If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from your body after a traumatic experience or long-term stress, you’re not alone. Somatic therapy offers a way to reconnect with your body and regulate your nervous system using more than just words.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach to psychotherapy that integrates awareness of bodily sensations, breath, posture, movement, and nervous system responses into the therapeutic process. The premise is simple but powerful: the body stores unprocessed emotions and trauma. Healing must involve the body—not just the mind.
This modality draws from a variety of practices, including Polyvagal Theory, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Dance/Movement Therapy. Therapists use techniques such as grounding, body tracking, movement, and guided breathing to help clients notice and release chronic tension, emotional blocks, or dissociation.
Why the Body Matters in Healing
When we experience stress or trauma, our body often reacts by activating a survival response: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. These responses are automatic and can become chronic, leaving us feeling anxious, disconnected, or hypervigilant.
According to research by Bessel van der Kolk, MD, author of The Body Keeps the Score, trauma is not just remembered cognitively—it is held somatically. This is why talk therapy alone may not resolve the lingering symptoms of trauma. Somatic therapy helps release that stuck energy and restores regulation to the nervous system.
What Does a Somatic Therapy Session Look Like?
Each session is unique and responsive to the client’s needs. Somatic therapy at our practice is still psychotherapy; We will talk and utilize various techniques. The somatic element of the session may include:
Grounding exercises to bring awareness to the present moment
Tracking internal sensations with curiosity and compassion
Mindful movement or stretching
Breathwork to regulate physiological arousal
Gentle touch or gesture work (when appropriate and agreed upon)
Creative expression through drawing, sound, or dance
Who Benefits from Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is effective for a range of mental health concerns, including:
PTSD and trauma
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Anxiety and panic attacks
Chronic stress and burnout
Depression and mood disorders
Chronic pain and illness
Attachment wounds and relational issues
Dissociation or numbness
It can also be a powerful modality for individuals who have tried talk therapy but still feel stuck or disconnected.
Evidence Supporting Somatic Therapy
Clinical studies have shown that somatic-based interventions lead to reduced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that somatic experiencing significantly reduced post-traumatic symptoms and improved well-being. Trauma-healing includes nervous system regulation, reduces anxiety in the body and mind, and helps one find a sense of felt safety and empowerment.
Dance/Movement Therapy—one of the foundational practices of our team—has been linked to improved emotion regulation and lowered cortisol levels. The body-based approach offers an integrative path to healing that complements both traditional and alternative therapies.
Why We Offer Somatic Therapy at Balanced Life Movement
At Balanced Life Movement, our therapists are all Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapists—the highest credentialing in this field. This certification reflects years of post-master’s training, supervised clinical work, and rigorous professional standards. We bring this advanced level of expertise to every session we offer.
Our therapists are trained in evidence-based somatic practices that center safety, attunement, and embodiment. We believe healing happens when your body and mind are in conversation—not when one is ignored.
Our approach integrates somatic therapy with creative arts, trauma-informed care, and holistic techniques that help clients feel seen, supported, and empowered in their healing journey.
Curious About Somatic Therapy?
We’re here to offer information, not pressure. Whether you’re just learning about this work or are ready to explore it firsthand, you’re welcome to reach out or read more about our approach. The body holds deep wisdom. We’re here to help you listen.
🔗 Learn more at: www.balancedlifemovement.com
📩 Contact us with questions or to connect with a therapist who is the right fit for you.
Schedule a phone consultation to discuss to your needs.