What Is Somatic Therapy for Trauma? A Body-Based Approach to Healing
A gentle, body-based way to heal what talking can’t always reach.
If you’ve lived through something overwhelming—whether it was years ago or just last month—you might still feel the ripple effects in your body today.
You might be thinking:
“Why do I still feel anxious when nothing’s wrong?”
“I’ve processed this in therapy before. Why is it still living in me?”
“I know I’m safe now, but my body doesn’t seem to believe it.”
That’s where somatic therapy for trauma comes in.
It’s not about rehashing every detail. It’s about helping your body feel safe again—at your own pace, without pressure.
Let’s walk through what it is, how it works, and what healing might look like for you.
First, a Quick Reminder: Trauma Isn’t Just About “What Happened”
Trauma isn’t defined by the event—it’s defined by how it lives in you.
It could be a big, obvious experience (abuse, loss, violence), or it could be a thousand tiny moments where your body never got to feel safe, seen, or in control.
Sometimes trauma looks like:
Dissociating during conflict or high-stress moments
Trouble sleeping, even when you’re exhausted
Feeling numb, spaced out, or “foggy”
Startle responses or chronic tension
Emotional overwhelm that comes out of nowhere
Trauma lives in the nervous system—and that’s exactly where somatic therapy starts.
So… What Is Somatic Therapy for Trauma?
Somatic therapy is a type of body-based therapy that focuses on how trauma affects your nervous system, your physical sensations, and your sense of safety in the world.
The goal isn’t just to talk about what happened.
The goal is to help your body release what it’s been holding—without re-traumatizing you or pushing you faster than you’re ready to go.
It’s about slowly reconnecting with your body in ways that feel safe, empowering, and healing.
What Does a Somatic Therapy Session Look Like?
You won’t be asked to relive your trauma or push past your limits.
Instead, we move slowly—often gently noticing what’s happening right now.
A session might include:
Checking in with how your body is feeling (tense, numb, heavy, warm)
Noticing where you carry stress or emotion (like your chest, stomach, throat, jaw)
Using breath, grounding, or movement to support regulation
Tracking sensations with curiosity, not judgment
Practicing ways to feel more present, safe, and stable—even in small moments
Sometimes trauma work means learning how to tolerate good feelings again—like calm, joy, or softness. Those are just as important as processing pain.
Why the Body Matters in Trauma Healing
Your body is wise. It holds memories, patterns, and protective responses that helped you survive.
But sometimes, those responses get stuck—like your system is still sounding the alarm even when the danger has passed.
Somatic therapy helps your nervous system learn that it’s safe to soften.
Safe to rest.
Safe to feel again.
This isn’t about “fixing” you—it’s about restoring the connection between your body, your emotions, and your inner sense of safety.
Somatic Therapy vs. Talk Therapy: What's the Difference?
Talk therapy helps you understand your story.
Somatic therapy helps your body stop reliving it.
Both are valuable. In fact, they often work beautifully together.
But if you’ve tried traditional talk therapy and still feel stuck—like your insights haven’t translated into change—somatic therapy might offer the missing piece.
Can Somatic Therapy Be Done Virtually?
Yes. 100%.
All of my sessions are offered virtually across Texas, and somatic work translates beautifully to online therapy.
You don’t need a massage table or special setup. You just need a quiet space, a little privacy, and a willingness to explore with me.
We’ll use what’s already available: your breath, your awareness, your body’s natural rhythms.
You’re always in control. No touching. No pressure. Just support.
Somatic Therapy Might Be Right for You If…
You’ve experienced trauma and feel disconnected from your body
You’re exhausted from living in survival mode
You want to feel more regulated, grounded, and present
You’ve done talk therapy and are ready to go deeper—but more gently
You’re curious about body-based healing but want to feel safe and in control
Whether you’re managing trauma from childhood, relationships, accidents, illness, or anything in between—this kind of therapy meets you where you are, with compassion and care.
You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone
Trauma can make the world feel small and loud.
Somatic therapy can help it feel spacious again.
Even if you don’t fully trust your body right now… even if everything in you has been holding it together for years… healing is still possible.
You can feel safe in your body.
You can feel safe in connection.
You can begin again.
Ready to Learn More?
I offer somatic therapy virtually for adults all across Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Houston, and beyond. Whether you’re in a big city or a quiet rural town, support is just a click away.
🧡 [Book a free consultation]
or
📩 [Send me a message]—no pressure, no commitment. Just space to ask questions and see if it feels right.
