Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Do you feel disconnected from your body or struggle to feel grounded in the present moment? Perhaps you’re experiencing physical symptoms of stress or trauma that seem beyond your control? These body-based challenges can significantly impact your daily life and overall well-being.
Are you experiencing any of these signs?
- Feeling physically tense or experiencing unexplained physical symptoms?
- Difficulty staying present in your body during stressful situations?
- Experiencing anxiety or trauma responses in your body?
- Finding yourself frequently holding your breath or breathing shallowly?
- Struggling to identify or express emotions through your body?
These experiences can leave you feeling disconnected and overwhelmed. With support from Somatic Therapy, you can reconnect with your body’s wisdom and develop greater physical and emotional resilience.
FAQ
What is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy is an approach that recognizes the connection between the mind, emotions, and body. Stressful or difficult experiences can affect not only our thoughts and emotions but also how our nervous system responds and how we physically experience ourselves.
Somatic therapy helps people increase awareness of body sensations, emotions, and nervous system responses to support healing, regulation, and greater connection with themselves.
How does somatic therapy work?
Somatic therapy helps you gently notice and explore physical sensations, emotions, breathing patterns, tension, and nervous system responses in a safe and supportive way.
The goal is not to analyze experiences only through thoughts, but also to understand how emotions and stress may show up physically in the body.
This can help people develop greater emotional awareness, regulation, and a stronger sense of connection with themselves.
What issues can somatic therapy help with?
Somatic therapy may help with:
- Anxiety
- Trauma and childhood wounds
- Chronic stress
- Emotional overwhelm
- Panic symptoms
- Relationship difficulties
- Grief and loss
- Burnout
- Difficulty feeling connected to emotions
- Feeling disconnected from your body
Somatic therapy can also support people seeking personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves.
Is somatic therapy only for trauma?
No. While somatic therapy is commonly used for trauma healing, it can also help people experiencing stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, emotional disconnection, or difficulty understanding their emotional experiences.
Many people use somatic approaches simply to feel more present, grounded, and connected to themselves.
What happens during a somatic therapy session?
Sessions may involve talking, exploring emotions, noticing body sensations, and increasing awareness of how your nervous system responds in different situations.
Depending on your comfort level and the therapist’s approach, sessions may also include mindfulness practices, breathing exercises, grounding techniques, or gentle awareness exercises.
Somatic therapy does not require physical touch.
Do I have to focus on my body the entire session?
No. Somatic therapy is not only about focusing on body sensations.
Sessions often include conversation and emotional exploration while gently bringing attention to what may be happening physically. The process happens gradually and at a pace that feels manageable.
Can somatic therapy help with anxiety?
Yes. Anxiety often affects both the mind and the body. People may notice racing thoughts, muscle tension, restlessness, changes in breathing, or feeling constantly on edge.
Somatic therapy can help people better understand their nervous system responses and develop greater awareness and regulation.
Can somatic therapy help me feel less disconnected or numb?
Yes. Some people experience emotional numbness or feel disconnected from themselves, their emotions, or their body, especially after stressful or overwhelming experiences.
Somatic therapy can help people slowly reconnect with emotions and physical experiences in a supportive and manageable way.
Is somatic therapy emotional?
It can be. People may experience emotions such as sadness, relief, anger, compassion, or calm as they connect more deeply with themselves.
The goal is not to overwhelm you but to create a process that feels safe, grounded, and supportive.
How long does somatic therapy take?
The length of therapy varies depending on your goals and experiences.
Some people notice changes within a few sessions, while others choose ongoing work for deeper healing, emotional growth, and lasting change.
Healing often happens gradually through increased awareness and new experiences of safety and connection.
Somatic Therapy is designed for a wide range of issues such as:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Chronic stress
- Anxiety disorders
- Physical tension
- Body image concerns
- Emotional regulation
- Dissociation
Why Choose
Terra Counselling?
We believe therapy should be:
Understanding Your Needs
We begin by listening closely to your story and understanding your unique needs. This initial step allows us to tailor therapy to your specific goals, challenges, and circumstances, ensuring you feel heard and supported from the very start.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Based on your individual needs, we create a customized treatment plan using evidence-based therapies like IFS (Internal Family System), EMDR, and Somatic practices. Our goal is to address the root causes of your concerns, fostering long-term healing and personal growth.
Ongoing Support & Growth
As you progress, we offer continuous support and guidance, helping you navigate challenges and celebrate milestones. Therapy at Terra Counselling is an evolving journey, where we adjust our approach as needed to help you achieve lasting change.
What You Can Expect From Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy helps you develop a deeper connection with your body’s natural wisdom. During therapy, you may experience:
- Increased body awareness
- Better understanding of physical stress responses
- Enhanced ability to self-regulate
- Greater sense of groundedness
- Improved mind-body connection
Somatic Therapy can benefit those experiencing:
- Physical manifestations of stress
- Disconnection from body sensations
- Trauma-related physical symptoms
- Difficulty with emotional regulation
- Desire for embodied healing
Through Somatic Therapy, you can transform your relationship with your body, fostering greater resilience and well-being through embodied awareness.
In-person and online counselling services for individuals and couples in Vancouver and across BC
Terra Counselling offers somatic therapy for adults and couples in Vancouver, Burnaby, and throughout BC through secure online and in-person counselling. We support individuals seeking help with anxiety, trauma, stress, emotional overwhelm, nervous system regulation, and reconnecting with themselves.
We help you heal, rediscover your true self, and build the fulfilling life you deserve.