It's estimated that 6 out of 10 people will experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or related disorders within their lifetime.
One way to treat PTSD and other related trauma disorders is through somatic therapy(ST) — a great tool for addressing trauma and its physical and emotional effects.
Did you know?
Dr. Peter Levine first invented somatic therapy (ST) in the 1970s by observing traumatic experiences in animal behavior.
What is Somatic Therapy?
"Somatic" means "relating to the body". The mind and body coexist and depend on each other to create a healthy whole.
For example, if your mind is feeling stressed, you'll notice symptoms in your body such as high blood pressure or tension.
Photo by Mor Shani on UnsplashWhen "somatic" is combined with the word "therapy", meaning "to relieve or heal", we heal through the process of relating our mind to the body.
During ST treatment, therapists use mind and body techniques, such as:
breathing
meditation
body movement
Did you know?
Trauma and stress are stored in the hippocampus and amygdala, which are the brain's centers for memory and emotions.
Benefits of Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy can help people in many areas:
Body awareness: ST emphasizes the connection between the mind and body. This helps develop a deeper awareness of bodily sensations, emotions, and patterns of tension.
Trauma resolution: ST addresses trauma and its physical and emotional effects. This process helps to reduce stored trauma, allowing for healing and growth.
Stress reduction: ST uses breath work, body scans, mindful movement, and other relaxation techniques. This cultivates a sense of safety and reduces the impact of stressors on the body.
Enhanced well-being: ST can help people experience increased energy and overall better health. By releasing tension, trauma, and emotional blockages, ST helps restore balance.
Emotional regulation: ST helps individuals develop skills to regulate their emotions more effectively. By learning to notice bodily sensations associated with different emotions, people can gain greater control over their emotional states and respond to triggers more adaptively.
Example of Somatic Therapy
The video clip below is an example of how body scans are used in ST to calm the mind and body.
Try practicing along with Jen! 👇
Quiz
What are some potential benefits of somatic therapy?
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