Q&A with a Somatic Therapist, Your Most Common Questions

We’ve all been there - including me! You’ve talked through a problem, analysed it from every angle, and understood it intellectually. Yet you still feel a persistent sense of unease, or you’re still getting triggered in certain situations or finding you’re upset. This is because our bodies hold stories that our minds alone cannot tell or resolve. You need a somatic therapist.

They will guide you through a somatic approach to healing and therapy, a powerful way to improve mental and emotional health that works with the body as the pathway to healing.

While gaining popularity, it's often misunderstood. If you're curious, skeptical, or simply wondering what it’s all about, you're not alone. So let me demystify this powerful modality by addressing some of the most common questions and concerns.

1. What Exactly Is Somatic Therapy?

The word "somatic" comes from the Greek word soma, meaning "the living body." At its core, somatics are a body-centred approach to psychotherapy and coaching. It operates on the principle that our thoughts, emotions, and past experiences including trauma, are not just stored in our minds but are also held in our physical bodies. This then influences our nervous system, response to stress, relationships, posture and pain receptors, and even our physical health.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which primarily engages the cognitive brain (the "top-down" approach), a somatic approach works from the "bottom-up." It focuses on the internal physical sensations, or "felt sense," to help release stored tension, regulate the nervous system, and heal deep-seated wounds.

2. How is This Different from Regular Talk Therapy?

Imagine your anxiety is like a smoke alarm that's constantly going off. Talk therapy might help you understand why the alarm was installed and what events might have triggered it in the past. This is incredibly valuable.

Listening to your body on the other hand, takes you to the alarm itself and helps you learn how to access its wiring. It teaches you to notice the physical signals of the alarm system (a racing heart, shallow breath, clenched jaw) and gives you the tools to help the nervous system understand that the danger has passed, allowing the alarm to finally turn off. The two approaches are wonderfully complementary, with somatic work directly engaging the physiological source of the distress bringing integration with the cognitive understanding of what happened.

3. Is This 'New-Age Woo-Woo' or is There Science Behind It?

This is a valid and important question. While the practice involves deep attunement to the body, it is firmly rooted in neuroscience and biology. Somatic practices are built on our understanding of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which controls our fight, flight, and freeze responses.

Pioneers like Dr. Peter Levine (creator of Somatic Experiencing®) and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (author of The Body Keeps the Score) have shown how traumatic events can dysregulate the ANS, leaving it stuck in a state of high alert. Somatic practices are designed to help the nervous system complete self-protective responses that were "stuck" or interrupted during a stressful event, thereby restoring a natural state of balance and safety.

4. What Actually Happens in a Typical Session? Will It Be Awkward?

A somatic session is often much gentler and less intimidating than people imagine. It is not an exercise class or a massage. I will guide you to develop a sense of awareness and curiosity about your inner physical landscape. This is so helpful, because with that awareness comes choice, agency, and empowerment over your lived experience.

A session might involve:

• Tracking Sensations: I may ask, "As you talk about that, what do you notice happening inside your body?" You might identify a tightness in your chest, a warmth in your hands, or a sense of emptiness in your gut. There's no right or wrong answer - this is all about YOUR unique experience.

• Mindful Movement: You might be gently guided to explore a posture, gesture, or small movement that your body naturally wants to make. This could be as simple as pushing a hand forward or turning your head.

• Breath and Grounding: You will learn techniques to use your breath and your connection to the ground (the feeling of your feet on the floor, your body in the chair) to create a sense of safety and stability in the present moment.

The entire process is collaborative and done at your pace. The goal is not to force a dramatic release but to slowly and safely build your capacity to tolerate difficult sensations and emotions. The idea being you get better at feeling, rather than simply wanting to feel better. Clever, right?

5. Do I Have to Be Touched?

This is perhaps the most significant concern, especially for survivors of trauma. The answer is clear: No, touch is not a requirement for somatics to be effective. In fact, I don’t touch you at all.

The way I use somatic modalities mean they can be practiced without any physical contact. I may encourage self-touch, placing a hand where you are feeling a sensation of tightness for example, or light tapping or bilateral stimulation.

If used, therapeutic touch is very simple and supportive to help you connect with the sensations you may have been blanking out for years. This could be a hand on the upper chest or shoulder to provide a sense of comfort, or gentle pressure on your knee to enhance a feeling of being grounded. You are always in control and your body will guide you as to what it needs in that moment.

6. What Kinds of Issues Can Somatic Therapy Help With?

Because it works at the level of the nervous system, somatic therapy is remarkably effective for a wide range of issues, including:

• Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Anxiety and panic attacks

• Depression

• Chronic stress and burnout

• Grief and loss

• Chronic pain and other physical symptoms linked to stress

It helps people move from a state of merely surviving to one where they feel more present, alive, and connected to themselves and the world around them.

Finding Your Way Back to Yourself

Somatics in therapy and coaching is not about erasing the past, but about unburdening your body from the lingering effects of trauma, stress, anxiety, and self-disgust. It's a compassionate and empowering journey of listening to the wisdom your body already holds. By learning your body’s language of sensation and impulse, you can finally provide it with the safety and completion it needs to heal, allowing you to live more fully and freely in the present.

If you are interested in working with me one to one, use the button below to book a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your concerns.