WHAT IS SOMATIC TRAUMA THERAPY?

Somatic Trauma Therapy combines talk therapy with a focus on the body. It is a very effective way of working with stress and trauma held within the body at a cellular level. It helps to relieve the physical and emotional distress and dysfunction that trauma can cause.

Through getting in touch with the felt sense within us, we can find resources to help us regulate and build islands of safety within the body and improve general wellbeing. This offers opportunity to invite in the orphaned parts and find the origin of the undigested experiences coming to the surface. We can then objectively explore internal struggles and bring integration and objectivity into processing these sensations, allowing for a shift in orientation.

The focus of this work is on guiding and tracking physical sensations within the body in such a way that it doesn't overwhelm the nervous system, allowing opportunity for self regulation, trauma resolution, peace and self healing.

This therapy is based on the work of Peter Levine (Somatic experiencing) and Babette Rothschild (Somatic Trauma Therapy).

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN THIS SUPPORT?

Somatic Trauma Therapy prioritises the connection between the mind and the body to help support both the physical and psychological symptoms. 

The aim of this therapy is to become aware of the body’s sensations and to use this awareness to work through painful and upsetting sensations which are taking their toll on the individual’s wellbeing. This therapy can be particularly helpful when working through certain mental health conditions:

*Anxiety *Depression *Trauma *Grief

*PTSD - (Can include flashbacks/nightmares, avoidance, mistrust, hyperarousal & somatic symptoms)

*CPTSD - (Can include difficulty with relationships, negative self perception, dissociation, lack of emotional regulation, loss of meaning, physical symptoms & regular suicidal feelings)

*Symptoms can vary widely from person to person with PTSD/CPTSD*