Somatic Psychology

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We have incorporated psychology/neuro-psychotherapy into body work to maximize the healing process of my clients and patients. Until quite recently, most Western medical practices have treated the mind and body separately. However, there's been a new emphasis on the mind-body connection in the last few decades as doctors become more aware of the psychological aspects of physical pain and illnesses. More therapists are learning to use somatic therapy to address mental health issues, too.

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What Is Somatic Therapy?

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Somatic simply means "having to do with the body." Therefore, a somatic therapy of any kind is one that works directly with the body. As a form of psychotherapy, somatic therapy is a way of affecting emotional change via the body. Talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy can be combined with mind-body exercises to treat PTSD and other mental health issues holistically.

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Somatic therapy theorizes that traumas from the past cause instability in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Our body's natural response to a threat is extremely helpful for immediately dangerous experiences, but the nervous system can become stuck in a state of tension, arousal, or shutdown. If you've experienced trauma, you may feel both the emotional and physical effects of that instability.

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Therapists can use somatic therapy to get your ANS back into balance. Somatic therapy isn't just one type of therapy though. A wide array of physical techniques (exercise, stretching, massage, reflexology, polarity therapy, dance, neurosomatic therapy, meditation, acupressure, trigger point therapy) can be used to create positive changes in the body and mind.