Somatic Psychotherapy
Our bodies are sounding boards for our life experiences. There are embodied ways to notice how you are processing a wide array of emotions through noticing body sensations. When I feel anger my body temperature might elevate, I might notice heat in different regions of the body sometimes it lingers in my face or the sensation of a knot in my chest. Positive emotions can also be experienced somatically, experiencing laughter and delight or feelings of joy and aliveness throughout are a bodily experience where your brain chemistry is altered. Interactions with yourself and with others leaves an energetic residue. The body plays a unique role in our healing journey. It can inform us of emotional states of being, cue us into feelings of wellness or distinct perceptions of threatened danger. My body is both my home and my long term advocate. The body is more capable of being storyteller than one might think, even to the cellular level our somatic terrain holds sacred truth.
Narrative work can be beautifully rich but it is also important to work through things at a kind pace, one that is not re-traumatizing in nature. I believe traumatic scenarios and stressors have the propensity impede one’s sense of safety, which in turn can influence how a person inhabits their own body. There are both physiological and psychological influences after a person has endured trauma (tT). By paying attention to one’s story and beginning the process of naming harm done we can collaboratively create language to felt experiences and core beliefs that are stored bodily. This is where I believe breath and movement modalities can be like healing balm, when integrated with care and intention.
As a clinician part of my work therapeutically is to notice when someone has shifted into a dissociative state while they’re retelling certain life events and invite them towards more embodied awareness in the given moment. Being present is difficult when there has been a great deal of suffering endured. Dissociative states are primarily an involuntary mechanism, an evolved survival strategy that keeps one safe when experiencing high levels of stress. Resilience is a prerequisite to staying engaged in the work of inviting vitality back home to your body after harm has been suffered.
While all trauma is heartbreaking some experiences are more complex to work through than others. By saying this in no way do I wish to diminish or dramatize harm done, but I do think it is important to recognize that there are different types of endured stress and psychological impact. Trauma has a way of disembodying a person from their felt experience of trusted and reassurance within the container of their body. Sexual violation in particular has a specific way of putting one at odds with their own body. If one is to progressively reclaim a sense of autonomy and embodiment when sifting through the after throws of traumatic events it is a war worth engaging. There is an insidious nature to this form of violation, different to that of mending from a painful breakup or recovering from a natural disaster. These feelings of loss are all extremely valid, but tending to the wreckage and aftermath will carry a different kind of support specific to the needs being presented.
I have never worked with an abuse survivor who didn’t also battle with inner accusation or self-blame. If there is repeated harm done through abuse or violation (complex trauma) you will engage your body differently. Questions like, “Am I worthy of love and belonging?” or “Is it my fault that this terrible thing happened to me?” can all be at the forefront of how one navigates towards kindness or further punishment. The stories we tell ourselves along the way matter. How you engage your body after you’ve been through something tragic can have a pivotal function towards longterm and sustained recovery.
One thing I really enjoy is inviting my clients towards somatic expressions of care to help them explore being present with their bodies. Whether that is listening to hunger cues and eating a delicious meal or noticing when you are holding your breath and moving towards a few mindful inhales and exhales, it is all about reconnecting and being reminded that you are safe and you belong. You are your greatest advocate, I invite you to simply start by having a conversation with your body. Checking in as if you were speaking with an old friend who knows you well. That might look different dependent on the day. I invite you to befriend your body through nourishment, rest and care. It is your greatest ally and storyteller. What would it say if you listened in? Pay attention to those subtle nudges that are truly your greatest teacher and with that intention move in a direction of awe and gratitude. Love truly is our greatest healer.