The Who of Somatic Therapy
Dr Peter A Levine is responsible for developing somatic therapy. If you would like to listen to Dr Levine talk about how he came to his theory on somatic experiencing you can check out this 5-minute video on YouTube:
The What of Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and the body. It emphasises the importance of bodily sensations and physical experiences and the roles these have in the healing process. Somatic therapy aims to help people release the physical tension stored in the body due to the trauma experienced that gets stuck in the body. Somatic Therapy is a trauma-informed therapeutic approach that leads to improved emotional and psychological well-being.
The How of Somatic Therapy
Key prossesses of somatic therapy:
Body Awareness: Increasing awareness of bodily sensations and physical experiences.
Physical Release: Using techniques to release tension and trauma stored in the body.
Mind-Body Connection: Exploring the relationship between physical sensations and emotional experiences.
Grounding Techniques: Employing grounding exercises to help clients stay present and connected to their bodies.
Somatic Therapy has come to be considered the leading edge therapy for helping PTSD and cPTSD. It works on the principle that trauma gets trapped in the body causing all kinds of symptoms that people might not even consider have to do with their trauma. Somatic therapy can help increase a person's social, physical and psychological resilience.
Somatic Therapy Books to Read
If you are interested in learning more about somatic therapy, here is a list of books grounded in research and clinical practice that will make a valuable resource if you want to understand more.
Walking the Tiger: Healing Trauma - Peter Levine.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel van der Kolk
In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness - Peter Levine
Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy - Pat Ogden, Kekuni Minton & Clare Pain
Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body - Peter Levine
The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication and Self-Regulation - Stephen Porges
The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment - Babette Rothschild
Somatic Psychotherapy Toolbox: 125 Worksheets and Exercises to Treat Trauma & Stress - Manuela Mischke-Reeds
As I keep saying in this series, it is important to find the right therapy for you. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another. Then when you find a modality that suits you, it's also important to find the best practitioner for you as well. Not all therapists are going to be the best fit and just like in school if you didn't like the teacher, you probably did poorly in that subject but if you loved the teacher you did well, the same thing goes for your therapist. So take some time to research and find the best fit for you for the best outcome. Be sure to check out the master blog: Not All Therapy Is Equal: A Series to learn about other therapeutic modalities.
If You Need Extra Support
Australia (Call 000 in a medical emergency)
Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 1300 22 46 36
Lifeline - 13 11 14 or SMS 0477 13 11 14
Black Dog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ (02) 9382 2991
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
Around the World
BetterHelp - https://www.betterhelp.com/
New Zealand - Lifeline - 0800 543 354
USA and Canada - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - 988 (call 911 in a medical emergency)
UK - Samaritans - 116 123
UK - SANEline - 0300 304 7000
Canada - https://kidshelpphone.ca/ 1800 668 68 68 or text 68 68 68
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