Examining Different Types of Somatic Therapy Approaches
The concept of somatic healing is something I’ve talked about and will keep talking about. One reason for this is the reality that we live in a culture that likes to talk about a mind-body connection. This, of course, is a crucial topic, but it’s important not to view your mind and body as two unrelated entities. The connection is so deep as to sometimes be invisible.
No health concern is limited to either the mind or body. They are intricately connected and thus must be treated as such. Enter somatic therapy. The blend of bodywork and therapy is a powerful holistic source of healing.
How Do Different Types of Somatic Therapy Work?
Put simply, these approaches are designed to help us recognize when emotional distress is showing up in the form of ongoing physical pain and discomfort. When a physical symptom is addressed and healed, it’s a giant step toward full recovery. Again, it’s all part of the great whole.
When a skilled practitioner combines approaches like talk therapy with something like yoga, breathing, massage, and more, you can experience improvement in multiple ways. Such an outcome will enhance your recovery process. As your body begins to feel better, you’re better able to release the emotions and memories that played a role in the physical discomfort in the first place. Those feelings are then more accessible and manageable.
To help you grasp what all of this means, let’s take a much closer look at a diverse approach called somatic experiencing.
3 Basic Techniques of Somatic Experiencing
The genesis of this healing modality is unusual and fascinating. When non-human animals sense the presence of a threat, they will often slip naturally into a state of trembling and shaking. What’s intriguing is how quickly animals can calm down after a crisis. It’s believed that the physical movements they utilize during the traumatic event release the negative energy. On the same note, humans can also use physical movements to resolve painful thoughts and memories.
In somatic experiencing (SE), these three tactics are what make the healing happen:
1. Resourcing
In times of stress, we can forget positive memories. We may brush aside our strong points. Resourcing gets its name from the act of taking inventory of your resources. What gifts and experiences do you have that can assist you when you’re in danger? With the help of your therapist, you stockpile your resources to fortify you when the inevitable ups and downs happen.
2. Titration
The next step involves you doing the work to understand the association between your bodily sensations and their emotional source. This effort can point you in the right direction when it comes to prioritizing your needs. As you gain skill in connecting cause and effect, you are in a strong position to do a triage of sorts. You know what needs your attention first.
3. Pendulation
To combine resourcing with titration, you use pendulation. In other words, when negative memories and fears rear their ugly heads, you now have the resources to shut them down. These resources include body movements that can serve the same purpose as shaking does for a wild animal.
Let’s Get You Started!
Your mind and body create much more than a connection. It’s better perceived as an inseparable partnership — somatic therapy factors in this partnership to empower you to live with confidence and resilience. Regardless of what happened to you in the past, with the help of a somatic or anxiety therapist, you can resolve the lingering triggers and fears.
You can thrive again. You can move forward into the best part of your life, and it begins with a free consultation.