When most people hear the word \u201ctherapy,\u201d they picture sitting on a couch talking to a therapist about their feelings and experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But\u00a0talk therapy<\/a>\u00a0isn\u2019t the only type of therapy; there’s another therapeutic modality that focuses more on the body than the mind\u2014and that\u2019s somatic therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Devotees claim that somatic therapy (also known as somatic healing) is the key to releasing trauma from the body\u2014and improving health (including sleep!) in the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But what is somatic healing? Is somatic therapy evidence-based? What kind of benefits can it offer\u2014and if you decide to pursue this type of therapy, where should you start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n First things first. What, exactly, is this type of therapy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomatic therapy is a body-based modality that incorporates mind-body awareness to help resolve traumas, stressors, or other emotional imprints for more ease, comfort, and healing,\u201d says Claire Fountain<\/a>, somatic therapist and author. \u201cSomatic therapy taps into the inherent wisdom of our bodies to help us with emotional and psychological health.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n What happens in a therapy session \u201cwill depend on the type of somatic therapy you go to,\u201d says Fountain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomatic therapy is a body-based modality that incorporates mind-body awareness to help resolve traumas, stressors, or other emotional imprints for more ease, comfort, and healing.”<\/p>\nClaire Fountain, somatic therapist and author<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, \u201cSomatic therapy will guide clients through noticing and recognizing physical sensations in the body while also noticing emotions, thoughts, and meaning,\u201d says Fountain. \u201cSessions might include mindfulness, breathwork, or being guided through specific movement practices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This kind of therapy can be a fit for many types of people. \u201c[Somatic therapy can] help those with chronic stress, anxiety<\/a>, a disconnection from the body, or anyone wanting a deeper connection with themselves and how they experience the world,\u201d says Fountain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n While somatic therapy can support a large variety of people, it\u2019s known to be especially powerful for people dealing with trauma. \u201cSomatic therapy is very helpful for those with trauma as trauma manifests in our body,\u201d says Fountain. \u201cWe often say, \u2018The body remembers.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This healing modality is also popular with people who’ve explored talk therapy\u2014but aren\u2019t seeing the kind of results they were hoping for.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomatic therapy has become popular as people realized talk therapy was not fully helping and wanting something that could really shift old patterns and ways of being, especially related to trauma,\u201d says Fountain. \u201cTo know something is different than to feel something. All the talking in the world might not help us feel better, and for some, intellectualizing is a way to avoid feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how can somatic therapy benefit you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the goals of somatic therapy is to help people reconnect and ground themselves in their bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMany of us might feel disconnected and as if we are floating through life,\u201d says Fountain. \u201cSomatic work can help us come back to our bodies, our present moment, and live more richly experienced lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that experience of being present in your body can offer a variety of benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe benefits are increased body-mind awareness, improved emotional regulation, a reduction of symptoms related to\u00a0anxiety\u00a0or stress, relief from trauma, improved body image, less pain or a better understanding of pain,\u201d says Fountain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Somatic therapy can also foster \u201ca deeper connection with ourselves\u2014which can also lead to a deeper connection with others, thus improving relationships and quality of life,\u201d says Fountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But is somatic healing evidence-based? There is research to back up the efficacy of somatic therapy. For example, one 2017 study<\/a> found that somatic experiencing\u2014a form of somatic therapy\u2014could be an effective treatment for PTSD<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, as mentioned, somatic therapy is rooted in mindfulness\u2014which studies have shown can help reduce stress<\/a> and improve sleep<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Clearly, somatic therapy can offer a variety of benefits. But are there any risks?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potentially. Because somatic therapy is body-based\u2014and often deals with trauma\u2014it could present a risk of \u201cpossible re-traumatization or becoming overwhelmed with body sensations without appropriate support or resources,\u201d says Fountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before engaging in somatic therapy, it\u2019s important to talk about the process with a therapist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thinking about getting started with somatic healing? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re going to do somatic therapy, you want to work with a somatic therapist. Luckily, there are plenty of online directories that can help you find a qualified practitioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomatic therapists can be found on directories such as\u00a0Psychology Today<\/em><\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Inclusive Therapists<\/a>, where you can search for somatic therapists or other modalities,\u201d says Fountain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also search for therapists who provide other services that are either related to or work well with somatic therapy, \u201csuch as mindfulness-based therapy, EMDR [eye movement desensitization and reprocessing], IFS [internal family systems], somatic experiencing, or therapists who use holistic approaches,\u201d says Fountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Somatic therapy has become a more sought-after treatment in recent years. And as it\u2019s risen in popularity, so have the number of people marketing themselves as somatic therapists\u2014including people who may be less than qualified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to do your due diligence and thoroughly research any practitioners before you start doing somatic work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSomatic work has become a buzzword with social media, so I would say really investigate who you choose to work with,\u201d says Fountain. \u201cAsk as many questions as you need to understand their process and what might happen in session.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you agree to work with someone, ask if they have any client testimonials (therapy is confidential, but many therapists will gather anonymous reviews and feedback from clients).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask about their experience with somatic therapy. Ask about the practices they incorporate into their sessions\u2014and how many sessions they generally recommend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Like any form of therapy, somatic therapy takes time\u2014so if a practitioner promises they can heal you in a single session, consider it a red flag.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not sure whether somatic therapy is right for you? Dipping your toes into somatics\u2014and doing some body-based exercises at home\u2014could help you determine whether you want to pursue somatic healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor anyone who wants to try somatic work, you can begin with simple exercises even at home that help us notice our body,\u201d says Fountain. \u201cThese will not replace somatic therapy but increase wellbeing and reduce stress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, \u201cBody scan\u00a0meditations<\/a>\u00a0are helpful or really connecting to the body and its sensations during a yoga practice<\/a> or even while walking<\/a>,\u201d says Fountain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An example of somatic therapy is somatic experiencing, which aims to help people connect with their bodily sensations and release tension, stress, and trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no universal framework for somatic therapy; sessions may incorporate a variety of approaches and modalities, including mindfulness practices, breathwork<\/a>, and movement exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research suggests that somatic therapy can be an effective modality for treating trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EMDR\u2014which stands for “eye movement desensitization and reprocessing”\u2014is a form of somatic therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is somatic therapy? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What are the benefits of somatic therapy? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are there any risks to trying somatic therapy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to get started with somatic therapy <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Search for a somatic therapist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do your due diligence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Try body-based exercises at home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
FAQs <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is an example of somatic therapy? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What happens during somatic therapy? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is somatic therapy legitimate?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is EMDR the same as somatic therapy? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n