In mental health and trauma recovery, traditional talk therapy has long been the go-to treatment. For many people, especially those recovering from trauma, healing requires more than words. Somatic therapies offer a different path, one that recognizes the profound connection between the mind and body.

Somatic therapy focuses on how trauma, stress, and emotional pain are stored not just in the mind, but in the body itself. By helping individuals tune into physical sensations and release tension or stored trauma, somatic treatment can promote deep, lasting healing.

What Are Somatic Therapies?

Somatic therapies are a group of therapeutic approaches that emphasize body awareness as a pathway to emotional well-being. They help people notice how emotional experiences manifest physically, such as tightness in the chest, shallow breathing, or clenched muscles, and work to release those patterns.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which centers on cognitive processing, somatic treatment incorporates movement, breath, touch, and other body-focused techniques to facilitate healing.

The Mind-Body Connection

Science has increasingly confirmed what many healing traditions have long known: the mind and body are deeply interconnected. When we experience trauma or prolonged stress, the body can enter a state of fight, flight, or freeze, and often stays there long after the danger has passed.

This can result in chronic tension, pain, fatigue, emotional numbness, or heightened anxiety. Somatic therapy aims to restore balance in the body by helping the nervous system process and release those responses.

Common Types of Somatic Therapies

There are several approaches under the umbrella of somatic therapy, including:

1. Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE focuses on guiding patients to become aware of their physical sensations and slowly release stored trauma without reliving the traumatic event. It emphasizes felt sense. The internal bodily awareness that holds key information about our emotional state.

2. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Combining somatic work with cognitive therapy, this approach helps clients become aware of how their bodies hold trauma and use movement or posture changes to shift emotional patterns.

3. Body-Centered Psychotherapy

This general term includes various techniques that incorporate touch, movement, breathwork, and mindfulness to help clients explore their emotions through the body.

4. Trauma Release Exercises (TRE)

TRE uses specific physical exercises to activate the body’s natural tremor mechanism, helping release deep muscular tension and stress.

5. Dance/Movement Therapy

This expressive therapy uses movement to support emotional, cognitive, and physical integration. Dance or movement therapy can be particularly helpful for those who struggle to express emotions with words.

Benefits of Somatic Therapies

Somatic therapies can be beneficial for a wide range of mental health and physical conditions. Common conditions include:

  • PTSD and trauma
  • Anxiety and panic disorders
  • Depression
  • Chronic pain
  • Dissociation and emotional numbness
  • Stress-related disorders

Key benefits of these therapies include increased body awareness, release of stored tension and trauma, and improved emotional regulation. Many patients report a greater sense of safety and grounding, as well as an increased ease in reconnecting with the present moment.

What to Expect in Somatic Therapy

A somatic therapy session may feel quite different from traditional therapy. While you may talk about your experiences, the focus will often shift to what’s happening in your body. Patients need to be aware of sensations, movements, breathing patterns, and posture.

Your therapist may guide you to track physical sensations as you speak or notice areas of tension or discomfort. You may be asked to use breathing or movement exercises to shift energy. Patients learn how to reconnect with grounding and calming bodily experiences and reflect on how physical sensations relate to emotions or past experiences. Sessions are paced gently to avoid overwhelm and support safety.

Is Somatic Therapy Right for You?

Somatic therapy may be especially helpful if you’ve experienced trauma or chronic stress. Many people who have not had success with traditional talk therapy have experienced results with somatic treatment. People who experience dissociation, emotional numbness, or physical symptoms tied to emotional distress also benefit from this approach. As with any therapy, the relationship with your therapist and a sense of safety are essential.

Utilizing Somatic Therapies

Healing isn’t just in your head; it’s in your body too. Somatic therapies recognize this and offer a powerful, body-centered approach to emotional well-being. By reconnecting with your physical self, you can unlock a deeper level of awareness, resilience, and healing. If you’re looking for a new way to approach emotional recovery, exploring somatic therapy could be a transformative step forward.