The mind and body are inextricably linked. Our emotions and thoughts have the power to produce physical reactions in our bodies. As a result, a traumatic or very stressful event in your life may cause mental and physical symptoms that can feel overwhelming or hard to contain.
When you are stressed or anxious, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline stress hormones.
The adrenaline rush helps you deal with stressful situations and get out of danger quickly. So, the goal is to provide your body with the energy boost needed for the “fight, flight, or freeze” response.
However, suppose you feel stressed or nervous for an extended period. In that case, this increased release of stress hormones can harm your body. For example, stress can weaken your immune system and cause high blood pressure, headaches, chest pain, an upset stomach, sleep problems, and a wide range of emotional issues, among other things.
This is where somatic therapy in Seattle, WA can help.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic psychotherapy is a type of body-centered mental health therapy. Anxiety, depression, or trauma can trigger various reactions in the body. It is best to identify symptoms in the body after a traumatic event.
Therapists for somatic treatment use a mind-body approach to help relieve physical tension. Such as chronic pain, respiratory problems, digestive issues, sleep difficulties, and muscle tension.
Somatic therapy stops the brain from processing the painful event to help you heal. Somatic therapy in Seattle, WA uses relaxation techniques, meditation, and traditional psychotherapy.
What Conditions Can Somatic Therapy Address?
Somatic psychotherapy can treat a variety of mental health issues, such as:
A Body-Centered Approach to Treating Trauma
Most people find themselves stuck in the aftermath of a terrifying event.
For some traumatic events, you are unable to completely absorb what occurred.
Unfortunately, many trauma survivors struggle with mental health or substance use.
Lacking tools to help work through trauma affects health and productivity.
Somatic therapy can help you become more aware of your emotions. You will process feelings that have been blocked or suppressed because of trauma. Somatic therapists use body-centered practices. Mindfulness, deep breathing, meditation, and yoga help you relax your body.
You will become aware of the feelings and emotional impact caused by the traumatic event.
In somatic therapy, you can learn to manage repressed emotions.
Studies show that somatic psychotherapy can improve your self-esteem and increase your resilience. Emotional awareness can help you become more aware of the mind and body connection. This allows you to work through emotions. You will start to trust your ability to sit with strong emotions (feel your feelings). Relieve tension, and feel reconnected to yourself and others!
Types of Somatic Therapy
Some of the most common forms of somatic therapy include EMDR, somatic experiencing, Hakomi, and sensorimotor therapy.
EMDR Therapy in Seattle, WA
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), originated by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. The client recalls a traumatic experience while undergoing bilateral visual, auditory, or tactile stimulation. The goal of EMDR is to help you overcome emotional distress linked to PTSD and other stressors. Online EMDR relieves negative emotions and thoughts from a traumatic event.
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented modality created by Peter Levine, Ph.D. It’s used in counseling, physical therapy, and school settings. Traumatic events can get stuck in the body and create pain and discomfort.
A somatic therapist observes your physical responses as you recall stressful events.
Physical responses such as how you’re breathing, swallowing, and body adjustments. You will share any somatic sensations that come up throughout the session. This will strengthen your sense of safety while processing the event.
Hakomi
Hakomi therapy is experiential, body-centered psychotherapy originated by Ron Kurtz. The Hakomi Method has five principles: mindfulness, organicity, nonviolence, mind-body integration, and unity. The principles of Buddhism and Taoism.
A somatic therapist will work to identify images, memories, emotions, and beliefs. This will ultimately increase somatic awareness. The concepts emphasize mindfulness, self-compassion, and empathy. According to Hakomi therapy, our body is a gateway into our unconscious. The client learns to identify unconscious beliefs that have kept you stuck in your life.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor therapy is another body-centered therapeutic approach created by Pat Ogden.
You will somatically find ways to turn adversity into strengths. Sensorimotor therapy incorporates cognitive, emotional, and somatic experiences with a body-centered focus.
Interventions will help you feel more grounded while moving through trauma responses. The retelling of the traumatic event is not necessary for healing and closure. Somatic psychotherapy in Seattle, WA aims to help you feel less overwhelmed.
Summary
Learn how somatic therapy in Seattle, WA can help relieve physical tension.
Breathing exercises, yoga, and mindfulness will help you connect to your bodily experience. As well as help you let go of stuck energy and process what you went through on a deeper level. A somatic therapist can teach you to become more tolerant of unpleasant emotions.
Physiological sensations, negative cognitive patterns, and suppressed emotions are released. Feel more capable of managing strong emotions. Enhance your self-esteem and resilience while alleviating mental, emotional, and physical discomfort.
Consider Starting Somatic Psychotherapy in Seattle, WA
Relieve the physical strain trauma has on you, and improve your mind and body connection. Address anxiety, depression, and stress through somatic therapy in Seattle, WA. I’m also happy to offer online services to support you from the comfort of your home. To start your therapy journey, please follow these simple steps:
- Schedule a free 20- minute consultation. Learn more about how somatic psychotherapy can help you.
- Meet the skilled and licensed therapist
- Start your journey to feeling better today!
Other Counseling Services at Inner Wisdom
Different life issues that we experience are complex. All life challenges need to be broken down and addressed on every level to help live life to the fullest. Inner Wisdom offers an array of services including depression treatment, EMDR therapy, treatment for anxiety, and life transitions therapy. LGBTQIA+ therapy and online therapy are also offered across the state of Washington. Contact inner Wisdom today!
Looking for help for my 18 yo. We are in Seattle. Do you do online therapy???