Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy approaches therapy a little differently than traditional talk therapy.

While conversation is part of the process, we also pay attention to what is happening in your body—your posture, gestures, sensations, impulses for movement, as well as images, and memories that arise.

What should I expect from a Somatic therapy session

A session might begin with something that is happening in your life right now or something that occurred in the past. As we explore it together, I ask you to notice how the experience shows up in the present moment, perhaps as tension, heaviness, restlessness, or a particular posture. These bodily signals often guide us toward deeper old patterns. You may also be experiencing an emotion which is accompanied by a sensation in your body.

When difficult experiences are not fully processed, the body can remain in patterns of stress and protection. This can lead to anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, or a sense of disconnection.

As these patterns become clearer, we often find that they are connected to early experiences where important needs were not fully met: to feel safe, supported, seen, and heard.

Through somatic therapy, the body can gradually have new experiences in the present: experiences of support, safety, and relaxation that may have been missing earlier in life. When this happens genuine healing and change begins.

Somatic therapy can be helpful for working with anxiety, depression, grief, PTSD, and having grown up in a dysfunctional family.

Call Kathy Grayson MFT at 510-595-5556 to set up a free 20 minute phone consultation.  Kathy Grayson sees clients from Berkeley, Oakland, Albany,  and Alameda California.