We all have stressors in our lives that can seem overwhelming at times. If we continue letting trauma consume us, it can have a terrible impact on our lives, our careers, and our relationships. The fear that results from trauma can stop us from making major decisions, setting goals, or ever moving forward.
It’s time to finally let our trauma go — and somatic therapy can help. The goal of somatic therapy is to connect our minds and bodies using psychotherapy to release the pent-up anger, tension, and fear that came from trauma.
How Somatic Therapy Works
Somatic therapy was created by Peter A. Levine, PhD to address the effects of trauma. He saw that prey animals, who were constantly dealing with the threats brought to them by the wild, were able to recover by physically releasing their energy.
Humans, on the other hand, tend to experience thoughts of shame and fear when they think about their trauma. Somatic therapy can help a person stop feeling stuck as they process a traumatic event and finally release the emotions that are holding them back.
The theory of somatic experiencing is that the mind, body, spirit, and emotions are all connected to each other. The stress of past traumatic events affects the central nervous system and causes changes in the body, which can lead to physical pain.
By being aware of this mind-body connection, somatic therapy helps to release the tension, anger, and other negative emotions that have remained in your body because of your past experiences. During somatic therapy, a therapist will help you revive memories of traumatic experiences and pay close attention to your physical responses to these memories.
Physical techniques like deep breathing, relaxation, and meditation are often used. There are other ways to bring out these physical responses, such as dance, exercise, yoga, and other movements. The therapist will teach the patient to feel physically safe, whether it’s a place in the body not activated by the trauma or a place to retreat to in your mind.
After Somatic Therapy
By becoming more aware of your physical responses to stress, you can learn how to control them through relaxation techniques. When somatic therapy sessions are complete, you will feel free and more engaged with life. You will feel less inclined to resort to physical pain and mental stress. It’s important to remember that your body is a vessel to your soul — set it free by learning to release all of the negative emotions caused by your trauma.
Survivors of trauma tend to hold their feelings inside in fear of being shamed or judged. We can teach you how to let those feelings go, so you can finally heal. At The Guest House, you can receive somatic therapy and heal your mind, body, and spirit through psychodrama, individualized and group therapy, neuroimaging, equine therapy, art therapy, EMDR, and many other modes of therapy. You deserve to live a happy and healthy life. The Guest House can show you the way. To learn more, call us today at (855) 483-7800.