Beyond Talk: How Somatic Therapy Addresses Stored Trauma

When we think of healing from trauma, our minds often go straight to talking about our experiences. While verbal processing is an incredibly valuable part of therapy, it's increasingly clear that for many, simply talking isn't enough. Trauma, especially chronic or early trauma, doesn't just reside in our memories; it gets "stuck" in our bodies, impacting our nervous system, physical sensations, and automatic responses. This is where Somatic Therapy offers a powerful path to healing.

The Body Remembers: Trauma's Physical Impact

Our bodies are wired for survival. When faced with a threat, our innate "fight, flight, or freeze" responses kick in. If these responses are interrupted or incomplete – for instance, if we couldn't fight back or flee – the intense energy generated by the body's survival mechanisms can become trapped in our nervous system. This trapped energy can manifest as:

• Chronic muscle tension or pain

• Digestive issues

• Fatigue or restlessness

• Hyper-vigilance or feeling constantly "on edge"

• Numbness or dissociation

• Difficulty regulating emotions

Traditional talk therapy can help us understand the narrative of our trauma, but it may not fully address these deeply ingrained physiological patterns.

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach to psychotherapy that recognizes and works with the profound connection between our mind and body. Instead of solely focusing on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy gently guides individuals to become aware of their physical sensations, movements, and impulses. The core idea is that by processing these bodily experiences, we can complete the interrupted survival responses and release the stored traumatic energy.

How Somatic Therapy Facilitates Healing from Trauma

Somatic therapy provides a safe and contained space to gently re-engage with the body's wisdom. Here's how it helps address stored trauma:

1. Tracking Sensations: A key aspect involves learning to notice and track subtle bodily sensations (e.g., warmth, tingling, tension, expansion). These sensations are often the language of the nervous system, signaling unresolved physiological states.

2. Discharge of Trapped Energy: Through guided awareness, gentle movement, and specific techniques, somatic therapy helps the body complete the survival responses that were previously interrupted. This can lead to a "discharge" of trapped energy, often experienced as trembling, heat, or a deep sigh, followed by a profound sense of relief and calm.

3. Building Resources: Somatic therapy also focuses on building internal resources and resilience. This might involve identifying and strengthening feelings of safety, connection, and grounding within the body, which helps individuals tolerate difficult sensations and emotions without becoming overwhelmed.

4. Nervous System Regulation: By repeatedly guiding the nervous system through cycles of activation and calm, somatic therapy helps to retrain the nervous system, increasing its capacity for self-regulation. This means you become less reactive to triggers and more able to return to a state of balance.

5. Integration: As the body releases old patterns, somatic therapy helps integrate these new bodily experiences with cognitive understanding, leading to a more coherent sense of self and a reduction in trauma symptoms.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

Experience Body-Centered Healing at 4U Psychology & Coaching

At 4U Psychology & Coaching, Ainsley Elliott integrates somatic principles into her practice, particularly through Natural Processing therapy. She understands that true healing often requires addressing the impact of trauma on both mind and body. By working with your unique physiological responses, we can help you gently release what's been held, restore your nervous system's balance, and cultivate a deeper sense of safety and well-being.

If you've found that traditional approaches haven't fully addressed your trauma symptoms, or if you experience physical manifestations of stress and anxiety, somatic therapy might be the missing piece in your healing journey.

Ready to explore a holistic path to healing?

Contact 4U Psychology & Coaching today to schedule your confidential consultation and learn more about our body-centered approaches to wellness.

Phone: 403 479-5574

Email: ainsley_elliott@yahoo.com