What is somatic therapy?

If you’ve ever said:

“I don’t know why, but I feel constantly on edge.”
“Why do I freeze in discussions when I know exactly what I want to say?”
“Why can’t I sleep even when I am absolutely exhausted?”

…you’re already describing why somatic therapy exists.

Somatic therapy is a body-based approach to trauma healing (often referred to as a bottom-up healing method). Rather than focusing only on thoughts and memories, it gently works with how trauma is held in the nervous system — in the body.

This approach has been influenced by pioneers such as Peter Levine, founder of Somatic Experiencing®, and trauma specialist Babette Rothschild, who both emphasise safety, nervous system regulation, and body awareness in trauma recovery.

When something overwhelming or frightening happens, your nervous system does whatever it needs to do to keep you alive. This response is automatic — you don’t consciously plan it.

According to Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges, your nervous system shifts naturally between different states throughout the day. During trauma, it may activate survival responses such as:

• Fight

• Flight

• Freeze

• Fawn
  
  
  

If these responses don’t get to complete naturally, your body can remain stuck in survival mode — sometimes for years.

This might look like:

• Your heart racing when someone raises their voice

• Going blank in disagreements, even when you know what you want to say

• Feeling wired but exhausted

• Tension you can’t stretch away — no matter how many yoga or Pilates classes you attend

• Emotional reactions that feel bigger than the situation
  
  
  

Somatic therapy works directly with these nervous system patterns.

Not by forcing you to relive trauma.
Not by pushing past your body’s natural limits.
But by helping your body learn safety again — and rebuild trust.

Somatic therapy is usually slower and gentler than people expect — in a good way.

It is not based purely on talking therapy. This makes it ideal if you don’t want to revisit traumatic memories in detail or you struggle to explain what actually happened. You might not fully understand it yourself and that is also common.

Instead of asking for lots of details, I am more likely to ask about what you notice inside your body. What sensations do you experience? How does it show up in your life?

You learn to:

• Notice sensations safely

• Track subtle shifts in your nervous system

• Release stored tension gradually

• Build capacity to feel emotions without becoming overwhelmed
  
  
  

Think of it as physiotherapy for the nervous system.

Traditional talk therapy works with story. Somatic therapy works with physiology., your body.

When both align, healing deepens.

You don’t have to force yourself to be positive and you don't need to go through every traumatic detail. You don’t have to override your body. You can work with it.

If you’re curious about somatic therapy for trauma, depression, anxiety, or nervous system regulation, you’re welcome to explore how I offer this work and whether it feels like a good fit for you.

Your body isn’t broken.
It adapted to survive.
Now it can learn to feel safe again.