So What is Somatic Therapy?

Have you ever noticed how stress or emotional pain seems to settle in your body? Maybe your shoulders tense up when you're anxious, or you feel a knot in your stomach during a tough conversation. These physical reactions to emotional states are at the heart of somatic therapy, a fascinating approach that combines the mind and body to promote healing.

If you’ve never heard of somatic therapy or are curious about how it works, you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll explore what somatic therapy is, how it works, and why it’s gaining attention in the world of healthcare and wellness.

What Exactly is Somatic Therapy?

The term "somatic" comes from the Greek word soma, meaning "body." This etymology is fitting because somatic therapy places the body at the center of the healing process. Unlike traditional therapeutic approaches that primarily focus on exploring thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through conversation, somatic therapy adopts a holistic perspective, recognizing the profound interconnectedness of the mind and body.

Somatic therapy is grounded in the belief that our bodies are not just vessels for physical experiences but also repositories for emotional and psychological ones. Every joy, stress, or trauma we experience leaves an imprint—not only in our minds but in our physical selves. This is why emotions like fear or sadness can often manifest as a tight chest, a clenched jaw, or a tense stomach. While we might dismiss these sensations as temporary, somatic therapy recognizes them as vital clues to understanding deeper emotional and psychological patterns.

One of the foundational principles of somatic therapy is that the body "remembers." Trauma, for example, is not always stored as a coherent memory in the mind but is often encoded in the body as tension, pain, or disrupted physiological responses. These physical imprints can linger long after the mind has moved on, manifesting as chronic muscle tension, unexplained pain, digestive issues, or even a sense of disconnect from one's body.

Somatic therapy seeks to bridge this gap by helping individuals tune into their bodily sensations and explore the stories they might tell. It involves practices like breathwork, gentle movement, or guided body scans to encourage awareness of these sensations and their underlying causes. By fostering a deeper connection to the body, individuals can identify and release the physical manifestations of stress or trauma, leading to both emotional and physical healing.

For example, someone who has experienced a traumatic event might unconsciously tighten their shoulders or clench their jaw whenever they recall the memory or encounter a related trigger. These physical responses can become so habitual that the individual no longer notices them, yet they contribute to ongoing discomfort or tension. Somatic therapy helps bring these unconscious patterns into conscious awareness, creating an opportunity for understanding and release. By recognizing and addressing the body’s responses, the individual can process and resolve the underlying emotional triggers.

Somatic therapy also emphasizes the concept of self-regulation. This involves learning how to respond to the body’s signals in a way that promotes calm and balance. For instance, through practices like grounding exercises or deep breathing, clients can learn to manage their body’s responses to stress or anxiety, helping them feel more present and in control.

Ultimately, somatic therapy is about reconnection—reconnection with the body, with the emotions it holds, and with the innate capacity for healing that resides within all of us. By acknowledging and working with the body’s wisdom, somatic therapy offers a transformative path to healing that feels both practical and deeply restorative.

Who Can Benefit from Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy can be beneficial for just about anyone, but it’s particularly helpful for people dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, or trauma. Unlike some therapies that may feel abstract or overly intellectual, somatic therapy provides a tangible, body-focused approach that many people find grounding and accessible.

For those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), somatic therapy has been shown to be particularly effective. Trauma often disrupts the body’s ability to regulate itself, leading to symptoms like hypervigilance, dissociation, or emotional numbness. By focusing on body awareness, somatic therapy helps clients rebuild trust in their physical sensations, fostering a sense of safety and control.

Individuals dealing with chronic pain can also benefit from somatic therapy, especially when the pain has no clear medical cause. Research increasingly supports the idea that unresolved emotional tension can contribute to physical discomfort, and somatic techniques offer a pathway to address this connection.

Even those who don’t identify as having "trauma" can gain a lot from somatic therapy. It’s a powerful tool for anyone seeking to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, or develop a stronger connection to their body.

How is Somatic Therapy Different from Traditional Talk Therapy?

Traditional talk therapy is often focused on exploring thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through conversation. While this approach is invaluable for gaining insight into patterns and developing coping strategies, it sometimes overlooks the role of the body in emotional healing. Somatic therapy, in contrast, puts the body at the center of the therapeutic process.

One of the key differences lies in the tools used. Where talk therapy might involve exercises like journaling or cognitive reframing, somatic therapy involves practices like breathwork, guided movement, or even vocalizations to release tension. These practices help clients access and process experiences that may be stored in the body but are difficult to articulate verbally.

That doesn’t mean somatic therapy is meant to replace talk therapy. In fact, the two modalities often complement each other beautifully. For instance, a client might work with a talk therapist to understand the origins of their anxiety and with a somatic therapist to address the physical tension that accompanies it. Together, these approaches provide a more comprehensive path to healing.

What Happens During a Somatic Therapy Session?

A somatic therapy session typically begins with a conversation about your goals and current challenges. This part of the session might feel similar to traditional therapy, as the therapist gathers information about your emotional state, physical symptoms, and past experiences. However, the focus soon shifts to the body.

The therapist might guide you to notice physical sensations, such as tingling in your hands, tightness in your chest, or a warm sensation in your belly. These sensations often serve as entry points for exploring emotions or memories that might be influencing your current state. For instance, the tightness in your chest might be linked to feelings of fear or sadness that you haven’t fully processed.

As you tune into your body, the therapist may introduce techniques like deep breathing, gentle stretching, or grounding exercises to help you stay present. In some cases, they might encourage you to experiment with movement, such as shaking your hands or stomping your feet, to release pent-up tension or energy.

Each session is highly individualized, designed to meet you where you are and support your unique healing process. The therapist’s role is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore the connection between your body and emotions.

Why is Somatic Therapy Gaining Popularity?

The rise of somatic therapy can be attributed to a growing awareness of the mind-body connection and its role in overall health. As more people recognize that unresolved emotional issues often manifest as physical symptoms, the demand for therapies that address both mind and body has increased.

Somatic therapy is also supported by a growing body of research. Studies have shown that practices like mindfulness, movement, and body awareness can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. As a result, somatic therapy has been embraced not only by individuals but also by healthcare providers and wellness practitioners looking for holistic approaches to care.

Additionally, somatic therapy is versatile, making it accessible to a wide range of people. Whether you’re an athlete recovering from an injury, a trauma survivor seeking emotional healing, or someone looking to reduce everyday stress, somatic therapy offers tools that can be adapted to meet your needs.

Want to Learn More About Somatic Therapy?

If this topic resonates with you, I encourage you to explore it further by tuning into the episode of Niel Asher Education’s TRS podcast posted above. In this episode, Lara Kolesar shares her personal journey with somatic therapy and discusses how it has transformed her practice and her clients' lives. Lara’s insights provide a real-world perspective on how somatic therapy works and why it’s such a powerful tool for healing.

For those who are intrigued by somatic techniques and want to incorporate them into their professional practice, the Somatic Therapy Essentials Course from Niel Asher Education is an excellent next step. This course offers a deep dive into advanced therapeutic techniques, including somatic approaches, to help you expand your skill set and better serve your clients.

Disclaimer

This blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance on your health and wellness journey.

References

1. Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books.
2. van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.
3. Kolesar, L. (2024). Personal Insights on Somatic Therapy. TRS Podcast, Niel Asher Education.