Mindfulness Based Somatic Therapy
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic psychotherapy is a unique type of therapy that focuses on integrating one’s mind and body to facilitate emotional healing. The word somatic comes from the latin root ‘soma’, meaning body. This type of therapy focuses on learning about your emotional responses by bringing mindful awareness to sensations you feel in your body. For example, we often know we are feeling anxious because of the signals we are receiving from our bodies. Our heart rate may start to increase or palms may begin to sweat. These are very real physical sensations that are connected to an emotional experience. By bringing neutral, compassionate awareness to physical sensations and symptoms we can begin to reconstruct our relationship with the uncomfortable sensations.
This type of therapy is rooted in the theory that past experiences of trauma or intense distress disrupt the functioning of the autonomic nervous system- the system that controls our threat responses (fight, flight, freeze, collapse). This type of disruption can have long term effects on our bodies and can manifest through panic attacks, physical pain, digestive issues, sexual dysfunction, and hormonal imbalances.
In a moment of anxiety, we are responding to a perceived threat, and we often mistakenly label the feeling of anxiety as a threat in and of it self. But anxiety is not a threat, it is simply a signal. When we experience a traumatic or highly stressful event, our nervous systems can become “stuck” in a fight, flight, freeze, or collapse state, which can cause intense distress and lower ability to function day to day. Somatic therapy allows us to rebuild a sense of safety in our bodies, and helps to guide us in understanding that our bodies reactions and signals (although difficult at times) are adaptive and have played a role in trying to keep us safe. These symptoms do not need to be permanent. With somatic therapy, you can learn to trust your body and your mind.
How Somatic Psychotherapy Can Benefit Highly Sensitive People
As a highly sensitive person, you experience the world more intensely. Your emotions are deep, your senses are finely tuned, and you can often feel overwhelmed by the energy and needs of others. It's a gift, but it can also feel like a heavy burden, leaving you drained or stuck in patterns of overthinking, anxiety, or emotional reactivity.
Somatic psychotherapy can be incredibly helpful for you. It is a body-focused approach that integrates the mind, body, and emotions. Instead of only talking through your thoughts and feelings, this method encourages you to connect with your body’s sensations and experiences. Here’s how it works for you:
Release Emotional Overload
As someone who feels things deeply, you may find that your emotions can sometimes become overwhelming or hard to manage. Somatic therapy helps you tune into your body, where these emotions often get “stuck.” By learning to recognize physical sensations—like tightness, heat, or tension—you can begin to release the emotional charge attached to them. This makes it easier for you to process and release overwhelming feelings, rather than getting caught in a cycle of stress or anxiety.
Build Resilience to Sensory Overload
Highly sensitive people often experience sensory overload—whether it’s loud noises, busy environments, or too much stimulation from other people’s emotions. Somatic psychotherapy teaches you grounding techniques that help you reconnect with your body and find a sense of calm. Through breathing exercises, body awareness, and mindfulness, you can better navigate overwhelming situations and restore your energy more quickly.
Reconnect with Your Body's Wisdom
You may not always be aware of how much your body is trying to tell you. Somatic psychotherapy helps you develop a deeper connection to your physical sensations. This can help you understand when you’re pushing yourself too hard, when you need rest, or when you’re out of alignment with your true needs. By tuning into these cues, you can make more empowered decisions about how to care for yourself.
Heal Past Traumas
Many highly sensitive people have experienced emotional or physical trauma, often without fully recognizing its impact. Somatic therapy can support you in healing these old wounds by addressing the body’s stored memories and helping you release trauma’s hold on your physical and emotional health. This process can lead to a profound sense of relief and freedom, allowing you to move through life with greater ease and peace.
Create More Emotional Balance
By integrating your body’s sensations with your emotions, somatic psychotherapy helps you cultivate a sense of balance. Instead of getting swept away by your feelings, you’ll gain tools to pause, check in with yourself, and respond in a grounded way. Over time, this creates more emotional stability, helping you feel more centered, calm, and in control of your reactions.
Foster Self-Compassion and Boundaries
As a highly sensitive person, you may have a tendency to be hard on yourself or take on too much. Somatic psychotherapy encourages a nurturing relationship with your body, promoting self-compassion and respect. It also helps you strengthen your sense of boundaries—teaching you how to say "no" when needed and preserve your energy in a way that supports your well-being.
By incorporating somatic techniques into your therapy, you can begin to feel more in tune with yourself, reduce emotional overwhelm, and build a deeper sense of peace. It’s a gentle, effective way for you to honor your sensitivity, nurture your resilience, and embrace your emotional depth without being consumed by it.
If this resonates with you, I’d love to help you explore how somatic psychotherapy can support your journey toward healing and balance.
Please reach out if you have any questions about somatic therapy and to find out if somatic therapy is right for you!