When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough: Exploring Somatic Therapy
Have you ever felt like talk therapy just isn’t working for you anymore? Maybe you’ve been showing up, doing the work, unpacking your past, but still feel stuck in the same patterns, emotions, or reactions. You’re not alone—and this is where somatic therapy can be a game-changer.
Why Talk Therapy Sometimes Hits a Wall
Talk therapy is an incredible tool for gaining insight, exploring emotions, and building awareness. But what happens when insight isn’t enough? Trauma, stress, and emotions aren’t just stored in your mind—they’re also stored in your body. This means that talking alone might not address the deeper, physical imprints of your experiences.
For example, you might intellectually know you’re safe, but your body still feels on edge. Or you’ve worked through the “why” of your anxiety, but your chest still tightens at random. These are signs that your body may be holding onto something your mind alone can’t fully release.
Physical pain or tension—like chronic headaches, backaches, stomach issues, or even fatigue—can be ways your body responds to emotional pain or unresolved trauma. It’s your body’s way of signaling that there’s something deeper needing attention. Ignoring these signals often leads to a cycle of physical discomfort and emotional distress that talk therapy alone might not resolve.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy (from the Greek word soma, meaning “body”) is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between your mind and body. It acknowledges that the body holds onto stress, trauma, and emotions, and it uses techniques to help release that tension and create a sense of safety and calm.
In somatic therapy, we don’t just talk about what’s happening; we tune into how it’s showing up in your body. This might involve noticing sensations, practicing grounding exercises, or using gentle movements to process emotions.
Why Somatic Therapy Works
Our nervous system is often the gatekeeper of trauma and stress. Somatic therapy helps regulate the nervous system by:
Releasing stored trauma in the body
Building safety and connection within yourself
Teaching you to recognize and respond to physical cues from your body
Helping you integrate past experiences in a way that feels complete
Think of it like this: talk therapy helps you process the mental file cabinets of your life, while somatic therapy helps clear out what’s been sitting in the body’s “storage closet.”
What to Expect in a Somatic Therapy Session
Somatic therapy sessions are a blend of talking, noticing, and doing. You might start by exploring a topic verbally but then shift into body-focused work. This could include:
Tuning into where you feel tension or energy in your body
Learning to breathe in ways that calm your nervous system
Using simple, guided movements to release stored emotions
Practicing grounding techniques to bring you back to the present moment
The goal is to help you feel safe and supported as you reconnect with your body, process emotions, and create new patterns of responding to life’s challenges.
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is especially helpful for people who:
Feel stuck in therapy or life despite making progress
Experience chronic physical pain or tension without a clear medical cause
Have experienced trauma or chronic stress
Struggle with anxiety, depression, or PTSD
Want to feel more connected to themselves and others
Why I Incorporate Somatic Therapy into My Practice
I work with people who feel like they’re carrying the weight of their past in their bodies—whether that’s from childhood trauma, intergenerational patterns, or the stress of navigating life’s challenges. By integrating somatic therapy, I help them not only understand their experiences but also release them on a deeper level.
For a deeper dive into how the body holds onto trauma, I recommend The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re curious about somatic therapy, I encourage you to explore it. Whether you’ve hit a plateau in talk therapy or are simply looking for a new way to heal, somatic therapy offers a powerful path forward.
You can also start by noticing patterns in your body when you feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. Ask yourself:
Where do I feel tension? (Shoulders, jaw, stomach?)
Do certain emotions come with physical sensations? (Butterflies in the stomach, tight chest?)
What happens when I slow down and focus on my breath?
This awareness is the foundation of somatic therapy—it helps you recognize how your body responds to stress and what it needs to feel safe.
Another exercise you can try is Shaking it Out: Stand up and gently shake your arms, legs, and body to release stored energy (animals do this after stress!).
Let’s Work Together
If this resonates with you, let’s explore how somatic therapy can support your healing. I’d love to help you reconnect with your body in a way that feels safe and empowering. Book a consultation with me, and let’s take the next step toward your healing journey together.
