Body-centered or somatic psychotherapy is a holistic form of therapy that is rooted in the understanding that the body and mind are interconnected. While traditional therapy focuses mostly on the mental and emotional aspects of a client’s experience, somatic psychotherapy focuses on the relationship between the body and mind, and sees the body as a central part of the therapeutic process.
From a somatic perspective, our bodies are like our autobiography. They record all of our life experiences—we hold them in our cells, bones, muscles, tissues, and nervous system. However, since Western culture places an inordinate emphasis on the mind, we’ve been conditioned to live mostly in our heads and to ignore the entire world that exists within our bodies. This way of living disconnects us from the innate wisdom and creativity within our bodies and often leads to physical and emotional imbalances.
It is helpful to cultivate body awareness because the body possesses knowledge that is often inaccessible to the thinking mind. In other words, the body communicates information—through feelings, sensations, posture, etc.—from the parts of us that cannot be easily accessed by the intellect. Body awareness is especially beneficial because the more we are able to connect with all the parts of ourselves, the more we are able to more forward on the path of healing and reclaiming our wholeness.
In my practice, I draw from my knowledge and training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, as well as in other somatic practices, to help bring awareness into the body through the therapeutic process.
A variety of body-centered techniques can be utilized depending on the specific needs of each client, such as breathing exercises, movement practices, and mindfulness exercises that involve noticing what is happening in the body and being curious about what messages are being communicated. Clients are invited to gently create space for the sensations and feelings that are present, which helps to integrate and reconnect the mind with the body, and supports whole-self healing.
with Erin Stohl, LMSW