May 29, 2026
We can all relate to the feeling of a sudden racing heart, a heavy stone in the pit of the stomach, or shoulders that never seem to unclench. What is the body trying to tell us? Somatic therapy provides a way of communication between mind and body, and a way of processing trauma that was first stored in the body, before the mind placed a narrative over it. In other words, the body feels trauma first, then the mind tries its best to make sense of it. Imagine the body as a racetrack and at different pit stops around the track, stress or trauma can get stuck. Instead of continuing around the track, those pit stops send up flares and trigger a response within your nervous system. Your nervous system has different levels which lead to a different response within each of us. The most common ones are fight, leading to sensations in the body like tension and pain, flight, causing sensations such as anxiety and lack of concentration, or freeze leading to lack of motivation or depression.
Traditional talking therapy such as CBT will begin their exploration through thoughts, whereas Somatic will begin through sensation. Trauma happens to the body first before it is then processed by the mind. Although there is a wealth of evidence to support CBT, Somatic Therapy is very much on the rise. Research continues to grow for body-based practices, and its amazing work with conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, chronic stress, grief, low self-esteem and difficulties with trust and intimacy.
Every session begins with an initial conversation. It is important that each person feels that the therapist they have chosen is right for them. Rapport and building a sense of safety are paramount. The therapist will then teach the client how to tune into bodily sensations, how to work with their own nervous system, and there will be a mixture of dialogue with the mind and the body through gentle guided exercises and talking. What underpins each session is that the client stays in control, and nothing is forced. Progress is built on a strong foundation, gradually but can be profound.
Soma Therapi is a somatic counselling and yoga studio within South Wales that offers a free consultation to talk about whether somatic therapy is for you. Sessions can be both online and face to face.
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