Mindfulness and somatic therapy are two approaches to improving your mental health. Somatic therapy is all about how your body and emotions are connected. It helps you understand how things like stress or sadness can show up in your body as sensations, like tension or pain. Mindfulness is about being in the present moment without judging yourself. It teaches you to pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. As a result, you may feel less stressed and more calm. In this blog, we're going to explore the basics of somatic therapy and mindfulness. You will learn how they are similar, yet so different!

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy helps you understand your feelings and thoughts by noticing how your body is feeling. Your body’s feelings are also known as sensations. Somatic therapy has been around for decades, but recently it has become more popular. There has been a shift from a purely cognitive focus in mental health treatment to recognizing trauma symptoms are stored in the body. The word "somatic" comes from a Greek word that means "of the body." Therefore, somatic therapy is all about paying attention to what's happening in your body.

The main idea behind somatic therapy is that your body and mind are connected. So, if you're feeling stressed or sad, it can show up in your body. You might experience tight muscles or a fast heartbeat. Somatic therapists use exercises to help you notice sensations in your body! Once you notice them you can learn how to deal with them. They use techniques like breathing exercises, movement, or tracking your body's sensations. Your body gives you clues about how you're feeling. Somatic therapy helps you pay attention to those clues. If you notice that your stomach feels tight when you're anxious, this can help you figure out how to calm down.

Types of Somatic Therapy Online

There are different types of somatic therapy online including Somatic Experiencing and EMDR. One specific type is, Somatic Experiencing (SE), which was developed by Dr. Peter Levine. SE focuses on helping people who have been through traumatic experiences. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another type of somatic therapy online. This treatment uses bilateral stimulation to help people process difficult memories and feelings. Somatic therapy can help folks who experience anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is all about paying attention to the present moment without judging yourself. Its origins are in ancient practices like Buddhism but it is not religious or spiritual. The idea is for people to learn to focus on the here and now to find peace and calm.

The main idea behind mindfulness is to be aware of what's happening right now. That means noticing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without trying to change them. Instead of getting caught up in worries about the past or future, you learn to be with whatever is happening right now. You can practice mindfulness through many different exercises. Common exercises include meditation, breathing, or paying attention to what you are doing.

Things to Know

One of the most important things about mindfulness is its focus on being present and accepting things as they are. The idea is to not try to push away uncomfortable feelings or thoughts. Instead, you learn to acknowledge them without judgment. This can help you feel more calm and less stressed, even when things are hard. By practicing mindfulness, you can learn to be kinder to yourself and others.

There are different ways to practice mindfulness. Two common types are mindfulness-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and meditation. Mindfulness-based CBT combines cognitive techniques with mindfulness practices. This helps you change unhelpful thought patterns. Meditation involves sitting quietly and focusing on your breath or a specific object to train your mind to be more present. Both types can help reduce anxiety, depression, and trauma symptoms.

Different Foundation and Goals

Somatic therapy online and mindfulness may seem similar but there are many differences. One of their main differences is their philosophical foundation. Somatic therapy is based on the idea that our bodies and minds impact one another. It focuses on how your physical sensations, like tension or pain, can show what you are feeling. Bessel Van Der Kolk famously said, "The Body Keeps the Score," which means that trauma is held in the body. On the other hand, mindfulness is about being present without judgment.

Somatic therapy and mindfulness have different goals. Somatic therapy aims to help you regulate your nervous system. It's good for people who have been through tough things like trauma and grief and need help healing. Mindfulness is about reducing stress and anxiety by being aware of our thoughts and feelings in the moment.

Techniques and Personal Preference

The techniques they use are also different. Somatic therapy uses interventions such as tracking the nervous system, titration, and resourcing. It helps you notice how your emotions show up physically and learn how to deal with them. Mindfulness involves practices like meditation or paying attention to what's happening around you.

When it comes to somatic therapy online and mindfulness, one approach is not right for everyone! Some folks prefer somatic therapy because they like connecting to their body sensations. Others might like mindfulness because they like practices like meditation. It's important to talk with your therapist about what feels best for you! By understanding your preferences and needs, you can choose the approach that's most helpful for your mental health goals.

Combining Somatic Therapy Online & Mindfulness

Sometimes, somatic therapy and mindfulness can work well together. They have a lot of aspects in common! They both are focused on the present moment and help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. Due to these overlapping elements, many therapists integrate them into their practice. A therapist can use mindfulness during somatic therapy sessions to help you stay present and grounded in your body! This integration can provide you with a more holistic approach to healing.

In addition to integrating somatic therapy online and mindfulness, these approaches can also be combined with other evidence-based treatments. Other helpful combinations of treatments are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). CBT focuses on understanding and changing your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. Combining somatic therapy with CBT may help you explore how your body sensations relate to your thoughts and behaviors. This can provide a deeper understanding of your mental health challenges. Similarly, integrating mindfulness practices into DBT can enhance emotion regulation skills! It can help you become more aware of your emotions and responses in the present moment. By combining these treatments, you can have a unique treatment plan to address your needs.

Start Somatic Therapy or Mindfulness in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and throughout Michigan!

Are you ready to start your journey in somatic therapy online or mindfulness? Here at Embodied Wellness, PLCC, our trained therapists can help you with either! Take the courageous step towards feeling better. To begin somatic therapy or mindfulness therapy follow the steps below:

1. Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation.

2. Speak with a compassionate somatic/mindfulness therapist!

3. Become more embodied!

Other Therapy Services Offered at Embodied Wellness in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and throughout Michigan

Our dedicated and compassionate therapists offer more than just somatic therapy online and mindfulness therapy. Our other services include Empath therapy and Online Therapy. Our specialties include OCD treatment and ERP therapy, Trauma therapy and PTSD treatment, DBT, depression treatment, and Internal Family Systems. All these online therapy services are available for teenagers and adolescents as well as adults. Nosotros tambien ofrecemos terapia en español en Detroit y otras partes de Michigan. Get in touch with our Detroit-based practice today and start on the journey to a brighter future!

About the Author:

Sarah Rollins, LMSW, SEP is the founder of Embodied Wellness, PLLC, a group therapy practice providing online therapy in Michigan. She is passionate about expanding awareness of somatic therapy as a way to treat and heal trauma. She incorporates other holistic treatments into her practice including EMDR, IFS, and attachment theory.