Text Box: Somatic Integration Therapy is a form of body oriented psychotherapy based on the trauma principles introduced in Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing and Pat Ogden's Hakomi Integrative Somatics. During a traumatic event, there is a disconnect between the processing ability of the brain and the experienced emotions and body sensations. Our bodies begin a survival process that involves the activation of our Autonomic Nervous System. In this process the body automatically does what it needs to do to survive. This can include the shut down of feeling our sensations and emotions. The inability to process our reaction to the traumatic event will prevent the release of our intense body sensations and emotions. Therefore, we are left with stuck emotions and sensations such as: a scream that was never let out, the fear or anger that was never acted upon, the impulse to run that was never completed, and the sadness that was never expressed. When the trauma has passed, we begin to experience emotional and physical symptoms that baffle us. Often, we are not able to understand why we feel, behave, experience, and react in certain ways. In Somatic Integration Therapy, step by step, we discover our body memories and understand their meanings. The related trauma and stuck body sensations are tracked and come into awareness and released. This involves the release of both physical and emotional tensions, pains, and blockages that enables us to make progress in our day-to-day life.

 

Body, Mind, and Spirit Psychotherapy:

 A Synergistic Approach

Farinaz Amirsehi, LPC, NCC, RN

Licensed Professional Counselor