Somatic Therapy
in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Throughout Michigan
“The felt sense is a medium through which we experience the fullness of sensations and knowledge of ourselves.”
-Peter Levine
You Want More Than Talk Therapy
You have been to have a talk therapist, but you feel it hasn’t been enough. It feels like there is a smoke alarm going off in your body. The alarm screams “DANGER!” and you can’t help but fight, flight, or freeze. You look around and realize there is no threat but your heart won’t stop racing and your palms continue to sweat. It feels unsafe to be in your body. You’ve heard people talk about “befriending your body,” but it feels like the enemy. Your past trauma led you to disconnect from your body for a good reason. The flashbacks, memories, and nightmares you experience come without your permission. You can be triggered by touch, smell, taste, sight, or sound. You try to numb yourself so the memories won’t pop up and ruin the rest of your day. Somatic therapy is a type of PTSD treatment that aims to help you heal trauma stored in the body.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a holistic, mind-body approach to healing trauma, stress, and anxiety. It can help you learn how to release trauma and stress from your body. As somatic therapists in Michigan, we know you are more than a “floating” head. We believe that your body should be an important part of the treatment process. In somatic therapy, you will pay attention to how trauma affects your thoughts, feelings, actions, and body. You can heal from PTSD without having to talk about the specific traumas if it's too difficult for you. Studies have shown that somatic counseling is a proven way to treat trauma and PTSD. Learn more about the basics of Somatic therapy here.
Is Somatic Therapy only for Trauma?
Somatic therapy is often used to help treat trauma and PTSD, but it can also help with other conditions. It focuses on how your mind and body are connected and how your physical sensations and experiences relate to your emotions and thoughts. This type of therapy can help you grow personally, feel better emotionally, and improve your health and well-being in general. You will learn techniques on how to pay attention to your body, breathing exercises, and mindfulness. Somatic therapy can be helpful for many conditions, such as:
Stress
Grief/Loss
Body image or self-esteem concerns
Could Somatic Therapy Be a Good Fit for You?
We understand that choosing the right therapy can feel overwhelming, and it’s natural to have questions about how somatic therapy works. We’re here to provide the clarity and information you need to feel confident in taking the next step!
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In the first few sessions, you’ll be in the assessment phase. During this time, you and your therapist will focus on getting to know each other, building trust, and setting goals for your therapy. These early sessions may feel similar to other types of therapy. Once you transition to the treatment phase, you’ll notice the unique aspects of somatic therapy! Sessions will begin to focus more on your body, inviting you to notice sensations like tightness in your shoulders or butterflies in your stomach. Your therapist may guide you through gentle movements, breathing exercises, or visualizations to help you connect with your body. Together, you’ll explore how your emotions and physical sensations are linked, all at a pace that feels safe and comfortable for you.
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Some forms of somatic therapy involve touch, such as guiding posture or demonstrating grounding techniques, but at Embodied Wellness, we do not use touch in our sessions. Instead, we focus on helping you connect with your body through other methods, like breathing exercises, gentle movements, and awareness of physical sensations. This approach ensures that you feel safe and supported throughout your healing journey.
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Expect a calm and supportive environment where you’re encouraged to notice how your body responds to emotions or stress. You’ll work with your therapist to release tension, process difficult feelings, and build tools for handling life’s challenges. Sessions might feel different from traditional talk therapy because they include more focus on your body and physical sensations.
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Somatic therapy can help anyone, but it’s especially helpful for people dealing with trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, or depression. If you’ve felt stuck or disconnected, somatic therapy can help you reconnect with your body and emotions. It’s also a great choice for people who want to include the body in their healing journey.
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The main goal of somatic therapy is to help you feel more connected to your body, release stress or trauma stored in your body, regulate your nervous system and build a stronger sense of safety and well-being. It’s about helping you heal not just in your mind but throughout your whole self.
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Every person’s healing journey is unique, so the time it takes to see results can vary. Some people notice improvements after just a few sessions, while others, especially those with complex trauma, may benefit from six months to a year of consistent therapy. We’ve found that clients who attend weekly sessions often experience the most effective and lasting results. Your therapist will collaborate with you to determine a pace that feels supportive and aligns with your individual goals.
Our Somatic Therapists in Detroit and Ann Arbor Can Help
Somatic therapists in our office are experts in body-centered approaches and know how the mind and body work together. We can help you reconnect with your body, let go of stored trauma or tension, and learn better ways to handle life. We aim to provide a safe and compassionate space where you can explore your emotions, sensations, and beliefs. Our somatic therapists help you increase your self-awareness and create positive changes in your life. No matter your goal, our therapists are here to support you on your path toward healing.
Embodied Wellness, PLLC’s Approach to Somatic Therapy
At Embodied Wellness, PLLC we believe that our bodies go through every experience with us and need a space to heal as our minds do. In traditional talk therapy like CBT, we focus on three elements -thoughts, feelings, and behaviors- in treatment. Thoughts are the ideas, opinions, and beliefs that we have about ourselves and the world around us. Feelings are our emotional experiences such as happiness, sadness, guilt, shame, and excitement. Behaviors are the physical responses and actions we take. The main goal of talk therapy is to understand how our thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. The aim is to either change our thoughts or behaviors to feel better or change our moods and thoughts to alter how we behave. Somatic therapy goes beyond talk therapy. Somatic work integrates thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while adding body sensations and imagery. Together with your therapist, you will explore how trauma and self-protection responses such as fight, flight, and freeze can be released from the body. You no longer need to feel held back by your trauma.
Start Somatic Therapy in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Throughout Michigan
Step 1: Free Consultation
Click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation! You will speak with the clinical director who will learn more about you, answer any questions you have, and match you with a therapist who we think will be a great fit!
Step 2: Begin Therapy
After the consultation, we will schedule your first appointment. Then you will sign up for a free online portal, complete the required documents, and log on to meet your therapist!
Step 3: Start Feeling Better
Together with your therapist, you will come up with a treatment plan to meet your needs. This includes how often you will see your therapist, what your goals are, and the best types of therapy that will help you start feeling better.
Due to Michigan state licensing requirements, all patients must reside in Michigan at the time of service to participate in our online therapy services in Michigan.
We only offer online therapy and do not have in-person options.
We are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Care Network, Aetna plans. Otherwise, we are an out-of-network provider and can provide superbills for reimbursement from your insurance. Our private pay fees start at 170+ depending on the therapist.
Somatic Therapists in Michigan
Somatic Therapy Blogs:
Lessons from a Somatic Therapist: How to “Sit” with your Feelings
A Somatic Therapist’s Perspective on Nervous System Regulation
Are you interested in reading more blogs? Check out our mental health blog for the most recently updated blog posts!
Other Therapy Services Offered in Michigan
Our caring and understanding therapists offer various services and specialties outside of Somatic therapy. This includes depression treatment, trauma therapy and PTSD treatment, DBT therapy, and Empath therapy. Besides the methods mentioned above, we also use EMDR therapy and Internal Family Systems. All of these online therapy services are available for both teenagers and adults. Take your first step to a better tomorrow and visit our Detroit-based practice today!