When people think of healing from trauma, they often imagine traditional talk therapies—processing painful events through conversation. While these approaches can be powerful, they don’t always address how trauma is stored in the body. Survivors of traumatic experiences often notice that even when they understand their story intellectually, they still carry lingering physical symptoms like tension, headaches, or chronic fatigue.
This is where somatic therapy comes in. By recognizing the deep connection between the mind and body, somatic therapy helps individuals work through trauma in ways that words alone cannot.
At GROW Counseling, we support clients across Atlanta, Alpharetta, and Peachtree City who are navigating the impact of traumatic events and seeking healing. Here’s what you need to know about this therapeutic approach and how it can help with trauma recovery.
Understanding Trauma and the Body
When someone experiences trauma, the body often reacts as if the danger is ongoing, even after the threat has passed. This can activate the nervous system, keeping people stuck in cycles of hypervigilance, fear, or shutdown.
Common trauma-related challenges include:
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks
- Heightened startle responses
- Difficulty sleeping or relaxing
- Chronic pain or other physical symptoms
- Emotional numbing or disconnection
These symptoms are often part of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other traumatic stress disorders. They highlight how trauma isn’t just an emotional wound, it’s both physical and emotional, rooted in the entire system of the body and brain.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-centered therapeutic approach designed to help people process trauma by focusing on physical sensations, body awareness, and the nervous system’s responses. Instead of relying only on discussion, somatic therapy uses techniques that help clients notice how their body holds onto past pain and gently release it.
Key elements often include:
- Building body awareness to notice tension, posture, or patterns of holding stress.
- Developing a sense of safety in the present moment.
- Using breathwork, gentle movement, or guided imagery to regulate the nervous system.
- Tracking physical sensations to recognize where trauma may still be stored in the body.
The goal is to increase tolerance for difficult emotions and body sensations without becoming overwhelmed, so healing can happen more gradually and sustainably.
How Somatic Therapy Differs From Talk Therapy
While talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy focus on exploring thoughts and beliefs, somatic therapy emphasizes the wisdom of the body. This doesn’t mean you don’t talk in somatic sessions—it means that talking is paired with physical awareness and practices.
For example, a somatic therapist might invite a client to notice what happens in their body when they recall a difficult memory. Instead of diving deep into the story, the therapist helps the client pay attention to physical and emotional signals—like tightness in the chest, shallow breathing, or a racing heart—and use grounding strategies to bring balance back to the system.
This integration of mind and body can reduce the intensity of trauma responses and help clients feel more in control.
Techniques Used in Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy includes a wide range of practices, often tailored to the individual. Some commonly used methods are:
- Grounding and Breathwork: Encouraging clients to notice their body in space and use breath to restore calm.
- Movement and Touch: Simple movements or, when appropriate, therapeutic touch to release stored tension.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Though sometimes considered distinct, EMDR overlaps with somatic practices by helping reprocess trauma while tracking eye movements and body responses.
- Mindfulness Practices: Encouraging presence, curiosity, and non-judgment toward internal states.
These techniques all work toward creating a sense of safety, reducing reactivity, and expanding the capacity to manage emotional experiences.
Benefits of Somatic Therapy
Research and client experiences suggest that somatic therapy can:
- Reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other traumatic stress disorders.
- Alleviate physical symptoms like tension, headaches, and chronic pain related to trauma.
- Improve emotional regulation and decrease hypervigilance.
- Strengthen the connection between mind and body, fostering greater self-awareness.
- Support increasing tolerance for stress and discomfort without shutting down.
- Create lasting improvements in both mental health and physical well-being.
By addressing both physical and emotional aspects of trauma, somatic therapy helps clients move beyond survival mode and toward true healing.
Who Can Benefit From Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy may be helpful for:
- Individuals recovering from traumatic events, including accidents, abuse, or natural disasters.
- Those living with PTSD or related conditions.
- People experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, or depression that is linked to body tension.
- Anyone who feels “stuck” in therapy that focuses only on thoughts without addressing body experiences.
It’s also useful for clients who struggle to feel connected to their emotions or who find themselves cut off from their own bodily signals.
When to Seek Professional Support
If you’re noticing that trauma symptoms or physical and emotional reactions are interfering with daily life, it may be time to work with a professional. A trained somatic therapist can provide tools to manage overwhelming responses while creating a supportive space to heal.
At GROW Counseling, our therapists integrate a variety of approaches, including somatic techniques—to support trauma recovery. Whether you’re working through a single event or years of compounded stress, we’ll create a personalized plan to restore your mental health and sense of balance.
Final Thoughts
Trauma doesn’t just live in the mind—it resides in the body. Healing requires an approach that honors both. Somatic therapy provides a pathway to process traumatic experiences, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect with your body’s innate capacity for resilience.
If you’re ready to explore somatic therapy or learn how this approach can help you heal from trauma, contact GROW Counseling. Our therapists in Atlanta, Alpharetta, and Peachtree City are here to support your journey toward recovery, safety, and wholeness.
