What is Psychosomatic Therapy?

Psychosomatic therapy is a term that’s been used more frequently over the past few years as scientific research has proven that, as humans, we store memories, experience and emotions on a cellular level. Which means, it’s not “all in your head”; rather, our bodies hold data as well.

This is why many people express a feelings of “body anxiety” even in the absence of anxious “thoughts”. It’s also why you may find yourself not feeling very safe in your own skin on certain occasions, times of year or in certain environments, even if there is no “apparent” reason. Often, your body is reminded of something {even when your mind does not} and is sending an alert, a pause, or even a danger signal.

A body based therapy to help you heal on a cellular level.

Initially, somatic therapies were created to help trauma survivors finally experience relief from their trauma symptoms such as flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, dysregulated eating patterns and chaotic relationships and lifestyles. (‘The Body Keeps the Score’ - Bessel van der Kolk)

However, over the last number of years, somatic therapy has been effective in helping individuals who struggle with all kinds of stressors and has been effective in helping them finally experience relief.

Areas such as : relationship, intimacy, those seeking a feeling of security, wanting to feel trust, over/under achievers, parenting skills, managing anxiety, working though depression and other emotional difficulties.

Therapies which focus on talking about “tough stuff”, learning skills or solely rely on the psychodynamic relationship without somatic , mind-body awareness or trauma interventions can be helpful up until a certain point.

Sometimes, clients are “doing” all the right things, but somehow aren’t feeling relief. This often happens when the therapy emphasizes focuses on “brain-based issues”, often assuming the mind and thinking style to be causing psychological distress. However, many times, it isn’t “just in your head”, and it’s not always related to an anxious, depressive or nervous wracking thought that is the cause of the problem.

When your distress is carved on your body; not in your mind.

In certain instances, the brain and body have been wired {based on experiences], leaving the body with unconscious, deeply-rooted beliefs that are not accessible by cognitive approaches such as “I am bad” , “I’m alone”, or “I won’t ever heal”, many times, the person may not even be aware of the beliefs they carry until confronted with a deep struggle related to it.

These somatic approaches utilize an integrative whole-body approach to psychotherapy, to help clients access the body-based beliefs and release experiences that have been held on the body. These approaches are to experience long term relief.

How does Somatic therapy work?

Somatic therapy doesn’t focus on talking about or reliving trauma.  It doesn’t have to involve touch or body-work.  It listens to and uses the ‘voice’ of the body, which it calls the ‘felt sense’.   Examples of this voice would be: physical sensations like warmth, coldness, tingling, and contraction; or eyes consciously seeing objects/colors or ears consciously hearing sounds in the immediate environment.  Paying attention to these sensations in the moment, moment-to-moment, helps the body’s self healing mechanisms do their work.  Trapped stress energy is safely discharged, which helps restore you to equilibrium, calming your system, allowing optimal functioning.

The process is supported by your own inner resources, so you’re a key part of the process.  I will show you how to use your inner resources to bring about a sense of safety to your body and mind as you help your body restore its balance.

Is Somatic Therapy like talk therapy?

It is not like talk therapy. The cognitive mind and the stories you’ve maybe previously told yourself or others may have told you over and over again are gently put aside. It is an opportunity to tune into the body and listen closely to the truth it wants to share with you.

We are talking, but we are also listening.

Are you a licensed therapist?

I am certified Psychosomatic Practitioner.
I am not a licensed mental health Psychoanalysis or Psychotherapist.

I do not diagnose or treat.
I encourage the expansion of your mind to overcome your ailments.

I am certified and accredited in the following therapies:
- Compassion
- Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
- Thought Field Therapy (TFT)
- Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Aqua Therapy
- Somatic Breathwork + Body Awareness

How is somatic therapy different from traditional mental health therapy?

Mental health therapy is based on the mind being the control center of the body and the theory “I think, therefore I am.” Somatic therapy is based on the theory that the mind exists within the body, they are not separate. 

Mental health therapy, or psychotherapy, treats symptoms with talk therapy and medication. Talk therapy is a modality of expressing emotion and telling the stories about our life experiences. In talk therapy we use words to describe our reality. Somatic therapy hypothesizes that everything happens in the body - all of our life experiences are processed as information through our bodies. This information is then disseminated to our systems to establish patterns of thought and behavior. The cells in our humans bodies each have something valuable to share with us.

In somatic therapy, the body is used as the access point for healing, uncovering the root of issues or concerns about self. Somatic therapy allows us to listen to what our body has to say about its experience, rather than listening to our conscious mind and holding onto those stories.

Are sessions in person or virtual or both?

I work with clients in person, in and around Medford, OR and online or facetime for virtual sessions.

Is a somatic therapy session movement based? Or talk based?

Somatic therapy is more based on a stillness. But is being guided with talk. Focusing on turning inward to explore the body’s landscape. During the session, the client is either, sitting, lying down on their back, or in the water.

I bring gentle contact and subtle movement to major parts of the body like the feet, hips, shoulders and head. The “talk” that is used is a dialogue between myself and the client, and the client with their own body and even parts of their body with other parts of their body. I pose questions throughout for the client to deepen their awareness and respond with what they notice happening the body and where. Further questioning allows the client to further describe and excavate the sensations they are aware of and experiencing in their body. The body iterates to the client, the themes held within it that need to be acknowledged, attuned to and tended. This is how the healing occurs. 
So, both and all modalities are used.

What forms of movement do you use most during your somatic sessions?

During your somatic sessions you are in control of your body. The movements you make are completely up to you and what you are feeling. If the client agrees prior to, I may help stagnant energy move through with light touch if I see the client needing a little guidance during a release.
If your body feels called to stretch, move, walk , or scream, you are encouraged to do so.

Who is somatic therapy ideal for?

Somatic therapy is ideal for someone in need of emotional regulation and healing so that they can show up in their life as they desire. For someone who had previous experienced a traumatic event, big or small, which is us all, and needs to be safely guided into the resulting trauma response and patterning held in the body. Someone who needs guidance to body awareness, to awaken the soul within to truly start living.

Do all somatic therapists work the same?

It's important to note that somatic psychology is based on a theory that emphasizes the importance of the body in psychotherapy.  However, there is a wide range of models, methods, techniques, and theories that fall under the somatic psychology category.  Although somatic therapists most likely operate under the same main belief about the wisdom of the body, it is likely each therapist may incorporate specific training and  education in ways that will greatly influence their work with clients.  

I believe that healing and transformation happens within present moment experiences, and my goal is to guide you towards accessing more information and lead you to the path of new transformative experiences of wholeness.  I believe this leads to growth, paradigm shifts, changes to old patterns and MORE CHOICE.  This belief deeply influences my work with clients and is imperative for change and expansion of self growth.