What Is Somatic Psychotherapy?

Image by Rebecca Marx

You may already know that the mind and body are deeply connected—but beyond that, it can be hard to explain how or why. That’s a great place to begin.

Let’s explore what actually happens in the body during stress and trauma.

When faced with a threatening or overwhelming event, the human body—like all mammals—goes through a primitive survival process: it prepares for the event, responds to it (through fight, flight, or freeze), and then discharges the energy that was mobilized once the threat has passed. Trauma occurs when this natural process is interrupted—when we’re unable to fully react or release the energy and shock that were generated during the experience.

If the emotions and physical sensations tied to the event aren’t fully processed, they don’t just go away—they get stored in the body, often at a cellular level. Instead of releasing this energy, we might tighten up, shut down, or suppress what we’re feeling.

Over time, this unresolved energy can cause us to feel unsafe or under threat, even when we’re not in danger. That’s because present-day sensations can trigger memories held in the body, making it feel as though the past is happening all over again. In this way, trauma isn’t just about what happened—it’s about how your body continues to respond as if it’s still happening now.

Here’s a list of common symptoms that people may experience when trauma is stored in the body. These symptoms can be physical, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral:

Physical Symptoms

  • Chronic tension or tightness in the body

  • Fatigue or exhaustion with no clear cause

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Digestive issues (e.g., nausea, IBS, stomach pain)

  • Sleep disturbances (insomnia, nightmares, restless sleep)

  • Rapid heartbeat or shallow breathing

  • Startle response (easily startled or jumpy)

  • Unexplained aches and pains

Emotional Symptoms

  • Anxiety or panic attacks

  • Irritability or mood swings

  • Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected

  • Depression or persistent sadness

  • Overwhelm or inability to cope with stress

  • Guilt, shame, or self-blame

  • A sense of hopelessness or despair

Cognitive Symptoms

  • Difficulty concentrating or focusing

  • Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks

  • Memory problems

  • Confusion or feeling “spaced out”

  • Negative self-talk or distorted thinking patterns

Behavioral/Social Symptoms

  • Avoidance of certain places, people, or situations

  • Withdrawal from relationships or social activities

  • Difficulty trusting others

  • Compulsive or addictive behaviors

  • Hypervigilance (always “on alert”)

  • Trouble setting boundaries or feeling safe in your body

Somatic Psychotherapy In Practice

How It Works:

  • Tuning into your body: We will focus on body sensations to track and gently release tension and trauma.

  • Creating safety: Sessions will move slowly and mindfully, helping you build internal resources and a sense of safety.

  • Completing survival responses: Through guided awareness, your body can complete the natural responses that were interrupted during a traumatic event, allowing your nervous system to reset.

The pace of somatic work will always honor your comfort and readiness. As trust grows, we’ll gently integrate trauma-informed techniques drawn from proven approaches like:

  • Polyvagal Theory

  • Somatic Experiencing

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

  • Yoga Therapy

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

  • Experiential Movement

Techniques You May Experience Include:

  • Breathwork and breathing exercises

  • Sensory awareness and tracking

  • Grounding techniques

  • Titration & pendulation—moving between challenging and calming sensations

  • Yoga Nidra and restorative yoga

  • Boundary-setting practices

  • Movement exploration and tension release

  • Expressive movement and dramatization of internal parts

  • Therapeutic touch (with consent)

  • Authentic movement

  • EMDR for trauma processing

To schedule a phone consultation, click here!