What is Somatic Therapy?
Regular talk therapy focusses on thoughts in the mind where Somatic Therapy creates a curiosity of how thoughts, feelings and sensations are experienced within the body. Just as Bessel Van Der Kolk describes in his best-selling book, “The Body Keeps the Score”; memories, experiences and traumas are stored within the body. It is by becoming aware of these internal sensations that we are then able to move traumas from within for deeper healing and understanding to take place.
In my practice I use a variety of Somatic Therapies to support moving feelings and experiences from the body including Integrative Body Psychotherapy, Sensory-somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal theory, Sound Therapy and Somatic Experiencing. If you have any questions about this powerful approach to healing, feel free to reach out and book a complimentary call.
The Therapeutic approach of Somatic therapy, recognizes the intricate connection between the mind and body. It acknowledges that emotional experiences can manifest physically in the form of tension, pain, or discomfort. It also acknowledges that resources and healing can also be felt within the body through sensations, awareness and mindfulness. Through Somatic Therapy, individuals learn to listen to their body's cues, sensations, and movements to access and process unresolved emotions stored within the body.
Somatic therapy techniques may include:
1. Body Awareness: Practicing mindfulness and paying attention to bodily sensations.
2. Breathwork: Utilizing breath to regulate emotions and connect with the present moment. When we use the breath in a conscious way, we are also working to regulate the nervous system and creating a muscle memory within the body as tools you may use outside of session.
3. Movement: Engaging in gentle movements or exercises to release tension and promote emotional expression.
4. Sound Healing: Incorporating Crystal Bowls and Gong meditations within our sessions allows for a deeper relaxation and opportunity to move further into awareness of what is being felt within.
By integrating these techniques, somatic therapy aims to help individuals release stored trauma, reduce stress, and cultivate a greater sense of well-being.
Regular talk therapy focusses on thoughts in the mind where Somatic Therapy creates a curiosity of how thoughts, feelings and sensations are experienced within the body. Just as Bessel Van Der Kolk describes in his best-selling book, “The Body Keeps the Score”; memories, experiences and traumas are stored within the body. It is by becoming aware of these internal sensations that we are then able to move traumas from within for deeper healing and understanding to take place.
In my practice I use a variety of Somatic Therapies to support moving feelings and experiences from the body including Integrative Body Psychotherapy, Sensory-somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal theory, Sound Therapy and Somatic Experiencing. If you have any questions about this powerful approach to healing, feel free to reach out and book a complimentary call.
The Therapeutic approach of Somatic therapy, recognizes the intricate connection between the mind and body. It acknowledges that emotional experiences can manifest physically in the form of tension, pain, or discomfort. It also acknowledges that resources and healing can also be felt within the body through sensations, awareness and mindfulness. Through Somatic Therapy, individuals learn to listen to their body's cues, sensations, and movements to access and process unresolved emotions stored within the body.
Somatic therapy techniques may include:
1. Body Awareness: Practicing mindfulness and paying attention to bodily sensations.
2. Breathwork: Utilizing breath to regulate emotions and connect with the present moment. When we use the breath in a conscious way, we are also working to regulate the nervous system and creating a muscle memory within the body as tools you may use outside of session.
3. Movement: Engaging in gentle movements or exercises to release tension and promote emotional expression.
4. Sound Healing: Incorporating Crystal Bowls and Gong meditations within our sessions allows for a deeper relaxation and opportunity to move further into awareness of what is being felt within.
By integrating these techniques, somatic therapy aims to help individuals release stored trauma, reduce stress, and cultivate a greater sense of well-being.
Looking For A Calgary Somatic Therapy?
The work we do together is about creating lasting healing and the most effective way for this to happen is for you to feel that coming from within, not from outside of yourself; this is what Somatic Therapy supports. By tapping into inner strength through meditation, mindfulness and noticing the present moment, one is then able to access this inner strength, the felt sense, intuition, and part of self that is beyond physical form when it is needed most. By developing a relationship to where your inner power lives, what it looks like and the way it feels, a stronger sense of self emerges where we can move deeper into healing with a sense of safety.
Life can be harsh and over time chip away at our sense of self and inner strength. Through Somatic Therapy, a sense of control (which has often been taken), over conscious and unconscious memories from our past, supports a deeper and lasting healing for one to move from surviving, into thriving. Once we tap into these inner sensations and feeling within, we move into creating representations of them in the art. This is where the magic can happen with this process speeding up therapy and recovery.
Life can be harsh and over time chip away at our sense of self and inner strength. Through Somatic Therapy, a sense of control (which has often been taken), over conscious and unconscious memories from our past, supports a deeper and lasting healing for one to move from surviving, into thriving. Once we tap into these inner sensations and feeling within, we move into creating representations of them in the art. This is where the magic can happen with this process speeding up therapy and recovery.
The Benefits of Integrating Somatic Therapy with Art Therapy?
If you are seeking a holistic approach to healing that encompasses both mind and body, Somatic therapy, when integrated with Art Therapy, offers a powerful avenue for exploring and addressing emotional and psychological challenges. In this page, we delve into what Somatic Therapy entails and the benefits of combining it with Art Therapy.
Art therapy, like somatic therapy, provides a unique avenue for exploring and expressing emotions. By integrating somatic therapy with art therapy, individuals can experience a comprehensive and multi-dimensional approach to healing. Some of the key benefits include:
1. Enhanced Emotional Expression: Art therapy allows individuals to express emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally. By combining somatic techniques, clients can access deeper layers of emotional expression, connecting with their feelings on both a physical and creative level.
2. Integration of Mind and Body: Somatic therapy emphasizes the connection between physical sensations and emotional experiences. When integrated with art therapy, individuals can explore how their emotions manifest in their bodies and translate these experiences into artistic expression, fostering a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection. When feelings and emotions within are moved from the body and into a creative expression outside of the body, a deeper understanding and perspective is offered.
3. Increased Self-Awareness: Through somatic exploration and creative expression, individuals gain insight into their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This heightened self-awareness can lead to greater self-compassion, acceptance, and empowerment. When we are able to visualize an expression within the body by looking at our art, a memory of this shift and expression is stored in the brain which allows for understanding as situations arise outside of therapy. Images created can also become a resource and a reminder of strength that loves within.
4. Trauma Resolution: Somatic therapy is particularly effective in addressing trauma stored in the body. When combined with art therapy, individuals can process traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment, allowing for healing and integration on both physical and emotional levels. Safety is key in the work we do. Although it may not feel safe for everyone to be in one’s body, as we work somatically, we begin to develop tolerance towards difficult feelings and experiences accessing greater levels of healing.
5. Stress Reduction and Relaxation: Somatic techniques such as breathwork and gentle movement can help individuals regulate their nervous system, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. When paired with art therapy, these techniques can enhance the creative process, fostering a sense of calm and centeredness.
In summary, integrating somatic therapy with art therapy offers a holistic approach to healing that honors the interconnectedness of mind, body, and creative expression.
Whether you're seeking to address trauma, manage stress, or cultivate self-awareness, this integrative approach provides a supportive framework for personal growth and transformation. If you're ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing, you are invited to explore the powerful synergy of somatic therapy and art therapy combined.
