What Is Somatic Therapy?
When most people think about mental health therapy, an image often comes to mind of a patient sitting in an office, talking through their struggles or mental health challenges with a therapist. However, what if therapy didn’t just involve talking through what’s happening in your mind—what if it also incorporated tuning into and addressing sensations in your physical body?
That’s where somatic therapy comes in. A newer approach to therapy, somatic therapy emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and the mind-body connection. But how does it work—and who will most benefit from somatic therapy approaches? Keep reading to learn more from Aspire Psychology psychologist Ryan Varian, PsyD.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
According to Dr. Varian, somatic therapy is an umbrella term for therapeutic approaches that integrate traditional talk therapy with mind-body education and practices.
“There are numerous approaches that focus primarily on thoughts and emotions,” shares Dr. Varian, “whereas somatic interventions intentionally bring attention to the body as a source of information.” Somatic therapy integrates what we know about how the physical body can reflect and store emotional experiences, particularly stress and trauma.
Dr. Varian shares that therapists using somatic approaches guide their patients to “deepen their awareness of bodily sensations, explore movement, and engage in breath-based regulation to support healing and nervous system regulation.”
Is Somatic Therapy Officially a Type of Therapy?
Unlike types of therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), somatic therapy is not recognized as an “official” type of therapy. Instead, Dr. Varian clarifies that, while somatic therapy is not a single, standalone therapy, somatic approaches are utilized by licensed mental health professionals (including psychologists, therapists, social workers, and counselors) who have additional training in somatic techniques.
What Role Does Mindfulness Play in Healing?
Mindfulness is an important part of the healing process because it supports a person in being present with their physical and emotional feelings. The human body is built to protect from harm and respond to stress, and is often working hard to do so even when we don’t realize it. As such, the mind/body connection is key in emotional and mental regulation, and offers the opportunity to partner the brain and body to support the healing of the nervous system.
What Is the Difference Between Somatic Interventions and Somatic Therapy?
To understand the difference between somatic interventions and somatic therapy, Dr. Varian says the simplest thing to do is to think of preparing a recipe. “A recipe is a method for combining individual ingredients into a dish. Somatic interventions can be thought of as the individual ingredients, while somatic therapy is the full preparation process, including the way those ingredients are combined and used.”
Some therapists may utilize somatic interventions in a session alongside other therapeutic approaches. However, somatic therapy as a whole is a broader therapeutic approach that places the body at the center of the healing process throughout treatment.
Can I See a Somatic Therapist, or Just a Therapist Who Practices Somatic Techniques?
According to Dr. Varian, both exist.
“There are therapists who specialize in somatic therapy and use body-centered methods as the primary framework for how they practice,” he said, speaking to therapists who refer to themselves as somatic therapists, “and there are others who may integrate somatic techniques alongside other approaches when it’s helpful in addressing the patient’s goals.”
Both types of therapists are licensed clinicians. However, somatic therapists use somatic techniques as their primary treatment approach, while other therapists may simply use them as one of several approaches integrated into their therapy practice.
“In my role as a therapist, I prioritize partnering with each patient to determine the potential benefit of integrating somatic techniques into the therapy room,” shares Dr. Varian. “Depending on each patient’s goals and values, we collaboratively decide if and how to integrate these practices. Somatic techniques are one of many valuable approaches to therapy. My approach is rooted in a body-aware perspective, meaning I consider how the nervous system and bodily sensations relate to stress, safety, and healing from the start.”
Who Most Benefits From Somatic Therapy?
It’s important to remember that somatic therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each person’s mental health journey is unique, and there are a number of contributing factors in determining the right type of therapy for an individual, including goals for treatment, collaboration with your provider, and personal preference.
However, Harvard Health notes that certain types of patients may benefit from the use of somatic practices, particularly those experiencing:
Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Complicated grief
Self-esteem problems
Trust and intimacy issues
“Returning to the body can be a powerful way to access emotions and experiences that are difficult to put into words,” shares Dr. Varian. “For some, somatic approaches help them feel more grounded, regulated, and connected to themselves, especially when talk therapy alone doesn’t feel enough.”
Personally, Dr. Varian has seen somatic approaches be helpful in supporting healing for patients experiencing anxiety and panic. For example, when a patient’s panic begins with intense physical sensations, such as a racing heart, tight chest, and sense of impending doom, learning how to stay present with these sensations instead of immediately trying to escape them can be impactful. With a patient experiencing this, Dr. Varian and the patient would work from a body-aware, nervous system-informed perspective to build tolerance for these physical cues. By integrating mindfulness-based strategies, the patient will start to notice and stay present with the uncomfortable sensations.
With time, the patient will be able to recognize early warning signs of anxiety or panic in their body, track the sensations with curiosity rather than fear, and use grounding and breath-based practices to regulate their nervous system in the present moment. With consistent practice, the patient can become more confident in their ability to stay present during difficult sensations, which will help reduce both the intensity and the frequency of panic symptoms.
Can You Practice Somatic Exercises at Home?
Yes! Somatic exercises are extremely accessible thanks to a wide range of apps and online resources. In recent years, mindfulness has become widely discussed in pop culture, making it easier than ever to care for your nervous system from the comfort of your own home.
A few common somatic exercises that can easily be done at home to reduce stress, increase body awareness, and build emotional regulation skills include:
Grounding exercises
Breathwork
Body scans
Gentle movement
However, Dr. Varian notes that at-home exercises are not a substitute for deep work with a therapist.
“A therapist can help someone understand what they are experiencing in their body, tailor practices to their unique needs, and support them in moving through difficult sensations in a way that feels safe,” he shares. “If someone has a history of trauma or finds that body-based practices feel overwhelming, it can be helpful to explore these techniques with a therapist who can provide guidance and support.”
Learn More About How Somatic Therapy Can Support Your Mental Health Journey at Aspire Psychology
Curious to see if somatic therapy could be beneficial for you? At Aspire Psychology, our team of expert therapists is ready to help you get to the root of anxiety, depression, or PTSD and learn how to regulate your body and mind in a way that feels safe.
