Somatic Therapy: What Is It and How Does It Work?
If you’ve ever felt like your body is holding onto stress long after the moment has passed, you’re not imagining it. Trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress don’t just affect your mind. They live in your body, too. That’s where somatic therapy comes in.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses primarily on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy is a body-centred approach to healing. It works directly with your nervous system to help release the tension, fear, and trauma that’s been stored in your muscles, breath, and posture, often without you even realising it.
And if you're in or near Plymouth, MI, this powerful approach is available right here at Think Feel Talk Therapy, where we specialise in trauma-informed care using somatic methods that support healing from the inside out.
Quick Answer: What is somatic therapy, and how does it work?
Somatic therapy is a body-based therapeutic approach that helps release stored trauma and chronic stress through movement, sensation awareness, and nervous system regulation. It's especially helpful when talk therapy alone isn’t enough to bring lasting relief.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
At its heart, somatic therapy is about helping your body heal not just your thoughts.
The word “somatic” comes from “soma,” meaning body. So somatic therapy simply means working with the body to heal from stress and trauma.
When something hard happens like a loss, a scary event, or ongoing stress, your nervous system kicks in to protect you. That’s the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response.
But if your body doesn’t get to finish that response (like running, crying, or even shaking it off), the stress gets stuck.
And that stuck survival energy doesn’t just go away.
It can show up as:
Tight shoulders or jaw
Always feeling on edge
Trouble sleeping
Feeling numb or “not here”
Overreacting to little things
Somatic therapy helps your body finally let go of that tension. Gently, safely, and at your pace.
Because healing isn’t just about talking.
It’s about helping your body feel safe again.
How Does Somatic Therapy Work?
Somatic therapy doesn’t just involve talking, it invites the body into the healing process.
A trained somatic therapist may guide you through a mix of techniques such as:
Breathwork
Grounding exercises
Body scanning
Gentle movement or postural awareness
Tension release techniques
Tracking internal sensations (called interoception)
Mindful touch (self or therapist-guided)
These techniques help regulate your autonomic nervous system. Specifically by activating the parasympathetic response (your body’s “rest and digest” mode).
Over time, your body begins to trust that it's safe again.
As Dr. Peter Levine, the founder of Somatic Experiencing®, explains:
“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
In somatic therapy, your body finally gets the chance to be heard and to let go.
Who Is Somatic Therapy For?
Somatic therapy is helpful for anyone, but it's especially effective for people who:
Feel stuck in talk therapy
Experience anxiety, PTSD, or complex trauma
Have chronic pain, fatigue, or tension with no clear medical cause
Struggle with emotional overwhelm or numbing
Find it hard to connect with or feel safe in their bodies
Live with childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect
If you’ve ever said something like:
“I understand what happened, but I still feel it in my body,”
somatic therapy might be the missing piece.
What Happens in a Somatic Therapy Session?
At Think Feel Talk Therapy in Plymouth, MI, every somatic therapy session is trauma-informed and client-centered.
Here's what a typical session might include:
A gentle check-in to see how you're feeling emotionally and physically
Body-based practices, such as grounding or breathwork
Tracking sensations and noticing where emotions live in the body
Movement or posture work (always optional)
Somatic dialogue: connecting body cues with thoughts or feelings
Integration and regulation, helping your system return to balance
You’re always in control. Somatic therapy is collaborative, not directive. You never have to do or talk about anything you’re not ready for.
Why Somatic Therapy Works (When Talk Therapy Doesn’t Feel Like Enough)
Talk therapy is incredibly valuable for understanding your story and making sense of your emotions. But sometimes, insight alone doesn’t bring relief.
Why?
Because trauma is pre-verbal. It’s stored in your limbic system, in the parts of your brain and body that don’t speak language.
If you've ever said:
“I’ve processed this over and over, but I still feel anxious.”
“I know I’m safe now, but my body doesn’t believe it.”
“I’ve done therapy for years, but I still feel stuck.”
Somatic therapy helps bridge that gap. It teaches your body how to feel safe again, not just how to think safe thoughts.
What are Benefits of Somatic Therapy
Clients often experience:
Reduced anxiety and panic
Fewer emotional triggers
Improved sleep and digestion
A sense of grounding and presence
More trust in their body
Relief from chronic tension or pain
Emotional resilience
This approach is particularly effective for complex trauma, childhood trauma, PTSD, and dissociation.
Real Healing Starts with the Body
If you’ve tried everything and still feel dysregulated, numb, or stuck in survival mode, somatic therapy might be the key to unlocking lasting change.
At Think Feel Talk Therapy, we offer somatic therapy for trauma, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm in Plymouth, MI. Our therapists are trained in trauma-informed care and will meet you exactly where you are, no pressure, no rush.
FAQs About Somatic Therapy
Q: Is somatic therapy safe for trauma survivors?
A: Yes. Somatic therapy is trauma-sensitive and always led at your pace. The goal is to build safety before exploring deeper patterns.
Q: Do I need to be comfortable in my body to start?
A: Not at all. Many people start somatic therapy feeling disconnected. Reconnection happens gradually and with support.
Q: Can somatic therapy be combined with other approaches?
A: Absolutely. We often integrate somatic work with CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness-based therapies for a holistic approach.
Start Somatic Therapy in Plymouth, MI
If you're ready to feel more at home in your body, and finally release what’s been stuck. We're here to help.
Located in Plymouth, MI, Think Feel Talk Therapy offers compassionate, body-based trauma care.
Book your somatic therapy consultation today and start your journey toward lasting healing.