Trauma can sometimes accumulate within our bodies on a cellular level. What that means to an individual is the focus of a newer form of mental health counselling known as somatic therapy. Most people likely haven’t heard of somatic therapy. That leaves many wondering; what is the fundamental concept?
Well, it is a treatment focusing on the body and how emotions appear within the body. Somatic therapies posit that our body holds and expresses experiences and emotions, and traumatic events or unresolved emotional issues can become ‘trapped’ inside.
So, who can benefit immensely from somatic therapy? Since disturbing feelings often show up in the body in debilitating ways, somatic therapy aims to drain those emotions of their power, relieving pain and other manifestations of stress, such as disrupted sleep or an inability to concentrate.
These types of emotions can stem from a variety of conditions and circumstances that somatic therapy may potentially help alleviate. They include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complicated grief, depression, anxiety, trust and intimacy issues, and self-esteem problems.
It is important to note that anxiety can lead to muscle tension, more so in the neck, shoulders, jaws, and back. It can cause a lot of discomfort, pain, stiffness, and trouble with daily activities. If we’re experiencing chronic anxiety or distress, it is almost like we have our foot on a gas pedal. It’s not a panic attack, but we’re never feeling a reprieve and there is a constant wear and tear on the body.
What makes somatic therapy different from talk therapies? Well, typical talk therapies such as CBT engage only the mind, not the body, encouraging people to become aware of disturbing thoughts and behavior patterns and work to change them.\
Things tend to be different with somatic therapy considering the body is the starting point to realize healing. This form of therapy cultivates an awareness of bodily sensations, and teaches people to feel safe in their bodies while exploring thoughts, emotions, and memories.
CBT focuses on conscious thought and work on challenging thoughts in relation to anxiety and behaviors, helping desensitize people to uncomfortable sensations. However, somatic therapy is more about relieving the tension, as opposed to desensitizing people to it.
Even mindfulness meditation, which some experts consider to be somatic in nature, differs in one key way from somatic therapy. Be sure to do your homework before going for a somatic therapy session.