SZN. 3 Ep. 16/ Emotional Healing Through Somatic Psychothearpy
Emotional Healing Through Somatic Psychotherapy: Reconnecting with Your Body to Heal Your Mind
by: Alexandria Gohla, MSW, LCSW, Ed.S
When we think about emotional healing, we often focus on talking through our experiences, journaling, or cognitive strategies to manage thoughts. But what if the key to healing wasn’t just in your mind—it was in your body too? Somatic psychotherapy offers a powerful path to emotional wellness by helping you tune into the subtle signals of your body, release stored tension, and reclaim a sense of safety and ease in your life.
What is Somatic Psychotherapy?
Somatic psychotherapy is a body-centered therapeutic approach that recognizes the mind and body are deeply interconnected. Trauma, stress, and unresolved emotions often leave imprints in the body—tight shoulders, shallow breathing, clenching your jaw, or restless energy. Somatic therapy helps you notice these patterns, explore their emotional roots, and release the tension safely.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, somatic approaches integrate movement, breath, and body awareness with psychological insight. By engaging the body, you can access and process emotions that may feel too overwhelming to verbalize alone.
Benefits of Somatic Psychotherapy
Release stored tension and trauma: Your body holds emotional experiences. Somatic therapy helps you let go of these physical imprints.
Enhance emotional regulation: By learning to notice and respond to bodily signals, you gain tools to manage anxiety, anger, or sadness more effectively.
Improve self-awareness: Somatic practices cultivate a deeper connection to your feelings and physical sensations.
Strengthen resilience: Feeling safe in your body translates to feeling more grounded and empowered in life.
Exercises You Can Try at Home
While working with a trained therapist is ideal, you can start cultivating somatic awareness at home with a few gentle exercises:
1. Body Scan
Sit or lie comfortably and close your eyes.
Slowly bring attention to each part of your body, starting at your toes and moving upward.
Notice sensations—tightness, warmth, tingling, or relaxation—without judgment.
Breathe into areas of tension and imagine softening them with each exhale.
2. Grounding Through Breath
Stand with feet hip-width apart.
Inhale deeply for four counts, noticing your belly expand.
Exhale for six counts, feeling your weight sink into the floor.
Repeat for several minutes, focusing on the connection between your body and the ground.
3. Movement Release
Put on music that feels expressive.
Move your body freely—shake out your hands, sway your hips, roll your shoulders.
Notice where tension melts away and where emotions surface.
This can help release pent-up energy or stress held in the body.
4. Sensory Awareness
Pick a simple object—like a stone, leaf, or cup of water.
Focus on texture, temperature, weight, and movement in your hands.
Tune into your bodily response—does it feel calming, energizing, or uncomfortable?
Observing these reactions increases your somatic awareness.
Finding a Somatic Therapist
When looking for a somatic therapist, consider the following:
Training and credentials: Look for certification in somatic modalities such as Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, or Body-Centered Psychotherapy.
Approach: Some therapists integrate talk therapy with bodywork, while others focus primarily on physical sensations and movement. Ask what resonates with you.
Safety and rapport: You should feel safe, supported, and respected. Trust and comfort are essential when exploring vulnerable bodily sensations.
Experience with trauma: If your focus is trauma healing, choose a therapist experienced in trauma-informed care.
Accessibility and comfort: Consider in-person versus virtual sessions and whether their style aligns with your comfort level.
Taking the First Step
Healing through somatic psychotherapy is about reconnecting with yourself—learning to feel, notice, and respond to the signals your body gives you. Even small daily practices can build resilience, reduce stress, and foster emotional well-being. If you’re curious, reach out to a certified somatic therapist and explore this embodied path to healing.
Remember: your body remembers, and it also has the wisdom to help you heal.
