embodying life
somatic psychotherapy
at mindfulness for life
what is somatic therapy?
It can be difficult to feel at home in ourselves, especially when we are in pain. In addition, there are some experiences it is hard to address in words – such as emotions, difficult or early memories.
To work more directly with deeply felt parts of our experience, Somatic Psychotherapy invites the body into psychotherapy.
embodying change is powerful
Important things can be voiced in therapy, but sometimes words are not enough. We can bring the body into therapy through paying gentle attention to your felt experience.
Who can benefit from somatic therapy?
Anyone who feels they would benefit from an active, holistic body-mind approach to therapy can work with somatic therapy.
Somatic therapy is particularly powerful for addressing and healing trauma, emotion disregulation and PTSD – whether it’s the impact of a single event, or the complex experience of a difficult past. These experiences injure our nervous systems, but we can help the nervous system recover. Somatic therapy transforms trauma at the neurological level.
Anxiety and depression can also be powerfully supported through tuning in to our felt sense, especially when you find talking keeps going in circles. Body-oriented therapies are also helpful for making change in other longstanding patterns. Sometimes we can feel the change that is possible before we understand what form it’s going to take in our lives.
Neurodivergent, creative and highly sensitive people often find that somatic therapies are effective and engaging for them in ways that traditional talk therapy may not be.
somatic therapy helps with :
- trauma
- chronic tension & stress
- PTSD
- anxiety
- obsessive thinking
- compulsive behaviours
- loss of sense of self
- neurodivergence
- depression
- feeling disconnected
- feeling numb
- feeling stuck in your head
- overwhelming emotions
- anger
what does somatic therapy look like?
Somatic therapy involves skills and actions you can do in the here and now which bring depth and create change in how you are feeling.
The focus will be on simply noticing and paying attention to your body. We may also work with breath, movement, self-touch, visualization or guided meditation – always following what is right for you. We will listen together for what your body holds, what it can release, and what new capacities for safety, warmth, and self expression can be experienced.
use somatic therapy to :
- get grounded
- find centre
- sense your needs and boundaries
- allow stuck feelings to release
- reconnect with pleasure and vitality
- get to the heart of things
- learn from the wisdom of your body
- regulate your nervous system
- manage overwhelm
- find confidence
- learn to truly rest
therapists offering somatic therapy at mindfulness for life
Bronwen: “my approach is relational and body-centered, helping you connect more deeply with your emotional truths, the signals and wisdom of your body, and your own sense of clarity and direction“
Benjamin: “I will encourage you to turn to yourself with curiosity and openness, so that your connection with yourself begins to feel like home.”
Oona: “Including the body in therapy can help us settle into being fully ourselves.”
Jessica is offering low cost somatic therapy through our affordable therapy program
somatic psychotherapy F.A.Q.
What does somatic therapy cost? Is is covered by insurance?
Our therapists charge between $170-$200 for a 50-minute appointment. We also have an affordable therapy program, offering a reduced fee of $60 to those who would not be able to access therapy without this support.
Psychotherapy is not covered by OHIP, but is covered by most private insurance plans. You must check with your individual provider to find out the details of your coverage.
Do I have to come in person? Can you do somatic therapy online?
We have offices for in-person therapy appointments located in Downtown Kitchener, and Toronto in the Dundas West and Roncesvalles neighbourhood.
We can offer online therapy appointments to people anywhere in Ontario.
Many people find that meeting with their therapist in person gives them greater focus and depth, especially for body-oriented therapy – but this is not true for everybody! Online somatic therapy is definitely possible. You and your therapist will work together to find ways to tune in and track what’s going on in your body, even over the video screen.
How long does somatic therapy take?
The length of time you spend in therapy will be a collaborative decision with your therapist, and varies person to person. Let your therapist know what’s important to you about how long and how frequently you want to work together.
According to psychotherapy research, many people will find new perspectives and skills in the first 6-12 meetings that make a significant difference in their lives. When people are able to do long term therapy work over the course of a year or more, they can find they are able to experience a deeper and sustained process of transformation and personal growth.
What types of therapy use a body-oriented approach?
Mindfulness-based therapies include body-awareness as part of what we tune in to, learn to be present with, allow and learn from.
Some somatic therapies that particularly focus on healing trauma are Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal Therapy and EMDR.
Hakomi, Generative Somatics, Bodymind Psychotherapy and Focusing are somatic therapies with a broader focus on embodiment, growth, empowerment and well-being.
Will I have to do movements or exercises? Will the therapist touch me?
No, your therapist will not touch you or expect you to do anything with your body that you don’t want to do. Somatic therapy is usually combined with talk therapy, so you can always be talking and reflecting on things when that is right for you.
Somatic therapies will mainly involve using your awareness to sense and notice your bodily experience. You may be invited to notice how small shifts in breathing or posture make you feel. If it is something you are interested in, the therapist may also help you explore how simple movements or gestures help your emotions move or shift. Overall, they are looking to help you find what feels good, resourcing, empowering, safe and grounding to you.