Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy is a body-based therapeutic modality. This modality works from the perspective that the body holds all memory and information, both historic and current, and both traumatic and neutral.
During a session, we practice feeling, listening and witnessing the body. We notice sensations and practice pausing and being with them. We gently track movements, gestures, sounds and images. Our minds and bodies are deeply and intrinsically connected. Sometimes our body is able to process emotions and memories more quickly and thoroughly than we can using talk therapy alone.While our “thinking brain” is necessary, somatic awareness gives you access to a different kind of knowing.
Through this process we become aware that each emotion has a “felt-sense” to it. That essentially, emotions are energy in motion. As we learn to be with big sensation, it changes and dissolves. We have to feel it to heal it.
Slowly and gently, we integrate experiences that were overwhelming to your nervous system at the time they occurred. This is important because when you learn to settle your nervous system, you feel clear, connected and resilient.
This process shifts old neural patterns and emotional wounds so that they don't become life-depleting feedback loops in your system.
We have generally been trained to ignore the feelings in sensations in our body. From seemingly small things like waiting to get up for a glass of water, to bigger things like questioning our “gut feelings.” Overtime, this process releases huge amounts of tension, both emotional and physical. Energy and ‘life force’ will return leaving you feeling more alive, joyful and connected to yourself.
TRAUMA TAKES MANY FORMS
Developmental trauma: Childhood traumas that can result from abuse, neglect, or forms of adversity such as early medical interventions.
Shock trauma: Triggered by single traumatic events, car accidents, medical procedures, near-death experiences or significant loss.
Trans-generational trauma: When clients are impacted, directly or indirectly by the traumatic stresses of their parents and grandparents.
““I have come to the conclusion that human beings are born with an innate capacity to triumph over trauma. I believe not only that trauma is curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening—a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation. I have little doubt that as individuals, families, communities, and even nations, we have the capacity to learn how to heal and prevent much of the damage done by trauma. In so doing, we will significantly increase our ability to achieve both our individual and collective dreams.”