Somatic Therapy

Somatic Therapy Process

There's been quite a bit of buzz in recent years about Somatic Therapy for help with trauma and anxiety. I'll explain the differences between somatic therapy and traditional talk therapy. If you've ever been curious about the various ways we can approach mental health this material is for you, help is available!

How Somatic Therapy Works

Somatic therapy is a type of therapy that focuses on the connection between our minds and bodies. It's fascinating because it recognizes that our bodies can store emotional experiences, and sometimes we need to address these physical sensations to fully heal.

In somatic therapy, the therapist might guide you to notice and explore physical sensations in your body. They could use techniques like deep breathing, mindful movement, or even touch to help release tension and emotions stored in your muscles. It's all about becoming more aware of how our physical state is linked to our emotional well-being.

Somatic vs Talk Therapy

Traditional talk therapy, or psychotherapy as we sometimes call it, is what most of us think of when we hear the word "therapy." This is where you sit down with a therapist and talk through your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The idea is that by discussing your issues, you can gain insights and find ways to cope better.

There are different types of talk therapy, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and post-modern or narrative therapy, but they all share a common goal: to help you understand and change the way you think and feel through conversation.

Somatic Therapy: How It Works

Focus

• Somatic Therapy: This is all about tuning into your body. It's about noticing where you might be holding tension or experiencing physical sensations related to your emotions.
• Talk Therapy: Here, the primary focus is on your thoughts and feelings. It’s about exploring your mental and emotional landscape through dialogue.

Techniques

• Somatic Therapy: Techniques might include breathwork, mindful movement, grounding exercises, and sometimes even touch. It's very experiential and body-centered.
• Talk Therapy: This uses conversation as the main tool. You might discuss your past, explore your current thoughts and feelings, and work on changing negative thinking patterns.

Healing Approach

• Somatic Therapy: It’s based on the idea that emotional trauma and stress are stored in the body, and by releasing this physical tension, you can also heal emotionally.
• Talk Therapy: It focuses on the power of verbal expression. By talking about your issues, you can gain clarity and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Client Experience

• Somatic Therapy: You might be guided through exercises that increase your awareness of bodily sensations, like a body scan or mindful movement.
• Talk Therapy: You’ll spend your sessions talking with your therapist about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Integration of Somatic and Talk Therapy

Personally, I think there’s value in both approaches. Sometimes we need to talk things out to understand what’s going on in our minds. Other times, we might need to get in touch with our bodies to fully release and process emotions.

As therapists we actually combine both methods. For instance, during a talk therapy session, we might also guide you through a breathing exercise to help calm your nervous system. This holistic approach can be incredibly effective, especially if you’ve experienced trauma or C-PTSD.

In the end, both somatic therapy and traditional talk therapy offer valuable tools for healing. It's about finding what works best for you. If you’re more comfortable with talking, starting with traditional therapy might be the way to go. If you’re curious about the body-mind connection, somatic therapy could provide some powerful insights and relief.

So, next time you’re thinking about therapy, consider these different approaches. Whether you choose to talk it out or tune into your body, the most important thing is that you’re taking steps towards healing and well-being.

Something we didn't answer? We'll gladly discuss the process just reach out by calling the office, we've love to assist you on your path to healing, call our office at 435.216.8839 or reach us on the contact us page.