Unlocking the Healing Power of Somatic Therapy: Exploring Its Methods, Costs, and Distinctions
In the ever-evolving landscape of mental health and therapy, somatic therapy, particularly Somatic Experiencing (SE), has emerged as a powerful and transformative approach to healing trauma. As a somatic trauma therapist trained in Somatic Experiencing, I have had the honor of witnessing the profound transformations that can occur when individuals tap into the innate wisdom of their bodies to heal from trauma. In this comprehensive guide, I want to dive deep into what somatic therapy is, exploring how it works, potential costs, and what sets it apart from other therapeutic modalities. I hope to define and give an understanding of somatic therapy, and to demonstrate that deep healing is possible.
Understanding Somatic Therapy
At its core, Somatic Therapy is a holistic approach to healing that recognizes the profound connection between the mind and body. It acknowledges that our bodies carry the physical sensations, emotions, and memories of past traumas and experiences. By working with sensations in our bodies and energies stored in our nervous systems, somatic therapy helps individuals release pent-up tension, process unresolved emotions, and find relief from physical and emotional pain.
Traumatic experiences can lead to physical and emotional dysregulation, manifesting as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and a myriad of other symptoms. Through a somatic approach, we can address these patterns at a deeper subconscious level, resulting in feeling more present, at peace, and open to life. This method of healing allows us to finally feel like “ourselves” again after a traumatic event.
Many times, the trauma we’ve experienced may not have been a one time event. It may be the cumulative impact of growing up in an emotionally and/or physically unsafe environment. Somatic therapy can be incredibly supportive in helping our bodies and nervous systems feel safe enough to relax. Whether we’re experiencing chronic anxiety or depression, or perhaps have tried many other therapies before, somatic therapy can be the missing key to being able to finally feel a sense of freedom, empowerment, embodied presence, and agency in our lives.
What is Somatic Experiencing?
One of the most prominent methods within somatic therapy is Somatic Experiencing (SE). Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE focuses on renegotiating the body's response to trauma and stress. Recognizing that trauma is not merely a psychological experience but is deeply rooted in the body, Levine sought to create a method that could help individuals safely and effectively process their traumatic experiences at a somatic, body, and nervous system level.
With the support of a trained therapist, SE encourages clients to listen to their body's signals and safely discharge the trapped energy associated with traumatic events. This method creates a safe space for clients to engage with painful, overwhelming feelings and memories in a slow and gentle way, allowing for trauma processing to happen effectively and to result in a sense of completion and relief. Somatic Experiencing allows clients to reconnect with their body sensations, restores a sense of safety and resilience, and enables individuals to regain control over their lives.
What do you actually do in somatic therapy?
Body Sensation Awareness: In somatic therapy, clients are guided to tune into their bodily sensations. This heightened awareness allows individuals to identify areas of tension, discomfort, or numbness that may be related to past trauma.
Building capacity to be more in-tune with our felt-sense (or our ability to feel body sensations) is a critical first step to feeling more present in life and in our bodies. It also lays the groundwork to get ready to work with traumatic memories.
Pendulation: A core concept in Somatic Experiencing, pendulation involves moving between states of tension and relaxation. This helps clients access their body's natural resources and resilience, gradually expanding their capacity to handle distressing sensations.
We often start SE therapy with something called resourcing, which can involve a variety of supportive visualizations, embodiment exercises, or grounding techniques to support the body in feeling relaxed, present, and open. The capacity to stay present in our bodies during a neutral or pleasant feeling may be a sign of readiness to engage in deeper trauma work.
Titration: The somatic therapist helps the client explore traumatic material in small, manageable doses, preventing overwhelm. This gentle approach allows for the gradual release and processing of traumatic memories.
In some cases, other methods of trauma therapy can leave clients overwhelmed, or even retraumatize the client. When we start retelling the story of a traumatic memory, it can start building up speed like a train car. Before we know it, it feels like we’re right back in the traumatic experience, reliving it in our body. Somatic Experiencing has specifically developed the titration technique where, like in chemistry, we slow the process down and deal with the trauma energy one drop at a time so as not to cause an explosion. Instead, each tiny drop of sensation and emotion can be felt safely and sizzle out slowly. This pacing is something incredibly important and unique to SE.
Tracking: Clients learn to track and verbalize their sensations and feelings, giving voice to their bodily experiences. This process supports the integration of body and mind, promoting healing.
Not only is the client learning to track their body sensations, but as the therapist sitting with my clients, I’m tracking my own nervous system and body sensations. Our nervous systems are interconnected, and we humans regulate in relationship to one another. I stay connected to my client by staying connected to myself and my own body sensations, which are often a sign of what my client is feeling. I hold safe space for my clients by offering my grounded, attuned presence throughout our time together. The quality of the somatic therapist’s presence is one of the most important ingredients for healing.
Completion: As clients work through their trauma, they often experience a sense of resolution and completion. This is a powerful moment when the body signals that the trauma is no longer a threat.
This is one of the greatest gifts of somatic trauma therapy. When we’ve been traumatized, our body and nervous system feel as if we’re still under threat, even though the event is in the past. This can leave us feeling continually on edge, anxious, disempowered, and feeling like our life is not in our control. Through processing the trauma in somatic therapy, the body can feel safe again. It feels like the trauma is in the past, that the event is over, and that we can finally move forward. It’s then that we can regain a sense of agency and personal power.
How much does a somatic therapy session cost?
Financial costs: Like any form of therapy, somatic therapy comes with associated costs. Somatic therapy sessions typically vary in price depending on your location, the therapist's experience, and whether your sessions are covered by insurance. While it might require an investment of time and money, it is an investment in your long-term well-being. Healing from trauma and reclaiming a sense of peace in your life is priceless. Many therapists offer sliding scale fees or can help you explore potential insurance coverage, making it more accessible than you might think.
Time Commitment: Healing through somatic therapy is a journey that may require time and dedication. Clients should be prepared to commit to regular sessions to achieve lasting results.
Emotional Investment: Somatic therapy can stir up intense emotions as clients confront their trauma. It's crucial to have support systems in place to manage these emotions outside of therapy sessions.
What makes somatic therapy different than other therapy?
Somatic therapy stands out in several ways:
Body-Centered Approach: Somatic therapy is unique in its focus on the body as a source of healing. It emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with bodily sensations and promotes self-regulation.
Holistic Healing: Somatic therapy addresses the interconnectedness of the mind and body. By healing at the somatic level, clients often experience improvements in their overall well-being.
Non-Verbal Processing: Trauma doesn't always have words. Somatic therapy provides an avenue for processing and releasing trauma without solely relying on verbal communication.
Client Empowerment: Somatic therapy empowers clients by teaching them tools to self-regulate and heal. It fosters self-awareness and resilience.
Slow and Steady: Some other methods of working with trauma may be too overwhelming or even retraumatizing. The intentional pace of somatic therapy, and particularly Somatic Experiencing, focuses on slowly and gently processing trauma in a way that leads to healing and resolution.
How do I know if somatic therapy is right for me?
While somatic therapy is a powerful approach to healing trauma, it may not be the right fit for everyone. Somatic therapy might be a great fit for you if:
You are curious about alternative, holistic therapy approaches. Perhaps you’ve tried talk-therapy or other therapies before and are interested in a different, deeper approach.
You are open to feeling bodily sensations and learning to become more embodied. Even if it's difficult now, you’re willing to build toward feeling more sensation in your body and to learning to stay more present in your body.
You want to feel more alive. You want to feel more of your own vitality running through your body. You may struggle with a sense of deadness or dullness inside, and deeply desire to reconnect with the flow of life.
You have an intuitive sense that you are holding emotions or traumatic memories in your body. You know that talking and thinking about it are not reaching deep enough to heal and alchemize these feelings fully.
You’ve tried meditation, yoga, or have a spiritual practice, or are curious about trying them. This is absolutely NOT a requirement, but could be a sign that a somatic therapy approach might be a good fit for you.
Conclusion
Somatic Therapy, particularly Somatic Experiencing, is a powerful method for healing trauma and nurturing self-awareness. While it requires financial, time, and emotional investment, the long-term benefits are immeasurable. It sets itself apart through its focus on the body's wisdom to heal and mindfulness in the present moment.
If you're curious about Somatic Therapy or have experienced trauma, I encourage you to explore this transformative approach. Your journey towards healing is a path worth taking, and Somatic Therapy might just be the key to unlocking your full potential and living a life free from the burdens of the past.