In the journey of healing from trauma, there’s a profound need to explore avenues beyond traditional talk therapy. While verbal expression is valuable, the body holds its own language, and somatic healing taps into this wisdom. In this blog, I dive into the transformative power of somatic healing, shedding light on why it’s critical in the path to trauma recovery.
Understanding Trauma: A Complex Journey
Trauma, whether stemming from childhood experiences or adult hardships, leaves a lasting imprint on the mind, body, and spirit. Yes, it literally impacts your body.
The effect of emotional trauma can manifest in various forms, from chronic anxiety and depression to physical diseases and even relationship struggles. Traditional therapeutic approaches (e.g., CBT, DBT) primarily focus on cognitive processes, overlooking the complex connection between bodily sensations and emotional wounds.
Although traditional therapeutic approaches hold value in the process of trauma healing, their scope is limited.
What is Somatic Healing?
Somatic healing practices are forms of therapeutic modalities that focus on the connection between the mind and body to address emotional and psychological trauma. Somatic healing includes different techniques that aim to release stored trauma and tension from the body, promoting healing and integration on both physical and emotional levels.
Somatic healing recognizes that emotional trauma lives not only in memories and thoughts but also in our body itself. Learn more about the biological impact of trauma.
Somatic healing practices help you release layers of deeply entrenched trauma to facilitate healing from within. This is done by engaging in mindful awareness of bodily sensations, movements, and expressions. This holistic approach integrates body, mind, and spirit, offering a comprehensive framework for trauma transformation.
What is Embodied Experiencing?
Embodied experiences involve being fully present in the moment, attuned to the sensations, emotions, and movements of the body. Conventional therapy uses dialogue, while somatic healing invites you to attune to bodily experiences.
Traditional therapy and somatic healing require using a different part of your brain, and that’s the key to comprehensive trauma healing.
Embodiment practices include things like breathwork, yoga, dance, and mindful movement. Embodied exploration fosters a sense of safety, empowerment, and self-trust, paving the way for profound shifts in consciousness.
It’s important to understand that embodied experiences go beyond just movement; they’re meant to strengthen the mind-body connection with purpose. These practices (when done in a trauma-informed setting) can offer a profound exploration of the intricate relationship between body and psyche, resulting in a transformative experience.
My Journey Through Somatic Healing
I spent fifteen years in traditional therapy, grappling with symptoms of unresolved trauma that always lingered despite my efforts. Deeply insecure, anxious, and disconnected, I craved more but found myself trapped in a cycle of pain. Eventually, my body gave out on me and forced me to rest.
I was diagnosed with a neurological disability caused by unresolved trauma, and that’s when I embarked on a journey of holistic trauma healing that included somatic healing along with trauma-informed care.
After one year of somatic healing, I stand as a living testimony to the transformative power of somatic therapy. No longer bound by anxiety or insecurity, I navigate life with a newfound sense of authenticity and joy. Somatic healing is restoring my physical well-being. I feel a sense of inner peace, happiness, and joy I couldn’t even fathom possible before.
I am living proof that true healing begins when we bravely listen to the wisdom of our bodies. Want to join me on a 6-week journey of somatic healing? Explore Creating Calm Within.
Embracing a Holistic Approach to Trauma Healing
At Awakened Mom Life, we loudly advocate for trauma-informed care in therapeutic settings. You may be surprised to know that most therapists and medical professionals are not trauma-informed.
Being trauma-informed as a medical practitioner means understanding how trauma affects individuals and integrating this knowledge into patient care. It involves recognizing the prevalence of trauma, acknowledging its impact on health and well-being, and creating a safe and supportive environment for patients.
Trauma-informed care also emphasizes building trust, respecting boundaries, and empowering patients in their healing journey. Additionally, it involves avoiding re-traumatization and providing resources and referrals for specialized support when needed.
Overall, being trauma-informed means approaching healthcare with sensitivity, empathy, and a commitment to promoting healing and resilience in those who have experienced trauma.
By integrating embodied practices into our approach, we honor the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, fostering profound transformation at the deepest levels of our being.
A Path to Wholeness after Trauma
Somatic healing is a beacon of hope and resilience in the world of trauma recovery. I encourage you to embrace your body’s wisdom and embark on a healing journey that transcends the limits of language. This will lead you to wholeness and help you reclaim your birthright to live fully and authentically.
