The Unexpected Power of Somatic Trauma Therapy

My Personal Journey and Professional Insights

Trauma is not only stored in our minds but deeply imprinted in our bodies. As a somatic trauma therapist in San Diego, I often share this truth with my clients. Yet, during a recent somatic trauma therapy training, I experienced firsthand just how powerful this connection can be.

Last month, during a Somatic Experiencing training session, something surprising happened. As a colleague stood over me at a certain angle, I was suddenly transported back to an event from when I was five years old—an event I hadn’t consciously thought about in decades. My hands began to sweat, my heart raced, and although my colleague was a woman, my mind saw a man. This visceral reaction reminded me how trauma can emerge unexpectedly, often triggered by subtle cues our conscious mind might not recognize.

In this blog, I’ll share insights into somatic trauma therapy, the fawn response, and the transformative power of modalities like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Compassionate Inquiry, and Somatic Experiencing. My goal is to provide a deeper understanding of how these approaches can help you heal from PTSD and rediscover peace.

Trauma Lives in the Body

Trauma isn’t just a memory or a feeling—it’s an experience encoded in our nervous systems. Our minds and bodies often work in tandem, but trauma can disrupt this connection. This disconnection can leave our bodies holding onto trauma, even when our minds don’t consciously remember the event.

In my recent training, I practiced a self-protective motion that I wasn’t able to complete as a child. This simple act brought immense relief and helped me ground myself in the present. I also used orienting techniques to reconnect with my adult self. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of somatic trauma therapy.

What Is Somatic Trauma Therapy?

Somatic trauma therapy is a body-centered approach to healing trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses primarily on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy addresses how trauma is stored in the body. This approach is particularly effective for preverbal trauma or experiences that are difficult to articulate.

Key Modalities in Somatic Trauma Therapy:

Somatic Experiencing (SE): Helps release stored trauma by completing survival responses like fight, flight, freeze, or fawn.

Internal Family Systems (IFS): Explores the different “parts” of the self to unburden past trauma and restore harmony.

EMDR: Uses bilateral stimulation to process and reframe traumatic memories.

Brainspotting: Identifies and processes trauma through fixed eye positions that access deeper parts of the brain.

Compassionate Inquiry: Helps uncover and heal subconscious trauma through guided self-reflection.

Each of these modalities offers unique tools for addressing trauma’s effects on the brain, body, and mind.

The Fawn Response: A Hidden Survival Mechanism

One of the lesser-known trauma responses is the fawn response. This survival mechanism involves prioritizing others’ needs to maintain safety, often at the expense of your own. The fawn response typically develops in childhood, especially in environments where conflict or neglect made compliance a necessary strategy for survival.

Signs of the Fawn Response:

Difficulty setting boundaries

Chronic people-pleasing behaviors

Over-apologizing

Fear of conflict or rejection

Suppressing personal needs or desires

Feeling responsible for others’ emotions

As a somatic trauma therapist, I often see clients who have unknowingly lived with the fawn response for years. Recognizing this pattern is the first step toward healing.

How Somatic Experiencing Supports Healing

Somatic Experiencing, developed by Dr. Peter Levine, is a cornerstone of my trauma therapy practice in San Diego. This approach helps clients process trauma by completing survival responses that were interrupted during the original event.

Benefits of Somatic Experiencing:

Increased Awareness: Clients learn to notice physical sensations tied to trauma.

Release of Tension: Guided exercises help release stored energy and tension.

Reconnection: Clients rebuild a sense of safety and trust in their bodies.

For example, in my training, practicing a self-protective motion allowed me to release stored energy from a childhood trauma. This simple yet powerful act demonstrated how somatic experiencing can create profound shifts.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Trauma

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is another transformative modality I use. IFS views the mind as a system of “parts,” each with its own emotions and roles. For individuals with a fawn response, parts often take on caregiving or conflict-avoidant roles to protect the self from harm.

Key Concepts in IFS:

Exiles: Parts that carry the pain of past trauma.

Managers: Parts that control situations to avoid triggering exiles.

Firefighters: Parts that distract from pain through impulsive behaviors.

By working with these parts, IFS helps clients understand their internal dynamics and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. Unburdening these parts can reduce people-pleasing behaviors and restore a sense of autonomy.

EMDR and Brainspotting: Tools for Deep Healing

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting are evidence-based therapies that complement somatic approaches. Both modalities help clients process and reframe traumatic memories in ways that feel manageable and safe.

EMDR:

Through bilateral stimulation, EMDR helps clients reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity. This approach is particularly effective for PTSD and complex trauma.

Brainspotting:

Brainspotting identifies specific eye positions that access deeper parts of the brain associated with trauma. By focusing on these “brainspots,” clients can process unresolved trauma more effectively.

Compassionate Inquiry: Uncovering Subconscious Patterns

Compassionate Inquiry, developed by Dr. Gabor Maté, is a gentle yet powerful approach that helps clients explore subconscious patterns tied to trauma. Through guided self-reflection, clients uncover the roots of their pain and begin the process of healing.

In my practice, Compassionate Inquiry often complements somatic and experiential therapies, providing a holistic framework for trauma recovery.

Neurofeedback:  You Can Change Your Brainwaves

Neurofeedback is another tool that I use with clients, where they are able to play a video game or watch a tv show while teaching their brains to go into calm states.    This process takes a few months for the brain to make lasting changes, however, people have noticed change within a few training sessions.    I use Myndlift so that I can work with clients remotely to do neurofeedback.   I’ve had success helping clients who have chronic migraines, ADHD, and PTSD.   To learn more check out my neurofeedback page or watch my YouTube video where I talk about it.   

Why Somatic Trauma Therapy Matters

Trauma therapy isn’t just about resolving the past—it’s about reclaiming your present and future. For individuals dealing with the fawn response, PTSD, or other trauma-related challenges, therapy can:

Reduce anxiety and hypervigilance

Improve emotional regulation

Strengthen boundaries and assertiveness

Foster a deeper connection to the self

As a somatic trauma therapist in San Diego, I’ve seen clients transform their lives through these modalities. Healing is possible, and the journey is worth it.

Finding the Right Somatic Trauma Therapist in San Diego

Choosing a trauma therapist is an important step. Look for someone who specializes in modalities like Somatic Experiencing, IFS, EMDR, and Brainspotting. Equally important is finding a therapist who makes you feel safe, understood, and supported.

Questions to Ask:

What approaches do you use for trauma therapy?

Do you have experience working with the fawn response?

How do you integrate somatic practices into your sessions?

What is your philosophy on healing?

At Overcome Anxiety Trauma, I create a compassionate space for clients to explore their experiences and move toward healing. My goal is to help you rediscover peace, freedom, and self-love.  

I have contibuted to articles talking about Somatic Therapy for trauma in National Geographic, Yahoo! Life, and The Flow Space Magazine.    

Begin Your Healing Journey

If you’re ready to take the next step, I invite you to book a session with me. Located in San Diego, my practice specializes in somatic trauma therapy, IFS, EMDR, Brainspotting, and Compassionate Inquiry. Together, we can uncover the roots of your pain and help you build a life of authenticity and connection.

Email shay@overcomeanxietytrauma.com to schedule a consultation or book a session with the button above.

Healing is possible!

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

Let’s work together to create the peace and freedom you deserve.