Trauma doesn’t only affect the mind—it lives in the body. Many people who have experienced traumatic events understand what happened to them but still feel anxious, disconnected, or stuck in patterns they can’t explain. If you’ve been asking what is somatic therapy and how can it help with trauma, you’re not alone.
Somatic therapy offers a body-based approach to healing that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. By working directly with the nervous system and physical sensations, somatic therapy helps the body release stored trauma and regain a sense of safety. At Sutherland Psychotherapy, somatic therapy is used to support clients in healing trauma gently, safely, and at their own pace.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between the body and the mind. The word somatic comes from the Greek word soma, meaning “body.” Rather than focusing only on thoughts, emotions, or memories, somatic therapy helps clients tune into bodily sensations such as tension, breath, movement, and posture.
Trauma can overwhelm the nervous system, causing the body to remain stuck in survival responses like fight, flight, or freeze. Somatic therapy works by helping individuals become aware of these responses and gradually regulate them, allowing the body to return to a state of balance.
This approach is especially helpful for people who feel emotionally flooded, numb, or disconnected, even after years of traditional therapy.
How Trauma Affects the Body
When a person experiences trauma, the body instinctively responds to protect itself. If the traumatic event is overwhelming or unresolved, those protective responses can become stuck in the nervous system.
Over time, trauma stored in the body may show up as:
-
Chronic anxiety or panic
-
Emotional numbness or dissociation
-
Muscle tension or pain
-
Difficulty sleeping
-
Feeling constantly “on edge” or shut down
Somatic therapy for trauma focuses on addressing these physical and nervous system responses, rather than relying solely on cognitive understanding.
How Does Somatic Therapy Help With Trauma?
A common question is how does somatic therapy help with trauma when talking about it hasn’t worked. The answer lies in how trauma is processed.
Somatic therapy helps by:
-
Increasing awareness of physical sensations connected to trauma
-
Teaching the nervous system how to regulate stress responses
-
Releasing stored survival energy from traumatic events
-
Restoring a sense of safety and control in the body
Rather than rehashing painful memories, clients are guided to notice subtle bodily sensations in the present moment. This allows trauma to be processed gradually, without overwhelm or re-traumatization.
Somatic Therapy for Trauma: What Sessions Are Like
Many people feel nervous about starting somatic therapy because they don’t know what to expect. Sessions are typically slower-paced and collaborative, with an emphasis on safety and choice.
Somatic therapy sessions may include:
-
Noticing physical sensations such as tightness, warmth, or breath
-
Gentle grounding and orienting exercises
-
Mindful movement or posture awareness
-
Pausing frequently to check in with the nervous system
You don’t need to relive traumatic events to heal from them. Somatic therapy respects the body’s natural ability to heal when given the right conditions.
Do You Talk During Somatic Therapy?
Yes—but talking plays a different role. A common question is, do you talk during somatic therapy? While verbal communication is part of sessions, it is not the primary focus.
Instead of detailed storytelling, clients may briefly describe what they are noticing in their bodies, such as sensations or emotions that arise. The therapist may ask questions that support awareness rather than analysis.
This approach is especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed by talking or who struggle to put their experiences into words.
Is EMDR the Same as Somatic Therapy?
Another frequently asked question is, is EMDR the same as somatic therapy? While both are effective trauma treatments, they are not the same.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) focuses on reprocessing traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation. Somatic therapy focuses more directly on bodily sensations and nervous system regulation.
That said, EMDR and somatic therapy often complement one another. Many trauma therapists integrate somatic principles into EMDR to help clients stay regulated and grounded during processing.
Virtual Somatic Therapy: Does It Work?
With the growth of telehealth, virtual somatic therapy has become a highly effective option for trauma treatment. Even in online sessions, clients can learn to track sensations, regulate their nervous systems, and practice grounding techniques.
Virtual somatic therapy allows clients to:
-
Receive care from the comfort of their own home
-
Practice skills in their real-life environment
-
Maintain continuity of care when in-person sessions aren’t possible
At Sutherland Psychotherapy, virtual sessions are designed to provide the same level of attunement, safety, and effectiveness as in-person therapy.
Who Can Benefit From Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy can be helpful for individuals experiencing:
-
Trauma or PTSD
-
Complex or developmental trauma
-
Anxiety or panic disorders
-
Chronic stress or burnout
-
Trauma related to medical procedures, accidents, or abuse
You don’t need a specific diagnosis to benefit. If your body feels constantly overwhelmed—or completely shut down—somatic therapy may offer a path toward healingHow Sutherland Psychotherapy Can Help
At Sutherland Psychotherapy, somatic therapy is offered within a compassionate, trauma-informed framework. Therapy is tailored to each client’s unique nervous system, history, and goals.
Clients are supported in:
-
Developing body awareness safely
-
Learning tools to regulate emotions and stress
-
Releasing trauma stored in the body
-
Rebuilding trust in themselves and their bodies
Whether you’re new to therapy or seeking a different approach, somatic therapy offers a gentle and effective way to heal trauma.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what is somatic therapy and how it can help with trauma opens the door to a deeper, more holistic form of healing. Trauma recovery doesn’t require reliving the past—it requires helping the body feel safe in the present.
Somatic therapy offers a path forward by honoring the body’s wisdom and capacity to heal. If you’re ready to explore somatic therapy for trauma, Sutherland Psychotherapy is here to support you—both in person and through virtual somatic therapy.
