What is Somatic Trauma Therapy?

Somatic (from the Greek word ‘somat’, meaning body) psychotherapy bridges the mind-body dichotomy recognizing that emotion, behavior, sensation, impulse, energy, action, gesture, meaning and language all originate in physical experiences. Thinking is not an abstract function but motivates, or is motivated by, physical expression and action. A somatic approach to trauma treatment can be effective by examining how past traumatic experiences cause physical symptoms (e.g., bodily anesthesia or motor inhibitions) which in turn affect emotion regulation, cognition and daily functioning.

Understanding Somatic Trauma Therapy

Somatic Trauma Therapy, also known as Somatic Experiencing (SE) or body-centered therapy, is a specialized approach to trauma treatment that recognizes the complex interplay between the body and mind. Somatic Trauma Therapy focuses on the physiological responses to trauma and stress, aiming to release stored tension and restore the body’s natural equilibrium.

Key Principles of Somatic Trauma Therapy

These components work together to help clients process and heal from trauma, reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, and promote overall physical and emotional well-being. By addressing both the mind and body, somatic therapy offers a comprehensive approach to trauma recovery.

Body-Mind Connection

Somatic Trauma Therapy views trauma as not just a psychological event but also a physiological one. It acknowledges that traumatic experiences can become trapped in the body, leading to chronic tension, hypervigilance, and emotional dysregulation.

Safety & Stabilization

Before addressing traumatic memories directly, therapists prioritize establishing a sense of safety and stabilization. This may involve building coping skills, grounding techniques, and fostering a supportive therapeutic environment

Somatic Awareness

Clients are guided to develop greater awareness of bodily sensations, emotions, and physiological responses associated with trauma. This increased awareness facilitates the processing and integration of traumatic experiences.

Titration & Pendulation

Therapists use techniques such as titration (working with small, manageable pieces of trauma material) and pendulation (moving between activation and relaxation states) to regulate the intensity of therapeutic work and prevent overwhelm.

Resourcing

Resourcing involves identifying internal and external supports that clients can draw upon during therapy to regulate distress and maintain stability. These resources enhance resilience and facilitate the healing process. 

Common Ways Somatic Therapy is Practised

These practices aim to help individuals become more attuned to their bodies, release physical and emotional tension, and ultimately heal from the effects of trauma. Each method can be tailored to meet the specific needs and comfort levels of the client, ensuring a personalized and effective therapeutic experience.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE focuses on releasing stored tension in the body caused by trauma. Therapists guide clients through awareness of bodily sensations, helping them process and release trauma in a gradual, controlled manner.

Body Awareness

Clients are encouraged to pay close attention to physical sensations, such as tension, pain, or tingling. This awareness helps identify where trauma is held in the body and how it manifests.

Grounding Techniques

Grounding exercises help clients stay present in the moment, reducing dissociation and anxiety. These may include deep breathing, feeling the ground with their feet, or focusing on physical objects around them.

Movement Therapy

Incorporates gentle movements to help clients release tension and trauma. Techniques can include stretching, yoga, dance, or other forms of mindful movement.

Touch Therapy

Safe, therapeutic touch is sometimes used to help clients become more aware of their bodily sensations and release stored trauma. This approach requires informed consent and sensitivity to the client’s comfort and boundaries.

Resourcing

Identifying and focusing on positive memories, feelings, or images that provide a sense of safety and comfort. This helps clients build resilience and counterbalance traumatic experiences.

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness practices help clients develop a deeper awareness of their body and mind, fostering a non-judgmental observation of their thoughts and sensations. This can include guided meditations focused on body awareness.

Breathwork

Techniques that involve controlled breathing to help regulate the nervous system and release tension. Breathwork can reduce stress and help clients feel more grounded.

Expressive Arts

Using creative activities such as drawing, painting, or writing to express and process emotions related to trauma. This can be particularly effective for those who find it difficult to articulate their experiences verbally.

Trauma Release Exercises (TRE)

A series of exercises designed to evoke the body’s natural tremoring response, which can help release deep-seated tension and trauma.

Neurofeedback

This involves using real-time monitoring of brain activity to help clients learn to regulate their physiological responses to stress and trauma.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)

Also known as tapping, EFT involves tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while focusing on traumatic memories or emotions to reduce their intensity.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

This approach integrates sensorimotor processing with cognitive and emotional processing to address the effects of trauma. It focuses on how trauma impacts the body and how physical actions and postures can influence emotional experiences.

Our Approach to Somatic Trauma Therapy

At Wisconsin Wellness, our therapists are trained in Somatic Trauma Therapy techniques and integrate them with other evidence-based modalities to create a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each client’s needs. We believe in a collaborative and empowering approach that honors each individual’s unique experiences and strengths.

We understand that trauma impacts both the mind and body, often manifesting in ways that traditional talk therapies alone cannot address. Our approach to Somatic Trauma Therapy is holistic, integrating body-centered techniques with psychotherapeutic practices to facilitate comprehensive healing.

Benefits of Somatic Trauma Therapy

Somatic Trauma Therapy offers a range of benefits for individuals recovering from trauma:

• Improved Emotional Regulation: By addressing the physiological aspects of trauma, clients learn to regulate emotions more effectively and manage triggers with greater resilience.
• Enhanced Body Awareness: Clients develop a deeper connection with their bodies, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-trust.
• Reduction of Physical Symptoms: Chronic pain, tension, and other physical symptoms associated with trauma can be alleviated as the body’s natural healing processes are activated.
• Integration of Traumatic Memories: Through gentle and structured approaches, traumatic memories are processed and integrated into the client’s overall narrative, reducing their disruptive impact on daily life.

Restoration of Resilience: Somatic Trauma Therapy helps clients rebuild a sense of safety, trust, and resilience in themselves and their relationships.

Common Issues Addressed in Somatic Trauma Therapy

Somatic Trauma Therapy is effective in addressing a wide range of trauma-related issues, including but not limited to:

Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Somatic therapy is particularly effective for individuals who have experienced trauma, including single-event traumas, complex trauma, and PTSD. It helps process and release trauma stored in the body, reducing symptoms such as flashbacks, hyperarousal, and emotional numbing.

Anxiety and Panic Disorders – By focusing on the physiological aspects of anxiety, such as muscle tension and rapid heartbeat, somatic therapy helps clients develop tools to manage anxiety and reduce panic attacks. Techniques like grounding and breathwork are commonly used to calm the nervous system.

Chronic Pain and Physical Symptoms – Somatic therapy addresses chronic pain conditions by helping clients become aware of and release tension and trauma held in the body. This can alleviate symptoms of conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and other forms of chronic pain.

Depression – Somatic therapy can help individuals with depression by reconnecting them with their bodily sensations and promoting physical movement, which can improve mood and energy levels. It also addresses the underlying trauma that may contribute to depressive symptoms.

Anxiety Disorders – For generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, and other anxiety-related conditions, somatic therapy provides techniques to manage and reduce anxiety by calming the body’s stress response.

Emotional Dysregulation – Individuals who struggle with regulating their emotions can benefit from somatic therapy, which helps them understand and manage their physiological responses to stress and emotional triggers.

Dissociation – Somatic therapy is effective in addressing dissociative symptoms by helping individuals stay grounded and present in their bodies, reducing episodes of dissociation and enhancing overall integration.

Addiction and Substance Use Disorders – Somatic therapy can be part of a comprehensive treatment plan for addiction, addressing the physical and emotional aspects of substance use disorders. It helps clients manage stress and trauma that may underlie addictive behaviors.

Grief and Loss – Somatic therapy supports individuals dealing with grief and loss by helping them process their emotions physically and emotionally, facilitating healing and acceptance.

Eating Disorders – Conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder can be addressed through somatic therapy by promoting body awareness and helping individuals develop a healthier relationship with their bodies.

Chronic Stress – For those experiencing chronic stress, somatic therapy provides techniques to reduce the body’s stress response and build resilience, promoting overall mental and physical health.

Childhood Trauma and Abuse – Somatic therapy is particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced childhood trauma or abuse, helping them process and heal from these early experiences stored in the body.

Emotional and Physical Dysregulation – Somatic therapy helps individuals with emotional and physical dysregulation, teaching them how to modulate their responses and achieve a more balanced state.

Sleep Disorders – Issues like insomnia can be addressed through somatic therapy by calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation techniques that improve sleep quality.

Somatic Symptoms and Conversion Disorders – Somatic therapy is effective in treating somatic symptom disorder and conversion disorders, where psychological distress is expressed as physical symptoms.

Interpersonal and Relationship Issues – By helping individuals understand and regulate their physiological responses to stress and conflict, somatic therapy can improve interpersonal relationships and communication.

Phobias and Fears – Somatic therapy can help individuals overcome specific phobias and fears by addressing the physical responses associated with these conditions and promoting gradual exposure and desensitization.

Anger Management – For those struggling with anger management, somatic therapy provides techniques to understand and regulate the physiological arousal associated with anger, promoting healthier expression and management of emotions.

Gender and Sexuality Issues – Somatic therapy can support individuals exploring issues related to gender and sexuality by providing a safe space to explore these aspects of identity and their physical and emotional experiences.

Self-Esteem and Body Image Issues – By fostering a deeper connection with the body and promoting positive body awareness, somatic therapy can help improve self-esteem and body image issues.

Accidents and Injuries – Trauma resulting from accidents, injuries, or medical procedures that have left a lasting impact on physical and emotional well-being.

Combat Trauma – Addressing trauma experienced by military personnel and veterans, including complex PTSD and moral injury.

Sexual Assault and Abuse – Supporting survivors of sexual violence in reclaiming their bodies and restoring a sense of safety and autonomy.

Natural Disasters – Coping with the aftermath of natural disasters or environmental trauma.

Each client’s journey in Somatic Trauma Therapy is unique, and our therapists work collaboratively to address specific concerns and goals for healing.

Getting Started with Somatic Therapy at Wisconsin Wellness

If you are interested in exploring Somatic Trauma Therapy at Wisconsin Wellness, we invite you to contact us to schedule an initial assessment. During this assessment, we will discuss your concerns, goals, and how somatic therapy can help you on your journey toward mental health and well-being.

For more information about our services or to make an appointment, please visit our website or call our Appleton office directly. Let Wisconsin Wellness guide you in embracing life’s challenges and committing to a healthier, more fulfilling future. Contact our Appleton, WI office with any specific questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.

FAQs About Somatic Trauma Therapy

What is somatic therapy, and how does it differ from traditional psychotherapy?

Somatic therapy, also known as somatic experiencing, is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the body-mind connection to treat trauma and stress-related disorders. Unlike traditional psychotherapy, which primarily addresses cognitive and emotional aspects, somatic therapy involves body psychotherapy techniques such as awareness of bodily sensations, breathing exercises, and movement. This approach helps regulate the nervous system, reduce chronic pain, and process traumatic memories stored in the body. Research indicates that somatic therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation.

How do I know if Somatic Trauma Therapy is right for me?

Somatic Trauma Therapy may be beneficial if you have experienced trauma that continues to impact your life, relationships, or sense of self. It is particularly helpful if you notice persistent physical symptoms, emotional dysregulation, or difficulty in feeling safe.

How long does Somatic Trauma Therapy take?

The duration of therapy varies depending on the complexity of trauma and individual goals. Some clients may experience significant relief in a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term support to achieve deeper healing and integration.

Are Somatic Trauma Therapy sessions covered by insurance?

Coverage for somatic therapy sessions by health insurance varies depending on the provider and policy. Many insurance plans cover psychotherapy services, including somatic therapy, if provided by a licensed professional counselor or other licensed mental health professional. It’s essential to check with your insurance provider to understand the specifics of your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs. Wisconsin Wellness accepts a variety of insurance providers. Contact us to verify your coverage and discuss payment options.

How does somatic therapy help with the regulation of the nervous system?

Somatic therapy helps regulate the autonomic nervous system by increasing awareness of bodily sensations and encouraging practices that calm the sympathetic nervous system while activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Techniques such as mindful breathing, meditation, and gentle exercises help reduce arousal and promote relaxation. This regulation of the nervous system can mitigate symptoms of chronic stress, anxiety, and traumatic stress, fostering a sense of safety and well-being.

Can somatic therapy be integrated with other therapeutic approaches like EMDR or cognitive processing therapy?

Yes, somatic therapy can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and cognitive processing therapy. Combining these modalities can enhance the overall efficacy of treatment by addressing both the cognitive and physiological aspects of trauma. For instance, while EMDR helps reprocess traumatic memories, somatic therapy can simultaneously release the physical tension associated with those memories. This holistic approach supports comprehensive healing and emotional regulation.

Is somatic therapy effective for treating childhood trauma and its long-term effects?

Yes, somatic therapy is effective for treating childhood trauma and its long-term effects. Childhood trauma often results in stored tension and dysregulation in the nervous system. Somatic therapy helps release these stored experiences through body-centered techniques, promoting healing and resilience. Research and clinical evidence support the effectiveness of somatic therapy in addressing the deep-rooted impacts of childhood trauma, such as anxiety, chronic pain, and emotional dysregulation.