Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy is a holistic approach to healing that focuses on the connection between mind and body, helping individuals release stress, trauma, and emotional blockages that are stored in the body. This therapy recognises that trauma and unresolved emotions can manifest physically, and by bringing awareness to these sensations, we can promote healing and emotional well-being.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic Therapy is based on the understanding that our bodies hold onto trauma, stress, and emotions that may not have been fully processed. These unaddressed feelings can show up as physical tension, chronic pain, or other physical symptoms. By paying attention to bodily sensations, movements, and tension, this therapy aims to bring about emotional release and balance.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on verbal processing, Somatic Therapy engages both the body and mind. It integrates body awareness practices such as breathwork, mindful movement, and grounding exercises to help you become more attuned to how your body reacts to stress or trauma.
To learn more about the benefits of body-based therapies, visit Somatic Experiencing International.
How Somatic Therapy Works
In Somatic Therapy, we focus on building awareness of your body’s sensations and how they may relate to emotional stress or trauma. Together, we will explore physical symptoms like tension, discomfort, or pain, and use therapeutic techniques to release these stored emotions. Techniques may include:
- Body Scanning: Bringing awareness to specific areas of tension or discomfort in the body.
- Grounding Exercises: Techniques that help bring you back to the present moment and establish a sense of safety.
- Breathwork: Using controlled breathing techniques to calm the nervous system and reduce stress.
By working with your body’s natural responses, Somatic Therapy helps create a deeper connection between your emotional and physical self, allowing for more effective healing.
Benefits of Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy can help alleviate a variety of physical and emotional symptoms associated with trauma, stress, and anxiety. It is particularly effective for individuals who feel disconnected from their bodies or struggle with chronic pain or tension. This therapy helps release emotional blockages, reduces physical symptoms, and fosters a deeper sense of self-awareness and emotional balance.
Why Choose Somatic Therapy at Restorative Counselling?
At Restorative Counselling, I offer Somatic Therapy to help you reconnect with your body and release the emotional tension that may be stored within. My approach is gentle, compassionate, and focused on creating a safe environment where you can heal both physically and emotionally. By combining body awareness with emotional exploration, we can work together to restore balance and well-being.
If you’re ready to explore the benefits of Somatic Therapy, contact me today to learn more. Let’s work together to release stored trauma and build a stronger connection between your mind and body for a more peaceful and balanced life.
FAQs
Counselling works best when you recognise that you’re struggling and can no longer continue as you are, and you want to make changes in your life but don’t know how. Sometimes, it may feel almost impossible to know what these changes should be. Often, the insights that arise are created during sessions through deep discussions and are developed between sessions.
Counselling can be challenging, as it may bring old memories, feelings, and past hurts to the surface. However, sharing these thoughts and feelings will give you a clearer understanding of why they still cause you pain, an ability to reduce that pain, and even help you find healing from those experiences.
I offer a Humanistic Integrative approach in a person-centred way. This means that we focus on you as an individual, working with your agenda, allowing you to explore those difficult memories and feelings. I use a combination of approaches to suit your individual needs because I believe one size does not fit all. We are all unique.
This is entirely up to you and something we can discuss during our initial consultation. Sometimes, starting with six sessions can be beneficial, and during these sessions, we can review whether you would like to continue or terminate them. Short-term counselling can be helpful during an immediate crisis to support you through it.
Long-term counselling allows for a deeper exploration of your problems, helping you understand how they affect you and where they stem from. We can start with weekly sessions and later move to fortnightly or every three weeks, depending on the situation and what would benefit you. Remember, this is your decision. At the end, we can have a final review and look at ways to help you move forward in your life, making the transition as safe and comfortable as possible.
Often, you will know when your counselling is nearing its end. You will feel more confident and at peace within yourself, and the memories will not cause you as much pain. You will be able to reflect on them in a way that no longer distresses you. We will discuss how you would like to conclude the counselling process.
We can have a final review a few weeks after counselling ends to see how you have been coping and how you’ve incorporated these changes into your daily life.
I currently charge £50 per session. I also offer concessions for those in need and will try to match your income, as I understand that affording regular counselling can be challenging.
For students studying for their Diploma or another qualification who need hours towards their personal counselling, I also offer a concession if needed.
Your first appointment may seem daunting, but it’s an opportunity for us to meet and get to know each other. We can then discuss how we can best work together and how I may be able to help you.
I also offer a free 20-minute phone call to briefly discuss the therapy and how we can begin.
