What Is Somatic Therapy and How Does It Work?
Somatic therapy is a body-focused form of psychotherapy that recognizes the connection between mind, body, and emotions. Instead of focusing only on thoughts, this approach helps people notice how trauma, anxiety, and stress appear in the body.
Research shows that traumatic events can remain in the nervous system long after they happen. Through practices such as breath awareness, grounding, and sensory tracking, somatic therapy helps regulate these responses and heal trauma.
Somatic Therapy vs Traditional Talk Therapy
Many people begin therapy by exploring thoughts and emotions through conversation. While traditional talk therapy can be very effective for many mental health concerns, it may not fully address how trauma and stress responses are stored in the body.
Somatic therapy adds a body-based perspective by helping clients notice physical sensations and regulate the nervous system. This approach supports deeper healing by addressing both emotional experiences and the body’s response to traumatic events.
| Traditional Talk Therapy | Somatic Therapy |
|---|---|
| Focuses on thoughts, beliefs, and emotions | Focuses on body sensations and nervous system responses |
| Uses conversation to explore experiences | Uses body awareness and sensory tracking |
| Helps understand patterns and behaviours | Helps release stress and tension stored in the body |
| Supports emotional insight and coping strategies | Supports trauma recovery and nervous system regulation |
The Benefits of Releasing Trauma Held in the Body
When Somatic Therapy Can Help
People often seek somatic therapy in Houston when they feel overwhelmed by stress responses, emotional disconnection, or persistent physical symptoms that traditional approaches have not resolved. This form of therapy may support individuals experiencing:
Meet Your Practitioners
Brittnie Grono
Brittnie works with teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioural challenges. Her work integrates somatic therapy to support emotional regulation and long-term healing.
Courtney Chiles-Cloud
Courtney supports youth and families impacted by trauma, anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Her approach helps clients regulate the nervous system and build resilience after traumatic experiences.
Kelsey Engdorf
Kelsey works with teens, young adults, and adults navigating trauma and life transitions, helping them reconnect with their body, emotions, and sense of direction.
Talia Loredo
Talia helps adults address anxiety, anger, depression, and relationship challenges through a compassionate and mind-body therapeutic approach.
Vanessa Clairjeune
Vanessa supports teens and adults experiencing trauma, chronic pain, maternal health concerns, and emotional stress, integrating somatic approaches to improve overall well-being.
Helping Your Body Release Stress and Trauma Safely
Somatic therapy uses gentle, evidence-informed practices that help clients reconnect with their body, regulate the nervous system, and support long-term trauma recovery. These techniques focus on building awareness of physical sensations while allowing emotions and painful memories to be processed safely.
Nervous System Regulation Techniques
Trauma can keep the nervous system in a constant state of alert. Somatic therapists use grounding exercises, breathwork, and other relaxation techniques to calm stress responses and restore balance. These practices help reduce chronic stress, anxiety, and physical symptoms while improving emotional stability and well-being.
Movement and Somatic Release Practices
The body has a natural ability to process stress and restore equilibrium. Gentle movement, stretching, and posture awareness can help the body release tension that has accumulated after traumatic experiences. These practices support emotional processing and help clients reconnect with their bodies in a safe and supportive way.
What Your First Somatic Therapy Session Looks Like
Your first session focuses on understanding your goals, experiences, and the mental health challenges you would like to address in therapy.
Your therapist may guide you through simple body-awareness exercises to observe how your body responds to emotions, stress, or difficult memories.
Sessions move at a comfortable pace and prioritize safety, trust, and connection while helping you explore both thoughts and physical sensations.
