Find a Somatic Therapy Therapist

What Somatic Therapy Is and the Principles Behind It

Somatic Therapy is an umbrella term for approaches that place the body at the centre of psychological healing. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, this approach views bodily sensation, movement and breath as integral to emotional processing and wellbeing. The idea is that experiences - including stress and trauma - are held not only in thought and memory but also in the patterns of the nervous system and the way you inhabit your body. Somatic practitioners draw on principles from psychology, bodywork and nervous system science to help you notice and work with those patterns.

At its core, somatic work emphasises awareness. You are invited to bring attention to posture, muscular tension, breathing rhythms and subtle sensations. That attention can reveal how emotions show up physically and how habitual patterns of posture or movement relate to feeling states. Another key principle is regulation - learning how to shift nervous system activation so you can engage with difficult material without becoming overwhelmed. The aim is not simply to change behaviour in a mechanistic way but to cultivate a felt sense of safety and choice in how you respond to stressors.

What Issues Somatic Therapy Is Commonly Used For

Somatic Therapy is often sought by people seeking support for trauma-related difficulties. When experiences have been overwhelming, the body can retain a sense of threat long after the event has passed. Somatic approaches can help you gently discharge held activation and build capacity for regulation. Many people also use somatic work to address chronic anxiety, panic, and persistent stress. Because these conditions frequently involve bodily symptoms such as shallow breathing, tension, or a racing heart, working with the body can offer practical routes to relief.

Beyond trauma and anxiety, somatic methods are used by people managing long-term pain, digestive upsets related to stress, difficulties with sleep, and patterns of emotional numbness or dissociation. It can also support relationship work by helping you become more aware of how your body responds in interactions - for instance, tightening or withdrawing when you feel criticised. Somatic Therapy is not a single, fixed treatment; practitioners may integrate breath work, movement, touch where appropriate, and talk-based exploration to suit your needs.

What a Typical Somatic Therapy Session Looks Like

If you are new to somatic work, a session may feel unlike a standard talking therapy at first. Many practitioners will begin by orienting you to the room and inviting you to notice how you are sitting or standing. The pace tends to be slower, with an emphasis on present-moment observation. You might be guided to track sensations in a particular part of the body, notice the rhythm of your breath, or explore a small, gentle movement. These practices are intended to cultivate information - not to force change.

The clinician will normally check in about your level of comfort and offer clear options so you feel able to pause or shift focus at any point. Work can include verbal reflection alongside somatic interventions. For some people, touch may be offered as one of several tools, but this should always be discussed and agreed in advance with a registered practitioner. Sessions often involve experiments in noticing how a small change in breath or posture influences emotion, and over time you may develop skills to self-regulate between sessions.

Safety and Pacing

Pacing is a central consideration. Because somatic work can bring strong sensations or memories to the surface, a good therapist will co-regulate with you - for example by modelling calm posture and breath - and will help you stay within a manageable window of activation. This gradual approach allows you to build tolerance and resilience rather than becoming overwhelmed. If you have a history of significant trauma, an experienced practitioner will discuss therapeutic boundaries, consent and how to tailor the work to your needs.

How Somatic Therapy Differs from Other Approaches

Compared with talk-based therapies that focus primarily on thought patterns and beliefs, somatic approaches place more emphasis on the role of the body and nervous system. That does not mean talk is absent, but the entry point is often bodily experience. For example, cognitive behavioural approaches may work with patterns of thinking to change emotional responses, while somatic work may begin with noticing a tightness in the chest and exploring how that relates to an anxious thought. In practice many therapists integrate multiple methods, using somatic tools alongside cognitive and relational techniques.

Another difference lies in the tempo and attentional stance. Somatic sessions often encourage a slower, more sensory-focused attention that can reveal subtleties missed by faster-paced conversational styles. For some people this direct engagement with sensation feels more immediate and tangible than purely cognitive work. However, somatic therapy is not an alternative for everyone; some people prefer to work primarily with meaning-making or behavioural experiments. The best approach depends on what helps you feel understood and able to change.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Somatic Therapy

Somatic Therapy can be helpful for a wide range of people, but certain features make it particularly suitable. If you notice that emotions express themselves strongly in your body - for example through tension, breath-holding, or dissociative sensations - you may find somatic methods useful. People who have found purely talk-based therapy limited in resolving physical symptoms of stress often report benefit from adding body-oriented practices. It may also suit those who prefer experiential learning - engaging with movement and sensation rather than focusing solely on narratives or cognitive reframing.

It is important to be aware that somatic work can be emotionally potent. If you have complex or recent trauma, you should seek a therapist who is experienced in trauma-informed somatic practices and who is registered or accredited with a recognised professional body. You should feel able to set boundaries and to pause any exercise that feels too intense. If you have physical health concerns, a discussion with your GP or relevant health professional may help clarify whether somatic practices are appropriate alongside other treatments.

How to Find the Right Somatic Therapist

When looking for a somatic therapist, start by checking training and accreditation. Practitioners may be trained in various somatic approaches - such as sensorimotor psychotherapy, somatic experiencing, or body-oriented psychotherapy - and many will hold recognised professional registration. Read profiles to understand which methods they use and how they describe their approach. This will help you find someone whose style aligns with your needs, whether you prefer more movement-based work or a gentler, breath-focused orientation.

Consider practicalities such as location, fees and whether sessions are offered in-person or remotely. If in-person, the environment should feel comfortable and respectful. Many therapists offer an initial consultation where you can ask about experience with trauma, their approach to consent and touch, and how they manage intense responses. Use that conversation to assess how safe and heard you feel. Trust your sense of fit - you should feel that the practitioner listens and responds to your concerns in a way that makes you feel understood.

Finally, give yourself time. It can take a few sessions to settle into somatic work and to notice cumulative changes. Keep communication open with your therapist about what helps and what does not, and remember that integrating body-centred practices with other therapeutic work is perfectly reasonable. With the right practitioner, somatic therapy can offer a practical way to reconnect with your body, develop regulation skills and carry change into daily life.