How Somatic Therapy Can Transform Your Life:  Real Healing for Deep-Seated Trauma

Trauma can leave lasting imprints on the mind and body, affecting our health, relationships, and overall well-being.

When trauma runs deep, traditional talk therapy alone might not reach the core of the wounds, leaving us feeling stuck.  

Often clients feel there is no way out of PTSD or CPTSD, but there is.

Somatic therapy, however, offers a transformative approach that addresses trauma at a physical level,

helping to truly release tension, fear, and a feeling of when is the next bad thing going to happen.

In this blog, we’ll explore what somatic therapy is, how it works, and why it’s such an effective treatment for trauma.

What Is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a body-centered therapeutic approach that connects the mind and body to release trauma.

Unlike traditional therapy, which focuses mainly on thoughts and emotions,

somatic therapy also pays attention to physical sensations, body movements, and the nervous system’s responses.

By incorporating these physical aspects, somatic therapy allows trauma survivors to release stored tension and gain relief from symptoms that may feel impossible to address with talk therapy alone.  

Often survivors of trauma are living in fight and flight which makes it nearly impossible to reason the self out of the trauma response.  

Often clients report flashbacks, a sense of impending doom, inability eat and concentrate.  

Clients avoid places that remind them of the trauma event; all signs of PTSD.

Being unable to reason the brain out of these states is because the logical brain is off-line during fight and flight.  

The brain is only focused on survival.

How Trauma Affects the Body

When we experience trauma, the body often enters a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response.

These survival mechanisms are activated by the nervous system to protect us in moments of intense stress or danger.

While this is a natural and protective response, it can also leave traces in our body, especially if the trauma is not processed or resolved.

Many people with deep-seated trauma experience:

– Chronic tension or pain
– Digestive issues
– Insomnia or sleep disturbances
– Anxiety or panic attacks
– Difficulty relaxing or feeling safe

Somatic therapy works by helping the body to release these stress responses, allowing the nervous system to return to a state of calm and balance.

This release can help reduce or eliminate physical symptoms associated with trauma, offering true relief.

Why Somatic Therapy Works for Deep-Seated Trauma

Traditional therapy can be incredibly helpful for understanding trauma, but it may not fully resolve the physical effects.

Somatic therapy, however, is designed to address trauma that has become “stuck” in the body.

It’s particularly effective for people who:

-Feel anxious or “on edge” despite years of talk therapy

– Struggle with chronic physical symptoms like headaches or muscle pain

– Have difficulty connecting with their emotions or feel numb

– Experience emotional “flashbacks” or intense memories of past trauma

-Experienced trauma before they could talk

By working with the body, somatic therapy helps clients feel safer in their own skin,

build resilience, and process traumatic experiences without feeling overwhelmed.

This approach empowers people to address trauma at its roots,

providing genuine healing for even the most deeply embedded wounds.

 What Happens During a Somatic Therapy Session?

Photo by SHVETS production:

During a somatic therapy session, the therapist guides you through exercises and mindfulness techniques that promote awareness of your body and its sensations.

This might involve:

– Exercises to regulate the nervous system and bring you into the present moment
– Practices to identify where trauma is held in the body
– Grounding exercises to create a sense of safety and stability
– Titration to build the ability to experience sensations and emotions as they arise 

The therapist will also help you understand and respond to your body’s cues, enabling you to release stored trauma.

Sessions are gentle and supportive, allowing you to go at your own pace.

Somatic therapy is not about forcing emotions or memories to surface;

instead, it honors your unique experience and provides a safe space to explore your physical and emotional responses.

Benefits of Somatic Therapy for Trauma

Somatic therapy can be transformative for those struggling with trauma-related symptoms. Benefits often include:

– Reduced anxiety and stress by calming the nervous system
– Relief from chronic pain that may be linked to unresolved trauma
– Improved emotional regulation as the body learns to manage stress responses
– Increased self-awareness and understanding of the mind-body connection
– Enhanced relationships due to improved self-regulation and reduced reactivity

By addressing the root causes of trauma,

somatic therapy can help clients move beyond survival mode and into a life that feels safe, fulfilling, and free.

Is Somatic Therapy Right for You?

If you’ve been dealing with trauma symptoms for years without significant relief,

somatic therapy might be the answer. It’s an ideal approach for those who:

– Have tried other therapies with limited results
– Experience intense physical responses to stress
– Feel stuck or disconnected from their body and emotions

Somatic therapy provides a holistic approach to healing trauma,

recognizing that the mind and body are intricately connected.

By addressing trauma on all levels,

somatic therapy offers lasting relief and helps you reclaim a sense of peace, empowerment, and well-being.

Begin Your Healing Journey Today

At Overcome Anxiety & Trauma with Shay Licensed Clinical Social Worker,  P.C., we specialize in somatic therapy for trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress.

Our approach integrates proven techniques like EMDR, IFS, and Brainspotting to provide a comprehensive healing experience.  

We use Compassionate Inquiry as a foundational approach.

 My rule is that we only go as fast as the slowest part of you feels ok with.  

We can do uncomfortable but never unmanageable.  

If you’re ready to experience real healing for deep-seated trauma,

book a session with us today and take the first step toward a life free from the shadows of the past.  

Find out More!

Read more about somatic therapy in National Geographic where I am a contributor.  

Click the link above to book a session or email shay@overcomeanxietytrauma.com to book a consultation call.  

Shay is an experienced trauma therapist in San Diego and all of California.  

She creates a safe and supportive environment where real healing can happen.  

You deserve to live a life where you have peace and a better relationship with yourself and the world.

Healing is Possible!