Criticism of somatic experiencing (SE) often arises because it differs from the more dominant approaches typically used in Western medicine. SE focuses on the body’s innate capacity to heal trauma through internal sensations and subtle movements, which can feel abstract to those used to more direct symptom-based treatments.

Western medicine tends to favor interventions that are visible, measurable, and quick to produce results—like therapies that can be neatly categorized and studied in controlled environments. While there is research to support the use of SE, there is not a vast number of studies like there are for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that’s been around for decades.

There is also a tendency within Western medicine to treat the mind and body as separate entities. Somatic experiencing challenges this dualistic view, by integrating both the mind and body. Western medicine often separates mental health from physical health, whereas SE sees them as deeply connected. This holistic approach can be difficult to reconcile with a system built on specialization and division between mental and physical healthcare.

As a somatic psychotherapist, I combine somatic therapy and traditional talk therapy to provide trauma treatment that promotes your mind-body connection and wholeness. I use my training, experiences, and intuition to provide therapy that helps you reconnect with yourself. I also have a unique perspective on the criticisms of SE because I’m professionally trained in Western therapeutic approaches as well as somatic therapies.

Below we’ll explore components of somatic therapy, SE, common criticisms, scientific evidence, and possible benefits so that you can decide if this treatment is a good fit for you.

Understanding somatic therapy

There’s a delicate yet powerful connection between our bodies and minds that can be disrupted by trauma. Somatic therapy seeks to help individuals heal and strengthen this connection. (Common terms used for somatic therapy include somatic psychology, body psychotherapy, and body therapy.)

At its core, this therapy is a body-centered approach to healing. Unlike traditional talk therapies, it invites you to become more aware of your physical sensations, allowing these bodily responses to lead the healing process.

Whether it’s through breath work, movement, or grounding exercises, this form of therapy emphasizes the body as a gateway to emotional well-being.

One particular method, somatic experiencing (SE), is a trauma therapy that guides you to release stored tension, emotions, and distressing memories held by the body. When we’re unable to process a traumatic experience fully, our bodies often hold on to it.

In SE, clients slowly revisit traumatic memories and emotional experiences while being attuned to the body’s signals. This helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, builds body awareness, and facilitates a more profound sense of relief.

Is somatic experiencing evidence-based?

In recent years, researchers and SE practitioners have conducted studies that examine SE’s effectiveness in treating trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Many somatic practitioners, including myself, have witnessed profound shifts in their clients’ well-being and mental health. We’ve seen this evidence-based practice help countless individuals tap into their body’s capacity to heal.

There is empirical evidence to support SE, particularly for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related conditions. A 2017 study found that individuals who engaged in somatic experiencing showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms.

A systematic review of numerous research studies found that SE had a positive effect and increased symptom reduction for trauma survivors as well as those who hadn’t experienced trauma.

As a SE therapist, I’ve seen firsthand the transformation somatic experiencing therapy fosters in my clients’ lives as well as my own life. My clients often experience a deeper sense of embodiment, emotional regulation, and connection with themselves.

I help clients learn to listen to their bodies and draw on their innate wisdom. I believe this creates a space for more holistic healing whether we’re addressing burnout, chronic pain, panic attacks, intense emotions, or a traumatic event.

What are the risks of somatic therapy?

Like any form of therapy, somatic therapy has potential risks which include:

Feeling Overwhelmed

Sometimes, tapping into a stored traumatic memory can bring up strong emotions that feel overwhelming. If not properly managed, clients can feel like they’re reliving the trauma, which is why working with trained somatic psychotherapists is essential.

Discomfort

Given that somatic therapy focuses on physical sensations, some people might experience discomfort in the body during SE sessions. This can stem from old injuries, tension, or unfamiliarity with bodily awareness.

Slower Progress

Somatic therapy involves a gentle, non-rushed, and holistic approach to healing trauma. To some individuals, this therapeutic process may feel like progress is slower compared to more cognitive-based methods.

Does somatic therapy really work?

Yes! Somatic therapy offers a holistic approach to healing that addresses your needs and promotes your wholeness. Some of the potential benefits include:

Increased Emotional Resilience

One of the most significant benefits of somatic therapy is the increase in emotional resilience. By working through bodily sensations associated with past traumatic events, individuals often gain greater control over their emotional responses and become better equipped to handle stress in the present.

Deeper Mind-Body Connection

Somatic therapy allows clients to reconnect with their bodies in profound ways. This can foster a deeper understanding of how emotions show up physically, which can, in turn, help reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms and distress from anxiety disorders and other mental health issues.

Improved Nervous System Regulation

This approach also helps restore balance to the nervous system by addressing the body’s fight, flight, or freeze responses. Over time, individuals may notice a greater sense of calm and stability, improving their ability to handle life’s challenges without becoming overwhelmed.

Enhanced Self-Awareness

As clients engage in somatic therapy, they often develop heightened self-awareness, not just of their physical sensations, but of their emotional, thought, and behavior patterns. This can lead to more mindful decision-making, stronger boundaries, and a deeper connection with their own needs and desires.

Lasting Healing

Unlike quick fixes, somatic therapy aims to offer long-lasting healing. By addressing trauma at the body level, individuals are often able to move beyond surface-level coping strategies, creating space for deep, transformative growth.

Through this process, many discover a renewed sense of wholeness, trusting their bodies and finding balance and strength within themselves.

Who might benefit from somatic therapy?

Somatic therapy can be beneficial for individuals wanting to heal from trauma, emotional distress, or chronic stress that feels stuck in the body. It’s particularly helpful for those who feel disconnected from their body, experience unexplained tension or pain, or have struggled to find relief through traditional talk therapy alone. Those dealing with traumatic stress disorders, anxiety, or depression often find that somatic therapy offers a new way to process emotions and restore balance by integrating the mind and body in the healing journey.

My experience with somatic therapy

In my work as a therapist, I’ve witnessed the deep healing of somatic therapy on my clients—and, truthfully, on myself as well. Trauma often lodges itself deeply within, in places words can’t always reach. Yet, I’ve seen that when we allow the body to lead, healing becomes not only possible but transformative.

Through somatic therapy, my clients have found pathways to relief they hadn’t even known were available. I’ve watched them shift from a place of tension and emotional disconnection to one of calm presence, by tuning into their body’s wis. It’s remarkable how the body can tell a story the mind might still be unraveling.

As a therapist, I lean heavily on intuition when guiding sessions. There’s something unspoken that happens in the room—a subtle exchange of energy, a shift in body language, or a softening in the breath—that tells me we’ve touched on something significant.

I’ve learned to trust this, and through it, I’m able to attune to my clients on a deeper level. Sometimes, it’s the things left unsaid that speak the loudest. I pick up on these cues, allowing them to guide our work together, gently bringing attention to the places that are asking for healing.

Interested in somatic psychotherapy?

If you’re searching for a welcoming space to go deeper and heal, I’d love to speak with you. Reach out today for a free consultation.

Sources

Brom, D.,et al. “Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study.” Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2017. Accessed September 18, 2024.

Kuhfuß, M., et al. “Somatic Experiencing – Effectiveness and Key Factors of a Body-Oriented Trauma Therapy: A Scoping Literature Review.” European Journal of Psychotraumatology, July 12, 2021. Accessed September 18, 2024.