing potential. They focus on the connection between our mind and our body and use that to help us heal from our trauma.
Here are some of the modalities that are used in the world of somatic therapies:
Somatic Therapy in PTSD Treatment:
Somatic therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have proven to be remarkably effective in terms of the treatment of PTSD. These treatments have been endorsed by trauma treatment researcher Bessel Van der Kolk. They incorporate somatic interventions with cognitive manipulation to maximize treatment effects.
Somatic Experiencing
This type of therapy is aimed at treating the body’s response to traumatic situations. Like titration, your therapist asks you to describe your trauma in detail. Or, they may ask you to describe what you feel when you recall your traumatic memory. Then, they help you deal with the physical feeling of discomfort, helping your body cope with the memory in a better way
Neurosomatic Therapy
It is a holistic approach to wellness and pain relief that integrates principles from neurology, anatomy, and biomechanics. It focuses on the relationship between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, aiming to identify and address the root causes of pain and dysfunction in the body.
This type of therapy recognizes the central role of our nervous system in controlling and coordinating bodily functions. This therapy considers the impact of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions, and the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary movement. Neurosomatic therapists use precise muscle testing and biomechanical assessments to identify areas of dysfunction in our bodies. It helps to pinpoint the underlying causes of physical pain and discomfort.
Then, a manual approach is used to alleviate the pain and discomfort in these areas. Techniques like myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and soft tissue manipulation may be used to aid the healing process. It also focuses on postural imbalances and helps to correct them.
Somatic Psychology:
Somatic psychology dates back to the works of Wilhelm Reich in the 1930s. It has since transitioned from cathartic approaches to more contained and mindful methods. The treatment approach now employs modern somatic approaches that emphasize staying descriptive, deepening awareness, and developing boundaries.
It helps harbor a deeper mind-body connection, which helps us become more aware of how our body reacts to sensations around us. It helps us regulate our emotions by understanding our body’s cues and controlling them accordingly.
Hakomi Method
The Hakomi method is centered around mindfulness and Western psychology to facilitate self-discovery and emotional healing. This method was developed by Ron Kurtz in the 1970s and is grounded in the idea that much of our mental and emotional patterns are held in the body. Exploring these patterns can lead to profound insights and transformation.
For this method, the therapist first creates an environment of acceptance and non-judgment. Then, they employ different techniques that will resurface old memories and past trauma. While they do this, they ask you to be mindful of what your body is feeling. They then pick up on these cues and help you navigate through them with ease.
Icons In The World Of Somatic Therapies
While we talk about the wonders that somatic psychotherapies have done in the world of trauma treatment, we can’t ignore the people who helped it evolve. Renowned figures such as Dr. Arielle Schwartz and Dr. Peter Levine have significantly shaped the landscape of somatic therapy.
Dr. Schwartz is a licensed clinical psychologist. She developed resilience-informed therapy, which integrates EMDR therapy, somatic psychology, and relational psychotherapy to address all aspects of trauma treatment fully.
Dr. Peter Levine is recognized for his work on somatic experience. He emphasized the crucial role the autonomic nervous system plays in trauma resolution.
In Conclusion
Somatic interventions encompassing different techniques and therapies unlock a whole new potential for the treatment of trauma survivors. It gives rise to a new treatment approach in trauma therapy that offers a promising and comprehensive path to recovery. By acknowledging the intricate mind-body connection and leveraging specific interventions, somatic therapy addresses not only the symptoms but also the core of traumatic experiences, cultivating a wholesome recovery experience.
As the field continues to evolve, somatic therapy stands as a beacon guiding individuals toward resilience, recovery, and a renewed sense of well-being in their journey of comprehensive trauma healing.