Somatic Practices

We are One: Body, Mind, and Heart.

There’s a tightness in your chest and tension in your shoulders, and taking a deep breath is hard. There are days when you can’t get motivated or out of bed. Headaches and stomach aches affect your appetite and your ability to stay focused.

Finding the words to describe your feelings seems impossible. These responses are your body’s way of entering the therapy space. Our mind is not the only part of ourselves deserving (and needing) attention and care. The brain and body are inextricably connected, which means the body needs to be part of the therapy experience.

We are the sum of our experiences, but one experience does not define us. Living with our feelings and emotions instead of ignoring and avoiding them allows us to live fully and wholeheartedly.

The ammonite above creates “chambers” throughout its life, growing from each one to create a new piece of itself. This illustration is a great way to look at therapy.

When you don’t have the words, listen to your body.

“Somatic” means “of the body.” The way our body participates in our mental health can look different for everyone, but it’s always there. We’ve all heard about “gut feelings” and “sixth senses.” There is a layer to our subconscious reading the room that differs from our conscious awareness.

From our first therapy session, I’ll inquire about how your body feels, inviting you to notice where you carry tension or stress. We’ll begin each session with a grounding practice. Being “grounded” includes feeling connected to what’s supporting us: the chair, our bed, a pillow, and the floor.

Our brain will try to protect us by avoiding or dissociating away from difficult emotions, memories, or sensations. Grounding is a way to remind yourself that you are present and cared for in this moment. Each grounding practice will be something you can do on your own, outside of therapy.

Reconnect with your body.

In therapy, we may touch on sensitive topics, or an emotion we weren’t expecting can appear. We’ll take these opportunities to reconnect with our body, finding a hand on our heart or a gentle self-hug, which are examples of how somatic practices can benefit you in the moment.

Over time, you’ll learn how to apply these practices in your everyday life, learning what works best for you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health; the same goes for physical health.

Travel from Subconscious to Conscious.

Before I began therapy, I suffered silently inside my body. When I was young, I would be so anxious about a test I felt like I couldn’t eat. I would shake before having a difficult conversation.

Later in life, I learned the power of self-awareness, deep breathing, and resetting my body with movement to manage my stress and anxiety. I still have responses in my body – when my daughter cries, I feel a rush of blood from my heart to my extremities, even though I know she is okay. But I now know how to manage my sensations and emotions helpfully.

Through somatic practices, you can better understand what your body’s sensations are saying to you when words are unavailable.

Don’t wait to feel better in your body and your mind. Schedule your free consultation here.