Find a Somatization Therapist

Understanding somatisation and how it can affect you

Somatisation is a term used to describe persistent or recurrent physical symptoms that are distressing but are not fully explained by an identified medical condition. These symptoms are very real to the person experiencing them and can include pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbance, dizziness and other bodily sensations. For many people, symptoms may fluctuate with stress, mood or life events, and they can have a major impact on daily functioning, work and relationships.

It is important to recognise that somatisation describes the interaction between bodily symptoms and psychological factors rather than implying that symptoms are imagined. You may notice that physical discomfort and emotional strain feed into one another - worry about symptoms makes you feel tenser, and that tension can in turn amplify sensations. Therapy aims to help you understand these connections and develop ways to reduce distress and improve quality of life.

Signs you might benefit from therapy for somatisation

You might consider looking for a somatisation specialist if you find yourself repeatedly seeking tests or treatments without lasting relief, or if medical investigations do not fully explain ongoing symptoms. If physical sensations are causing high levels of anxiety, limiting your daily activities, disrupting sleep or leading to avoidance of situations, therapy can help you regain a measure of control. Other indicators that therapy may help include frequent health-related worries, changing symptom patterns linked with stress, and difficulties in coping that affect work, relationships or mood.

If you are feeling misunderstood by health services or if symptoms are tightly connected to stressors such as bereavement, trauma or long-term caring responsibilities, a therapist can offer a space to explore those links and to try strategies that ease symptom burden and improve overall wellbeing.

What to expect in therapy sessions focused on somatisation

Initial assessment and collaborative formulation

Early sessions typically involve a thorough assessment of your symptoms, medical history and the ways these symptoms affect your life. A therapist will work with you to create a shared formulation - a practical explanation tailored to your experience that links symptoms, thoughts, emotions and behaviour. This is not a diagnosis but a map to guide treatment.

Skills, pacing and symptom management

Therapy often focuses on building practical skills to reduce distress and improve function. You can expect to learn techniques for managing physical sensations, pacing activities to avoid boom-and-bust patterns, improving sleep and reducing the impact of worry. Sessions will usually involve a mix of discussion, experiential exercises and homework tasks so you can practise strategies between appointments.

Working with other health professionals

A somatisation-focused therapist will often work alongside your GP, specialist clinicians or physiotherapists where appropriate and with your consent. This integrated approach helps ensure that any medical investigations or treatments continue alongside psychological support. Good therapists will communicate clearly about goals and boundaries and will encourage you to keep medical follow-up as needed.

Common therapeutic approaches used for somatisation

Cognitive behavioural therapy is one of the most commonly offered approaches for somatisation. CBT helps you identify and test unhelpful thoughts about symptoms, develop new patterns of behaviour and learn practical techniques for symptom management. Acceptance and commitment therapy can also be useful - it helps you clarify what matters to you and take actions that support those values even when symptoms continue.

Mindfulness-based approaches and body-awareness practices are widely used to help you relate differently to physical sensations. These approaches aim to reduce the intensity of automatic reactions and to increase tolerance for uncomfortable feelings. For people whose symptoms are linked with past trauma, trauma-informed psychotherapy can offer a gentle way to address underlying emotional pain while managing physical symptoms.

In some cases therapists work in a multidisciplinary way with physiotherapists or occupational therapists to address movement, posture and activity patterns alongside psychological work. This combined focus recognises that bodily symptoms often have both physical and psychological elements and that progress commonly comes from addressing both.

How online therapy works for somatisation

Online therapy for somatisation typically takes place through video calls, telephone sessions or text-based exchanges, depending on the practitioner. The initial appointment is much like an in-person assessment - you and the therapist discuss your history, current difficulties and goals for therapy. Many people find online sessions convenient because they can attend from their own home or another comfortable environment without the need to travel.

When choosing online therapy, it helps to prepare a quiet, comfortable space where you can speak without interruption. Therapists will agree with you how to handle any high distress during a session and will ask for emergency contact information so that a clear plan is in place. You can expect to do practical exercises within sessions and to be given tasks to try between appointments, just as you would in face-to-face work.

Online treatment can suit those who have mobility issues, chronic fatigue or pain that make travel difficult, and it also allows access to clinicians with specific somatisation experience who may not be local. If at any point you need face-to-face input - for example to work with a movement specialist - a good therapist will help you find appropriate local services.

Choosing the right therapist for somatisation

Start by looking for practitioners who state experience or specialist training in somatisation, persistent physical symptoms or health-related anxiety. In the UK many counsellors and therapists are registered with bodies such as BACP, HCPC or NCPS; registration indicates recognised training and adherence to professional standards. When you contact a therapist, ask about their approach, experience working with symptoms similar to yours and whether they have experience collaborating with medical teams.

Consider practical factors such as session length, frequency, fees and whether the therapist offers online or face-to-face appointments. It is reasonable to ask how progress will be measured and what a typical course of therapy might involve. During an initial call or appointment pay attention to whether you feel heard and whether the therapist explains things in a way that resonates with you - a good therapeutic fit matters for outcomes.

Be prepared to take an active role in therapy. Many approaches require practice outside sessions and a willingness to try new ways of responding to sensations. If you find an approach does not suit you, discuss alternatives - there are multiple evidence-informed ways to work with somatisation and a skilled therapist will adapt methods to your needs.

Finding support and next steps

Seeking help for somatisation is a positive step towards regaining control over daily life. Whether you choose online or in-person therapy, a thoughtful assessment and a collaborative plan can reduce the hold that symptoms have over your activities and mood. When contacting therapists, enquire about their registration, experience and therapeutic approach. Book an initial appointment to see how you feel in session and to develop a practical plan that fits your circumstances.

Remember that improvement often comes gradually. Therapy aims to give you tools to manage symptoms, to reduce unhelpful cycles of worry and avoidance, and to restore a fuller, more active life. You do not have to navigate persistent physical symptoms on your own - professional support can help you find different ways of living well despite ongoing bodily sensations.