Somatic Therapies

As Bessel van der Kolk explains in The Body Keeps the Score, unresolved trauma doesn’t stay only in the mind: it lives in the body, too. Long after the event is over, the body can remain in survival mode, staying tense, guarded, or shut down, reacting to reminders of the past as if the danger is still happening.   This can show up as chronic tension, changes in posture, or persistent muscle bracing, especially in the neck, shoulders, belly, and back.

These aren't just physical sensations — they can carry meaning, too. 

For example, chronic muscular tensions, non-specific anxiety, or a strong startle response can be "implicit memories" of the trauma -- meaning unconscious and incomplete mind/body responses related to the original trauma, that is stored in memory without words.  These memories surface when something reminds us of the original experience, or even during everyday stress. They offer important clues about what needs attention in order to heal.

Somatic therapies such as Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Sensori-Motor Psychotherapy (SP) can help people access their implicit trauma memories. By slowing down and listening to the body, it becomes possible to recognize old survival strategies and relational patterns that are no longer useful. As these patterns unwind, the stored survival energy can release, often bringing a sense of ease and lightness.

When these body-based approaches are combined with Internal Family Systems therapy,  the result can be even more powerful: IFS can bring clarity and compassion to your inner world, while somatic work can release chronic stress held in the body. Together, these therapy methods offer a path to healing that goes deeper than traditional therapy alone, helping you feel more present, grounded, and at home in your body.

           [See "Resources" tab for articles on the effectiveness of SE and SP for PTSD]

For a free 20-minute intro meeting call 415-785-4202, or send a secure message using the button below.

[Please note that my practice is limited to residents of California.]