Somatic Therapy in Los Feliz
Stress does not only exist in your thoughts. It also lives in your body. You may feel it as tension, restlessness, heaviness, or a constant sense of unease. Somatic therapy helps you understand and release what your body has been holding.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between your mind and body. When you experience stress, anxiety, or difficult events, your body responds and often holds onto those experiences. This approach helps you become more aware of those physical responses and gently work through them.
What Somatic Therapy Helps With?
Chronic stress
Anxiety and panic
Feeling disconnected or numb
Physical tension in the body
Difficulty relaxing or feeling present
What to Expect
In sessions, we gently bring attention to your physical sensations in a way that feels safe and manageable. You will begin to notice how your body responds to stress, understand patterns of tension or shutdown, and learn how to regulate your nervous system. Over time, this process helps your body release stored stress and return to a more balanced and steady state.
How It Works
You can expect a slow and supportive pace where nothing feels overwhelming or forced. The focus is on building simple awareness of your body and how it responds, while introducing practical tools that help you feel more grounded. As the work continues, many people begin to experience a deeper sense of calm, presence, and connection to themselves.
FAQs
How is somatic therapy different from talk therapy?
1
Traditional talk therapy often focuses on thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Somatic therapy incorporates awareness of physical sensations and nervous-system responses alongside these conversations. The two approaches can complement one another.
Do I have to talk about my trauma?
2
Not necessarily. Somatic therapy can help you explore present-moment responses without requiring detailed retelling of traumatic experiences. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to determine what feels appropriate.
Is somatic therapy the same as massage or bodywork?
3
No. Somatic psychotherapy primarily uses awareness, reflection, and experiential techniques to explore the relationship between physical sensations and emotional experiences. It generally does not involve physical touch.
Can somatic therapy help with anxiety?
4
Somatic techniques may help you recognize physical signs of anxiety and develop strategies for responding to them. They can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches depending on your needs.