Somatic is one of those buzz words that’s being used a lot these days. Search the word on Amazon and over 1,000 hits come up. Topics range from Somatic Psychotherapy and Equine Somatics to Somatic Dancing and Tantra. But what does it mean, and why is it being used in counseling spaces?
Somatic means bringing awareness to and accessing the body’s innate wisdom. Linguistically, “soma” is a Greek word meaning “living body.” Somatic psychotherapy involves bringing the living body into the process of healing and integrating. This can be especially helpful for clients healing from trauma experiences.
If you are someone who has experienced trauma, perhaps you are aware of the way that pain manifests in physical symptoms.Common examples are stomach pain, chronic health conditions, digestive issues, pain or discomfort with sex, and consistent patterns of pain in the body. Maybe you’ve tried treating the symptoms, with little result. Perhaps you’ve even tried to explain your sensations and have been dismissed because there is no clear cause or proof.
We know through neuroscience the impact of trauma on the body, how the mind influences the body and vice versa. There is more and more awareness that these symptoms are indeed valid. More importantly, we have ways to support people healing through trauma that effectively help decrease the pain and increase a sense of wellbeing in the body.Somatic therapy is an amazing healing modality.