Somatic Experiencing Therapy
"Trauma victims cannot recover until they become familiar with and befriend the sensations in their bodies." - Bessel A. van der Kolk
Have you ever experienced the suffocating feeling of being trapped in a particular way of life? For instance, where you feel utterly powerless and can’t seem to break free? Perhaps, you’re confined to a rigid life pattern and you’re wanting to escape from the same oppressive routine. If you’re wanting to seek freedom and explore new possibilities, but the weight of your uncertainty, fear, and confusion have kept you from doing so.
If you’re resonating with this, it’s possible that you’re experiencing the lasting effects of a traumatic event. Maybe you’re not even aware of it. Trauma can bring up a whole range of emotions, from fear and despair to sadness and guilt. Hence, these feelings can be overwhelming, and it’s totally normal to feel that way right now. However, with the right support and help, you can find ways to ease the pain and bring back a sense of balance within yourself.
The Somatic Experience in Trauma
Trauma and other stress-related conditions are closely connected to our bodily experiences. So, when we come face to face with perceived or actual dangerous and harmful events, our body’s stress response kicks in. This is commonly known as the fight, flight, or freeze response. However, our bodies can sometimes get trapped or immobilized in a traumatic event. While, causing us to unintentionally relive that trauma over and over throughout our lives.
If you’ve tried other therapeutic techniques without success, you might still feel trapped in this state. But don’t despair! A therapy approach called Somatic Experiencing could be the solution to help you move through your trauma and into a place of healing. This modality focuses on the body’s innate ability to heal itself by becoming aware of and befriending the sensations we feel in our bodies when we’re triggered by traumatic memories.
The Goal is to Bring Awareness to Those Uncomfortable Feelings, Allowing Us to Free Ourselves From Their Grip.
With Somatic Experiencing, we can learn to recognize our triggers and develop a healthier relationship with them. We can also learn how to regulate our emotions better. Which will ultimately lead to increased resilience and improved emotional well-being. This approach was developed by Dr. Peter Levine. It offers a body-centered approach to trauma therapy.
Instead of solely focusing on the story or memory of the traumatic event, this approach prioritizes the physiological response. While a specific incident can trigger trauma, the actual trauma originates from the body being overwhelmed by the fight or flight response. Through somatic therapy techniques, traumatic shock is released. Thus, harnessing the body’s inherent healing abilities. Ultimately, this process restores a sense of vitality, relaxation, and wholeness to individuals affected by trauma.
What Makes Somatic Experiencing Therapy Incredibly Effective?
Somatic Experiencing Therapy is incredibly powerful because it’s rooted in the body’s biological stress responses. In somatic experiencing therapy, we achieve healing by cultivating awareness and focusing on the bodily “felt sense” rather than cognitive memories or thoughts of specific events. With the guidance of a therapist, we can develop the ability to regulate our nervous systems. Therefore, this approach optimizes our well-being and facilitates deep transformation.
Going through Somatic Experiencing Therapy in Macon, GA allows us to release old, trapped, and damaging memories. We attend to ourselves, learn to track the things that disturb us on the level of the “felt sense”, and we find the inner resources that have been there all along. Typically, we notice the things that make us “feel good” and tap into the calm and strength that is within us. We heal through renewed confidence, self-awareness, courage, and hope.
So, You’re Wondering, “How Can We Escape From This State of Feeling ‘Stuck’?”
Through the practice of Somatic Experiencing, your skilled therapist will accompany you in exploring suppressed emotions and the discomfort they bring within your body. Together, you will learn techniques to release and transform these emotions and sensations effectively. However, by cultivating resilience towards these experiences, the impact of traumatic memories and events can be diminished. Empowering you to create positive changes in your responses and behavioral patterns.
What Conditions Benefit from Somatic Experiencing?
Trauma can emerge from a single event that feels life-threatening or build up from prolonged stress when we feel trapped or powerless. For this reason, somatic experiencing has shown its effectiveness in treating childhood trauma, as well as PTSD and stress.
Ultimately, the presence of these trauma symptoms indicates that somatic experiencing might be able to provide valuable assistance:
- Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Hyper-alertness or over-reactions to perceived threats
- Suicidal thoughts
- Eating disorders
- Sleep issues
- Substance abuse
Namely, some of the experiences that are effectively processed with somatic experiencing techniques are:
- Accidents or natural disasters
- War and combat experiences
- Invasive medical procedures
- Physical or sexual assault
- Emotional abuse or neglect
- Birth trauma
- Dysregulation
- Explosive behavior or lashing out with anger
- PTSD
- Chronic fear
- Experiencing a sense of “shutting down”
- Hyperarousal and hypervigilance
- Dissociation
Somatic Experiencing is an incredibly effective treatment for a range of stress-related disorders. Unlike Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other approaches, it doesn’t just focus on the incident itself, but also on the physiological effects that come with it. Thus, by addressing these effects, Somatic Experiencing offers a truly unique and holistic approach to healing trauma. We are here to support you on this journey. Together, let’s have FUN, get REAL, and HEAL!
Our Team is Dedicated to Empowering Your Path to Healing
At The Comfy Place, we truly understand that healing from trauma is a deeply personal and one-of-a-kind journey. That’s why we’re totally committed to being there for you every step of the way. Providing unwavering support throughout your healing process. With our extensive experience in working with individuals who have faced trauma, we genuinely empathize with the feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and overwhelming anxiety that often come along with it. However, through trauma therapy, we’ve been privileged to witness incredible transformations as our clients discover newfound hope and resilience.
Our team of experienced therapists is here to provide you with the support, guidance, and assistance you need to heal from trauma. We truly understand the profound impact trauma can have on your life. Our team firmly believes that everyone deserves to live a life free from its burdens. With compassion and expertise, we will work together to create a safe and nurturing environment where you can explore your emotions, process your experiences, and begin your journey toward a brighter future.
We Will Welcome You with Open Arms, No Matter Where You are on Your Healing Journey.
We are here for you, fully dedicated to supporting your healing journey. Our therapists understand that healing is a deeply personal and individual process. For this reason, together, we will create a customized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals. Our caring therapists will provide a safe and nurturing space where you can heal at your own pace, in your own unique way. You are not alone on this journey.
We get it, taking that first step toward healing can feel overwhelming. But here’s the thing: you’re never alone in this journey. Our compassionate clinicians are right here with you, ready to support you at every single step. They’ll provide you with the tools and resources you need to facilitate your healing and personal growth. With our guidance, you’ll be able to reclaim your life and move forward with newfound confidence and resilience.
Don’t Just Exist, Start Living With Somatic Experiencing Therapy in Macon, Alpharetta, Savannah, or Hiram, GA
Ready unlock your inner resilience and find hope and healing in Macon, GA? Experience the transformative power of Somatic Experiencing Therapy. Our compassionate and experienced therapists are here to help you gain the tools and skills needed to move forward and create a brighter tomorrow. Together, let’s have FUN, get REAL, and HEAL! We are here for you every step of the way. If you’re interested in starting your therapy journey:
- Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Phone Consult
- Learn More About Us and Our Services
- Take the first step today and let the transformation begin!
Other Therapy Services Offered at The Comfy Place
At The Comfy Place, we understand that you may struggle with more than just trauma. This is why our therapists provide a variety of services online or at our practice in Georgia. Our services include: Therapy for Adults, Therapy for Young Adults, Therapy for Teens, Children’s Therapy, Family Therapy, Group Therapy, Therapy for Couples, and Online Therapy. We also specialize in Anxiety, LGBTQ, Brainspotting, EMDR, Play Therapy, ADHD and ADD, PTSD, Depression, Anger Management, Self Esteem, and Life Transitions. We’re here with open arms, ready to answer your questions and get you or your child started on the path to healing and happiness!
Your past doesn't have to determine your future. Contact us today to talk about how we can help you start your healing journey!
Getting Started
Step One: Schedule a consultation
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Step Two: Free 15 Minute Chat
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Step Three: Schedule an Appointment
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Step Four: Welcome!
Your visit to The Comfy Place will be the first step on the path to feeling better!