Somatic Psychotherapy, or what some call body-psychotherapy is an approach to treatment that focuses on the stress and traumas through a body to mind approach. Therapeutically, this is sometimes called a bottom-up approach. It is grounded in the understanding that the body holds onto stress, trauma, and emotions, and that these can manifest physically. This therapy integrates traditional talk therapy with physical interventions. In my practice I utilyze deep mindfulness and body-based meditation to help clients get to the roots of issues. 

My foundation in somatic psychotherapy is rooted in neuroscience, particularly in the understanding of how trauma affects the brain and body. Key aspects include:

Polyvagal Theory: Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, this theory explains how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates our physiological state and response to stress. It highlights the importance of the vagus nerve in emotional regulation, social connection, and fear responses. Somatic therapy leverages techniques to stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting a state of calm and safety.

Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Somatic psychotherapy utilizes neuroplasticity to help clients rewire their brain and body responses to trauma, stress, and emotional pain.

Somatic Memory: Research indicates that the body can store memories of traumatic events, often leading to chronic pain, tension, and other physical symptoms. Somatic therapy aims to access and release these stored memories.

A few techniques that you may experience in sessions with me:

Deep Co-Regulation: Emphasizing the importance of a therapeutic relationship where the therapist and client work together to regulate the client's emotional and physiological state. This relational aspect is crucial for healing and integration.

Resourcing: Developing and strengthening internal and external resources to support the client. These can be positive memories, supportive relationships, or skills that help the individual feel safe and grounded.

Meditative Pendulation: This technique involves guiding the client to move back and forth between a state of distress and a state of calm, helping them to build resilience and gradually process traumatic memories without becoming overwhelmed.

Titration: Instead of diving deep into traumatic memories, titration involves breaking down the process into small, manageable pieces. This slow approach prevents re-traumatization and helps the client to integrate the experience gradually.

Completion of Defensive Responses: Trauma can cause incomplete survival responses (fight, flight, freeze). Releasing these states in a safe and controlled environment, allowing the nervous system to reset, is very powerful.

Body Awareness: Helping clients develop an awareness of their bodily sensations, which can provide insights into emotional states and unresolved traumas. Techniques such as body scans, mindfulness, and grounding exercises are used.

Movement Patterns: Exploring and altering habitual movement patterns that may be linked to psychological issues. This can involve simple exercises to more complex physical activities that encourage new ways of moving and being.

Integration of Sensory Information: Working with the sensory input that comes from the body, such as touch, proprioception (sense of body position), and interoception (sense of internal body state), to process and resolve trauma.