When you think about mental health treatment, you think about the mind. The mind is where you store your thoughts and feelings. The mind is an important part of mental health and trauma treatment, but the body is frequently left out. You are not a walking head. What happens to you in your life is not confined to the neck up! Your body is also impacted by mental health and trauma. Luckily, in recent years, there has been a shift in mental health treatment towards holistic approaches. These acknowledge how the mind and body are connected! One type of holistic therapy is somatic therapy. Somatic therapy is grounded in the belief that trauma is stored in the body. This means that our physical sensations are linked to our emotional wellbeing. In short, the body affects the brain. In today's blog, we will explore the world of somatic therapy and what it's all about. We will answer the question, "Does Somatic Therapy Really Work?"

Understanding Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy is a broad term for many different types of body-centered therapies. One common type of somatic therapy is called Somatic Experiencing, developed by Dr. Peter Levine. Somatic therapy operates on the belief that your body retains and expresses traumatic experiences. Somatic therapy incorporates your thoughts as well as bodily sensations and movements. On the other hand, traditional “talk therapy” mostly focuses on how you think and what you feel. The goal of somatic therapy is to release stored tension and trauma in the body. This can create greater self-awareness and emotional healing.

Somatic therapy sees the mind and body as interconnected. Through somatic techniques such as titration and pendulation, you begin to befriend your body. In somatic therapy, you learn how to attune to your inner sensations. This allows you to expand your window of tolerance. You also gain insight into the ways your body holds onto past experiences and emotions. Somatic therapy allows for deep healing and transformation not just in the mind, but in the body too.

Exploring Somatic Therapy Techniques

Somatic therapy does not have a protocol like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). A somatic therapist follows your nervous system to determine what technique is best to use. There are many different somatic therapy techniques used in treatment. We will explore three common techniques somatic therapists utilize!

Titration:

In Somatic Experiencing, titration refers to a therapeutic technique used to gradually process traumatic experiences or overwhelming emotions in a manageable way. Many of us may have heard the word "titration" in our high school chemistry class. In chemistry class, it meant the controlled addition of one substance to another until you reached a desired result. This is the same with Somatic Experiencing! We use titration while processing trauma to prevent your nervous system from being overwhelmed. Through the process of titration, Somatic Experiencing therapists help you approach the traumatic material in small, manageable doses. This allows your nervous system to regulate and prevent retraumatization. It is like dipping your toe in a pool versus being pushed in! Titration is an essential component of somatic therapy. It helps you balance trauma processing and maintaining a sense of safety and regulation.

Pendulation

In Somatic Experiencing, pendulation is used to process traumatic experiences or overwhelming emotions. The term "pendulation" originally comes from the motion of a pendulum swinging back and forth. They use this in somatic therapy to represent the natural rhythm of regulation and dysregulation within the nervous system.

Pendulation involves the therapist guiding you to move between two experiences. For example, you may be invited to notice the sensation of tension in your leg and then the sensation of lightness in your arm. You could also be asked to notice a distressing sensation in your body and a pleasant image outside of your body. By moving your attention between two different states, you can develop greater awareness of your internal experiences. It can also help you navigate the changes of your body better!

Vooo Sound

The Voo sound is a vocalization technique that helps regulate your nervous system and release tension in the body. The Voo sound is a low, deep, and resonant sound made with an open mouth and relaxed throat. It is often described as a gentle, soothing sound that resembles the cooing of a dove or the hum of a bee. The vibration generated by the Voo sound can help you connect with your body.

When making the Voo sound, you are encouraged to focus your attention on the vibration and resonance within your body. The breath should be coming from your stomach! It can be helpful to practice the Voo sound 2-3 times and pause between each set to check in with your body. Ask yourself in between, "what do I notice inside?"

Evidence-Based Research

Did you know that somatic therapy is an evidenced based treatment for PTSD? Recently, studies have supported somatic therapy as a treatment for mental health conditions including PTSD by a growing body of research. Studies have consistently shown the effectiveness of somatic approaches in reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression.

For instance, a study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that Somatic Experiencing significantly reduced symptoms of PTSD in trauma survivors. It found that somatic therapy helped participants release stored tension in their body. Participants were able to process traumatic experiences on a body level. This lead to a reduction in symptoms of trauma.

On the Somatic Experiencing International website, they regularly post updates about research. Evidenced based research is being conducted throughout the world with different populations and conditions.

Complementing Traditional Talk Therapy

Somatic therapy can be a stand alone treatment or done in conjunction with talk therapy! Somatic therapy is a great compliment to treatments like Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Internal Family Systems (IFS). Most somatic therapists are trained in other treatment modalities. As a result, they can offer you a personalized therapy treatment plan!

Finding the Right Somatic Therapist

Not all somatic therapists are trained the same. Meeting with a trained and experienced somatic therapist is important. At Embodied Wellness, our somatic therapists are trained through Somatic Experiencing International or EmbodyLab. Somatic Experiencing International is the only formal Somatic Experiencing Training in the world! When looking for a somatic therapist, it's important to ask about their credentials, experience, and approach to therapy. Additionally, scheduling a free therapy consultation can help you learn more about them and see if you might be compatible! You can learn about their approach and talk about your individual needs and goals.

Potential Benefits and Limitations

Somatic therapy offers many benefits if you have symptoms of trauma or PTSD. One of the main benefits is that you can recover from trauma without having to talk about your story. A lot of people fear going to therapy because they don't want to have to tell another human what has happened to them. In somatic therapy, you can share your trauma story if you want, but it is not necessary to heal! By gaining greater body awareness, you will learn how to reduce stress, manage anxiety, and regulate your emotions. Through somatic therapy, you can develop a deeper sense of self-compassion and acceptance. This creates a greater sense of resilience and well-being.

It is also important to acknowledge the negative effects of somatic therapy. Like any treatment, somatic therapy requires time, commitment, and consistent practice. It may take time for you to integrate somatic techniques into your daily life. It can also take time to experience lasting change. Additionally, somatic therapy may not be helpful for everyone. If you are experiencing symptoms of psychosis, you may need to treat that first before starting somatic therapy. 

In conclusion, somatic therapy does work!

How to Begin with Somatic Therapy in Ann Arbor and Detroit

Are you ready for a change? It’s time to give somatic therapy a try. Start today to feel more balanced and resilient. Somatic therapy offers practical tools to manage stress, anxiety, and trauma. Don't wait any longer to prioritize your well-being and unlock your full potential.

In begin somatic therapy at Embodied Wellness, PLLC follow these steps:

1. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation for somatic therapy today.

2. Make your first appointment with a somatic therapist near you!

3. Start to heal from trauma and PTSD symptoms

Additional Online Counseling Services We Provide in Detroit & Throughout Michigan

At Embodied Wellness, PLLC we offer many evidence based services for both adults and teenagers. We specialize in anxiety treatment, depression treatment, trauma therapy, and OCD treatment. Call today for a free 15 minute phone consultation.