The Transformative Power of Somatic Therapy
Carli Du Toit, MA, RCC, VITALITY COLLECTIVE Vancouver THERAPIST
What is somatic therapy?
In the pursuit of psychological and emotional well-being, traditional therapeutic modalities predominantly rely on verbal communication and cognitive processing to help individuals address distress. Somatic therapy is a therapeutic approach that represents a departure from traditional “talk therapy” by placing a distinct emphasis on the body's role in the therapeutic process. While both modalities aim to promote emotional integration and well-being, somatic therapy recognizes the inextricable connection between the mind, body, and emotions, thereby offering a unique and transformative approach to therapy.
Somatic therapy was developed as a response to emerging research suggesting that psychological and emotional distress are not solely confined to the mind but also deeply embedded in the body. When a person experiences distress, whether it be a single distressing event or a prolonged series of adverse experiences, the body's natural response systems become activated as a protective mechanism. These responses (think fight or flight) help to mobilize resources to deal with the threat and return to safety. However, in cases where the distress overwhelms a person’s existing coping mechanisms or ability to process and integrate these experiences, the body's physiological and sensory systems may retain the imprints of the distressing experience in an ongoing bid for safety.
Unprocessed emotional and psychological distress disrupts the body’s natural regulatory processes and can lead to chronic dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system. The body may "remember" the emotions and sensations associated with the distressing event, leading to ongoing physical and sensory manifestations even when the conscious memory of the event may be fragmented or repressed. Therefore, somatic therapy seeks to address emotional and psychological distress by engaging the body in the therapeutic process, facilitating the release, regulation, and integration of the distress for healing and restoration.
What does somatic therapy entail?
A somatic therapist will guide you in developing a heightened awareness of your bodily sensations, expressions, and movements. Attuning to the present moment and the felt senses in the body enables you to access implicit memories and unconscious patterns, leading to a deeper exploration and understanding of your experiences and their underlying emotions. By cultivating somatic awareness, you also become more attuned to the subtle shifts and physical sensations associated with various emotions, such as tension, tightness, or discomfort in specific areas of the body.
Once you start to develop more somatic awareness, your therapist will then guide you in practices that support the release of emotional and psychological tension. Somatic techniques and practices such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and gentle movement can be employed to consciously relax and release physical and muscular tension associated with distress. By focusing on the present moment and the body's sensations, you also cultivate a sense of safety and grounding in the body, which further facilitates the release and integration of distress. Moreover, somatic awareness can help you to develop a compassionate and non-judgmental relationship with your emotions. Rather than suppressing or avoiding emotions, somatic therapy encourages individuals to embrace and explore their feelings with curiosity and acceptance.
Overall, somatic therapy provides a powerful pathway for releasing and resolving distress by bringing conscious attention to the body's sensations and actively engaging in practices that support relaxation, emotional exploration, and self-compassion. By engaging with these somatic interventions, individuals can release physical tension, discharge accumulated stress, regulate the nervous system, and promote emotional integration.
Who can benefit from somatic therapy or somatic practices?
Somatic practices, such as body awareness exercises, breathwork, and movement, can be beneficial for anyone looking for a deeper and more holistic exploration of their mental and emotional well-being. However, somatic therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals with various forms of trauma-related presentations. This includes individuals who have experienced acute or chronic trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence.
Somatic therapy offers a safe and supportive space to process and release the stored trauma, working with the body's somatic imprints to promote healing and integration. It can also be helpful for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues, as it provides tools and interventions to regulate the nervous system and release tension. Additionally, somatic therapy can benefit individuals with somatic symptom disorders or chronic pain, as it addresses the physiological and sensory aspects of these conditions and supports the restoration of balance in the body.
It is important to consider individual circumstances, preferences, and readiness for somatic approaches. Ultimately, the decision to engage in somatic practices or somatic therapy should be made on an individual basis, in collaboration with a qualified therapist or healthcare professional who can assess your specific needs, goals, and suitability of these approaches.
References
Afari, N., Ahumada, S. M., Wright, L. J., Mostoufi, S., Golnari, G., Reis, V., & Cuneo, J. G. (2014). Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosomatic medicine, 76(1), 2.
Braga, R. J., & Petrides, G. (2007). Somatic therapies for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, 29, S77-S84.
Hartley, L. (2004). Somatic psychology: Body, mind and meaning. John Wiley & Sons.
Porges, S. W. (2018). Polyvagal theory: A primer. Clinical applications of the polyvagal theory: The emergence of polyvagal-informed therapies, 50(3), 69.