Somatically-Informed Trauma Therapy
"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness." - Dr. Peter A. Levine
What Is Somatically Informed Trauma Therapy?
Somatically informed trauma therapy recognizes that trauma isn't just stored in our memories and thoughts, it lives in our bodies. This approach integrates the understanding that traumatic experiences become encoded in our nervous system and physical sensations, creating patterns that can persist long after the event has passed.
Unlike traditional talk therapy alone, this approach acknowledges that healing from trauma requires attention to both mind and body. By working with physical sensations, movements, and bodily awareness alongside emotional processing, clients can access deeper levels of healing that talking alone might not reach.
How It Works
Our work together will integrate:
Body awareness - Learning to notice and track physical sensations as they arise
Nervous system regulation - Developing skills to calm your body's stress responses
Mindful movement - Using gentle, intentional movement to release trapped energy
Boundary development - Building a stronger sense of physical and emotional boundaries
Resource building - Identifying and strengthening internal and external resources
Integration - Making meaning of experiences while processing them physically and emotionally
Sessions are collaborative and paced according to your needs. Safety and empowerment are central to our approach, you always remain in control of the process.
Who Can Benefit
This approach is especially helpful for adults and teens experiencing:
Anxiety, panic attacks, or unexplained physical symptoms
Trauma from accidents, medical procedures, or natural disasters
Relational or developmental trauma
Chronic stress and its physical manifestations
Difficulty feeling present or connected to your body
PTSD or complex trauma
Feeling "stuck" despite previous therapy attempts
Why Somatic Trauma Therapy?
Research has consistently shown that trauma impacts our bodies and brains in ways that can't always be addressed through cognitive approaches alone. As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk notes in his groundbreaking work, "The Body Keeps the Score," trauma leaves physiological imprints that require body-based interventions.
By integrating somatic awareness into our therapeutic work, we can:
Access healing at deeper levels than talk therapy alone
Develop sustainable skills for nervous system regulation
Create lasting change in trauma responses
Reconnect with bodily wisdom and intuition
Build resilience against future stressors
What To Expect
Our work together begins with establishing safety and building resources before diving into trauma processing. Sessions might include:
Guided awareness exercises
Breathing and grounding techniques
Gentle movement explorations
Traditional therapeutic conversation
Practicing regulation skills
Gradual exposure to difficult sensations in a controlled, safe environment
The pace is always determined by your needs and readiness. Many clients report feeling more embodied, grounded, and present even after initial sessions.
Begin Your Healing Journey
Trauma healing is possible. Your body holds not only the imprints of difficult experiences but also the innate wisdom to heal from them. Through our work together, you can discover pathways to greater freedom, connection, and wellbeing.
Contact me today to schedule an initial consultation and learn more about how somatically informed trauma therapy can support your unique healing journey.
Contact us
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