Unlocking Healing: Exploring Different Types of Somatic Therapy for Trauma Recovery
Welcome to the Aura Institute, where we offer advanced trauma-informed training so that you can have the tools to transform the lives of those affected by trauma.
Our curriculum is accredited for continuing education by prestigious organizations like the APA and Board of Nurses, ensuring practitioners receive top-notch training and credentials.
Contact us at info@aurainstitute.org or (424) 400-3048 to begin your journey as a certified trauma practitioner and make a positive impact in trauma care.
Exploring Diverse Somatic Therapy Approaches: A Comprehensive Guide to Trauma Healing
At Aura Institute, we strive to foster a deep understanding of mental health and provide resources to those pursuing professional training or personal wellness. The focus of our exploration today is on somatic therapy. This article delves into various types of somatic therapy used prominently in trauma recovery.
Key points covered in this article:
- Understanding somatic therapy.
- Importance of somatic therapy in trauma recovery.
- Diverse types of somatic therapy.
- Frequently asked questions about somatic therapy.
To ensure a comprehensive grasp of different types of somatic therapy, it is crucial to understand its foundational concept. Somatic Therapy surfaces from the understanding that the mind and body are intricately linked. It is a form of psychotherapy that uses bodily experiences as a pathway to mental wellness.
"The body keeps the score. If the memory of trauma is encoded in the viscera, in heartbreaking and gut-wrenching emotions, in autoimmune disorders and skeletal/muscular problems, and if mind/brain/consciousness is a product of the body, then it becomes clear that the body needs to be involved in the treatment of trauma." - Bessel A. van der Kolk, world-renowned trauma researcher.
Understanding this connection is foundational to exploring the diverse types of somatic therapy employed in trauma recovery.
1. Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a potent somatic therapy approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine. SE relies on the understanding of how animals in the wild process and recover from life-threat situations.
2. Hakomi Therapy
Hakomi Therapy, another type of somatic therapy, uses mindfulness and non-violence to help clients experience how the mind and body are interconnected.
3. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, eye movements, audio or taps to help individuals process traumatic memories.
4. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy intersects somatic therapies and psychotherapy, centering the body as a source of information and target for intervention.
Each of these therapies, while diverse in approach, centers on the understanding that trauma frequently manifests as physical symptoms. By addressing these symptoms, they aim to heal the underlying mental and emotional wounds.
FAQs about Somatic Therapy:
1. What is somatic therapy?
Somatic Therapy is a type of body-centered therapy that investigates the relationship between the body and the psyche.
2. How does somatic therapy work?
Different types of somatic therapy work by recognizing and releasing the physical manifestations of trauma in the body.
3. What types of trauma can somatic therapy address?
Somatic therapy can address both mental and physical trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, stress, and physical injury trauma.
4. Can somatic therapy be used in conjunction with other therapies?
Yes, somatic therapy is often used in conjunction with traditional talk-therapy, medication, and other holistic approaches to create a comprehensive treatment plan.
In short, somatic therapy offers a holistic approach to trauma recovery. Various techniques employed in different types of somatic therapy work in conjunction to address trauma from all angles--physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. By cultivating this multi-faceted approach, somatic therapy has the potential to be a genuine path to healing, understanding, and wellness.
Ready to start your career as a trauma informed care practitioner? Contact us at info@aurainstitute.org or (424) 400-3048 to begin your journey as a certified trauma practitioner and make a positive impact in trauma care.