What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-based therapy that focuses on the connection between mind and body. Trauma is stored in the body, so connecting with your body helps you release muscle tension with the intention of healing. Unlike with talk therapy, you will focus more on releasing trauma from the body. It is also common for body-based therapy to be done in conjunction with standard talk therapy.
This body-based therapy offers a wide range of benefits for well-being, including:
- Mind-body connection helping you feel calmer
- Stress reduction to be able to manage life’s challenges more effectively
- Trauma healing to let go past memories and beliefs that no longer serve you
- Empowerment to feel grounded in all situations
Mind-body therapy is an effective way to release trauma stored in the body and find safety and comfort in the present moment.
Body-Centered Therapy in WPB and Miami
At Evolve Therapy & Counseling in WPB, Downtown Miami, and Brickell, we offer a holistic and effective approach to trauma healing. You are guided step by step to release trauma stored in the body in a safe and supportive environment to ensure that things of the past no longer affect you. This helps you to feel calmer and clear to build the life you desire today and a future you deserve.
Somatic therapy is an important part of the Sovereign Body Method™, a structured approach developed by our founder, Liz Chelak, LCSW, CCTSI, CRPS to ensure our clients feel connected to their bodies and their internal guidance.
Understanding Somatic Therapy
Definition and Core Principles
Our mental and emotional state can influence our physical health. And the opposite is true as well- the state of our physical body affects our thoughts and feelings. We all know the feeling of being irritable when hungry. This is the mind-body connection at work.
When we experience trauma, our bodies develop “stress hormones” such as cortisol and adrenaline.
In some people, an excess of these hormones can cause:
- Cardiovascular issues
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Immune system problems
- Insomnia
- Musculoskeletal issues
- Skin conditions
Body-based therapy in WPB and Miami helps us release the negative emotions and memories stored in the body, allowing us to reduce the negative effects of stress hormones.
Relaxing your body can help you regulate your nervous system and emotions. Throughout this process, you will develop coping skills to help you deal with difficult situations. This makes you more resilient to future challenges at work and in your personal life and relationships.
Address your emotional and physical symptoms to help:
- Go from anxious to calm, even in chaos
- Improve mood and emotional regulation to help make healthier decisions
- Reduced physical and emotional pain
- Improved sleep and therefore health
- Improved relationships so you can feel connected and supported by those around you
Our West Palm Beach and Miami therapists are skilled in helping clients shift patterns stored in the body and go deeper to let go of what’s truly been holding you back. Your sessions are an opportunity to find the specific practices that work for you and your life.
Benefits of Somatic Therapy in Palm Beach and Miami
The reason talk therapy might not be working for you anymore is that our bodies remember a lot of moments we felt unsafe. If this energy is not released, you carry the tension with you for years. Too much tension means we do not have access to certain areas of our brain for more cognitive work. That is why we begin with body-based work.
Benefits include:
- Feeling more relaxed both physically and emotionally
- Having specific tools to handle anxiety and feel grounded when it comes
- Feeling safe and more comfortable in your body
- Ability to understand your feelings and use them as guidance
- Understand yourself and your patterns
- Improved body image and confidence
Somatic trauma therapy is a holistic approach that honors the body, brain, and spirit’s interconnectedness while empowering you to heal from past traumatic experiences and reclaim control of your life.
The mind-body connection can help you manage strong emotions more effectively and become more attuned to your body’s signals.
Is Somatic Therapy Evidence-Based?
Somatic therapy shows promise as a treatment for PTSD. Studies have shown it can be effective in reducing trauma symptoms.
According to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology, this form of therapy reduced trauma symptoms by 60%.
Common Techniques
What to Expect in Somatic Therapy
To prepare for therapy:
- There are no prerequisites for somatic therapy, meaning you can have no experience in somatic work. Your counselor is there to support you every step of the way.
- Your therapist will begin sessions by gathering some information about you, your current challenges, and your goals.
- In each session, you will receive psychoeducation on somatic techniques and have the opportunity to practice them with your therapist.
- Once you find the somatic practices that work well for you, you can practice them in between sessions to find connection and relief.
Sessions are designed to give you a space to identify which tools are right for you, practice them with your counselor, and refine your skills after you practice in your life.
Remember that you can ask your WPB or Miami therapist any questions or share any concerns you may have. The more truthful you are, the better the quality of help you can receive.
I found that in my experience, clients who participated in body-based therapy for 6 weeks noticed a 50% decrease in post-traumatic symptom disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
Somatic techniques include:
- Breathwork: We will guide you through breathing exercises that will help you relax your body and alleviate anxiety, stress, and overwhelm. Breathing exercises are practical due to their accessibility and fast effectiveness.
- Five senses: We will guide you through using one of your five senses to relax your body.
- Movement: We will help you learn skills to help you identify and release tension in your body.
- Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help you manage stress, anxiety, and trauma symptoms.
- And more
The type of somatic practice you will use depends on the current state of your nervous system and your needs. Your therapist will be able to tailor your somatic techniques specifically for you.
Different types of somatic therapy include:
- Somatic experiencing (SE): SE helps individuals relieve trauma stored in the body through breathing, meditation, and utilizing sensory perception. Somatic experiencing uses breathing, meditation, or other sensory modalities to heal from past traumas.
- Hakomi therapy: This form of somatic treatment uses mindful inquiry, experiential exercises, and bodywork to change limiting beliefs from trauma.
- Sensorimotor psychotherapy (SP): This therapy teaches you to self-regulate your nervous system to cope with emotions.
You and your therapist will discuss and work together to decide which form of therapy is right for you.
What Is the Most Effective Treatment for Somatic Symptom Disorder?
Although it may seem counterintuitive, somatic therapy is not typically the first line of treatment for somatic symptoms disorder (SSD). The best treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, body-based relaxation skills can be beneficial for individuals with SSD because they help utilize specific techniques to alleviate stress and anxiety associated with SSD.
Somatic Therapy For Specific Concerns
Somatic therapy can address a wide range of conditions, such as:
- Trauma: Healing trauma can only happen when we release stored trauma from the body.
- Anxiety: Anxiety cannot exist in a relaxed body, so treatment focuses on muscle relaxation.
- Chronic pain: Identify and manage physical tension that may be contributing to discomfort.
- Relationship issues: Improving awareness of body and emotional regulation can improve your communication in relationships.
- Substance use disorders: Body awareness and relaxation can help manage triggers that lead to substance use.
- Eating disorders: Develop a healthier body image and relationship with food.
Try somatic therapy in WPB, Downtown Miami, or Brickell today and experience somatic healing and personal growth.
Finding a Somatic Therapist in WPB and Miami
To find a somatic therapist, you can:
- Read about therapists online
- Ask your doctor for a referral
- Search online directories
- Read about our therapists at Evolve Therapy & Counseling
At Evolve Therapy & Counseling, our therapists are passionate about helping their communities in Palm Beach and Brickell using trauma science to support emotional and physiological attunement. We are excited about guiding you through the process of connecting to your body to help you feel less stress, anxiety, insomnia, and trauma symptoms.
Does Insurance Cover Somatic Therapy?
Yes, insurance does cover somatic therapy. Reach out to see if your specific plan covers therapy.
If you are ready to start somatic experiencing, contact us today to schedule a consultation in West Palm Beach, Miami, or online with one of our caring therapists. With locations across Palm Beach County, from Boca Raton to Palm Beach Gardens, and in Miami, we make healing accessible to you.
Sources: Frontiers, Somatic experiencing: using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy by Peter Payne, et al.