When healing from addiction or mental illness, it is important to approach treatment through a multi-faceted, holistic approach that integrates the mind, body, and spirit. Although talk therapy is incredibly helpful in processing emotions and situations, somatic therapies can help bridge the gap between talking, knowing, and feeling to experience the fullest embodiment of your authentic self.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy approaches healing through the integration of the mind and body connection. The connection the mind and body have in healing is significant, which is why it is important to ensure therapeutic modalities integrate mind-body approaches in healing for the best outcomes.
Who Is It Used For?
Somatic therapy can be used for everyone. More specifically, if you are healing from the following ailments, you may experience immense benefits from somatic therapy:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Grief
- Addiction
- Relationship concerns
You do not have to have significant emotional or mental health concerns to decide whether you want to be in therapy, as therapy is for anyone who wants to experience more peace, presence, and connection in their lives.
What to Expect
Every therapist does therapy a little differently, as each person has their own therapeutic style. During somatic therapy sessions, you can expect to engage in conversation about physical sensations that come up for you as you process emotional wounds, trauma, and life experiences. Gaining awareness of what happens in your physical body as you are processing core experiences increases the connection you have between your mind and body, leading to healing.
You can also expect to engage in somatic practices such as deep breathing, meditation, breathwork, movement, and other mindful body-centered therapies your therapist may invite you to try. Your therapist will likely use these practices in the session and encourage you to use them outside of the session as well.
Healing from the inside out is only possible through a holistic and integrative approach to treatment, honoring you as a whole person. This means healing the mind-body connection and learning and engaging in practices that increase the connection you experience within yourself. By beginning to bridge the gap between thinking and feeling through somatic therapy, you can feel more embodied, content, and present.
Somatic therapy encourages mind-body integration in healing. Without honoring both the mind and body, healing is more difficult, as it must be approached with the whole person in mind. At Avalon Malibu, we encourage mind-body connection and approach healing through a whole-person lens. Because of this, modalities such as somatic therapy are weaved into treatment plans to help you feel connected with your mind, body, and spirit. If you are ready to begin your healing journey and create change, call Avalon Malibu today at (844) 857-5992.
