Somatic Psychology Resolves Habitual “Trigger” Responses.

 This concept essentially sits at the heart of all body-based psychotherapy. Grounding involves sensing the body, feeling your feet on the earth, and calming the nervous system. 

 The somatic therapist promotes awareness of the body. We work with breath constrictions and tension patterns held just under our conscious awareness. Simply bringing awareness to physical sensations creates change. 

 Somatic therapists become curious about the somatic experience of the client. You can try this on your own by noticing your sensations. Try using descriptive words such as hot, cold, tingly, sharp, or dull. 

  Once we have become aware of sensations or a tension pattern we deepen the experience by gently amplifying the sensations. For example, we can focus our breath into the sensation, make a sound, or add movements. The key is to deepen at a pace that does not create overwhelm and honors your timing.

  When we help clients develop resources we focus on increasing a sense of choice and safety. Identify people, times, and places that facilitate a sense of safety, calm, or peace. How do you know when you feel peaceful or relaxed? How does your body feel?

 When we turn our attention to traumatic events our body-centered awareness helps us become conscious of our physical tension patterns. Titration refers to a process of experiencing small amounts of distress at a time with a goal to discharge the tension. It is achieved by “pendulating” or oscillating attention between feeling the distress and feeling safe and calm. 

  When somatic tension begins to discharge or release, we typically report the movement of emotion and sensations. Tension in the belly might move to chest and then becomes tightness in the throat and forehead. Sometimes we might visibly see hands or legs shake and tremble. The tension eventually releases–sometimes in the form of tears, an ability to breathe more freely, or possibly the feeling of lightness.

 Somatic therapies tap into our innate healing capacity by inviting us to listen to the story as told by the body. Our postures, gestures, and use of space provide insight into our experience. For example, a client who has an impulse to crouch, cower, or hide is invited to mindfully engage in these defensive movements. After doing so, she may notice a new impulse to push her arms and kick her legs. As she intuitively re-engages these protective movements resolution may arise with a new found sense of calm in her body. 

When we allow our somatic awareness to guide the pacing of therapy we must work in the here and now. Focusing on the present moment empowers you to stay responsive to changing needs and helps you develop clear boundaries. A boundary allows you to recognize and speak your “yes” and your “no” in a way that helps you feel protected and strong. 

Research from neuroscience emphasizes the importance of mindfully staying connected to the body with big emotions or sensations. When you develop awareness of body sensations you are better able to regulate (respond effectively) to emotional intensity. Ultimately this helps you stay connected and supported amidst the intensity of healing trauma.

A unified approach to somatic psychology promotes mindful awareness of the body and emphasizes an attitude of nonjudgment and curiosity. When the client develops body awareness, they can work with breath constrictions and tension patterns by inviting a deepening of the experience. Clients can amplify sensations and find intuitive movements or sounds. Sensations in the body are seen as information rather than symptoms