Somatic Therapy

While talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focus on the mind when treating mental health conditions, somatic therapy is a unique approach that aims to treat PTSD and other mental health disorders by helping release tension, stress, and trauma from the body. This page discusses somatic therapy for trauma, PTSD, and other conditions. You will learn:

• What somatic therapy is
• Popular somatic therapy techniques
• Types of somatic therapy
• The benefits of this approach
• What conditions it is used to treat

For immediate assistance or support, please call now to speak with a team member at Agape Behavioral Center.

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body, aiming to help individuals process and release stored physical tension related to past traumas or emotional stress. 

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which primarily addresses mental and emotional issues through conversation, somatic therapy incorporates physical techniques to address how the lingering effects of trauma manifest in the body.

Somatic Therapy Techniques

Somatic therapy includes several relaxation and mindfulness techniques, including:

• Grounding –  Grounding techniques involve connecting with the present moment through physical sensations, such as feeling your feet on the floor or focusing on your breath, to reduce anxiety and create a sense of stability.
• Breathwork – Breathwork uses controlled breathing exercises to calm the nervous system, increase bodily awareness, and help release tension or emotions stored in the body.
• Body awareness – This technique encourages individuals to focus on and become more aware of their bodily sensations, helping them identify and process emotions or stress held within the body.
• Touch/massage – Gentle touch or massage is used to release physical tension, enhance bodily awareness, and promote the physical release of emotions or trauma stored in the muscles.
• Pendulation – During pendulation, the therapist guides the client between states of tension and relaxation to help them safely process traumatic experiences without becoming overwhelmed.
• Titration – Titration is the gradual exposure to traumatic memories or emotions in small, manageable doses, allowing the body to process these experiences without triggering overwhelming reactions.

Types of Somatic Therapy

Several different types of somatic therapy may use the techniques described above. The most widely used somatic therapies include:

• Somatic Experiencing (SE) – Somatic Experiencing focuses on helping individuals process and release trauma by working with the body’s natural stress responses. SE emphasizes gradual exposure to traumatic memories, using techniques like pendulation and titration to prevent overwhelming emotions and promote healing.
• Sensorimotor psychotherapy – This method integrates body awareness and movement into traditional talk therapy, helping clients explore how their emotions and traumas are expressed physically. It is often used to treat trauma, attachment issues, and emotional dysregulation.
• Hakomi method – The Hakomi Method combines mindfulness and body-centered techniques to help clients access and change unconscious beliefs and emotional patterns.
• Biodynamic psychotherapy – This approach emphasizes the body’s natural energy flow and its role in emotional and psychological health. Techniques include gentle touch, massage, and bodywork to release tension and restore balance to the body’s energy systems.
• Trauma release exercise (TRE) – TRE involves specific exercises designed to activate the body’s natural tremor mechanism, releasing deep-seated muscular tension and stress. It is particularly effective for individuals dealing with trauma or chronic stress.
• Integrative body psychotherapy (IBP) – IBP combines body awareness, breathwork, and talk therapy to address the interconnectedness of physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts. It focuses on helping clients develop a strong sense of self and improve their emotional regulation.

Each of these therapies strengthens the mind-body connection to help individuals heal from the effects of trauma.

Benefits of Somatic Therapy

Unlike traditional talk therapies that focus solely on cognitive and emotional aspects, somatic therapy recognizes that physical symptoms often reflect underlying emotional or psychological issues. By working with the body through techniques like breathwork, grounding, and body awareness, clients can release tension and stress stored in the muscles, which might have accumulated from past traumas or ongoing emotional struggles, leading to significant relief.

Another key benefit of somatic therapy is its effectiveness in trauma recovery. Trauma can disrupt the body’s natural equilibrium, leading to chronic tension, pain, or other physical symptoms. Somatic therapy provides a safe and controlled way to process and release these stored traumatic energies. 

Techniques like pendulation and titration allow clients to explore traumatic memories and associated physical sensations without becoming overwhelmed. This gradual approach helps rebuild a sense of safety and control, reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and improving overall emotional resilience and self-esteem.

Conditions Treated

Disturbing emotions can show up in a number of ways which somatic therapy aims to treat. These emotions can stem from a range of conditions and circumstances, including:

• Trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)
• Anxiety disorders such as panic disorder
• Depression
• Grief and loss
• Substance use disorders
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Somatic therapy can also help people with trust and intimacy issues or self-esteem problems.

Get Treatment for Trauma & PTSD Today

At Agape Behavioral Center, we understand that mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to provide the highest quality treatment and support for clients in Fort Pierce who are struggling with their mental health. 

We believe in the power of connection, empathy, and understanding, and we strive to create a safe treatment experience where everyone feels valued. Agape is love. Join our community and find the support you need by contacting us today.