When talking about it isn't enough, your body may be telling your something.
Have you ever understood something intellectually but still felt stuck emotionally? Maybe you know you're safe, but your body doesn't seem to believe it. Maybe you feel tense, overwhelmed, shut down, restless, disconnected, or constantly "on." You may understand where your anxiety comes from, but still struggle to calm your body. Sometimes healing requires more than talking about what you're experiencing.
Somatic therapy offers a way to explore the connection between your mind, body, emotions, and nervous system.
At Stillpoint Counseling & Wellness, our therapists in Wilmington, NC use somatic and body-centered approaches to help clients become more aware of what is happening within them, develop greater capacity for emotional regulation, and build a deeper sense of connection with themselves.
Your body isn't working against you. It may be communicating something important.
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Somatic Therapy in Wilmington, NC
What is Somatic Therapy?
You might notice:
- Tightness in your chest when you're anxious
- A racing heart when something feels threatening
- Tension in your shoulders or jaw
- A pit in your stomach during difficult conversations
- Feeling restless or unable to settle
- Holding your breath without realizing it
- Feeling numb or disconnected from your body
- Becoming overwhelmed during conflict
- Feeling exhausted after emotionally difficult experiences
- Wanting to withdraw or shut down when things feel too intense
Depending on your needs and your therapist's training, sessions may include:
- Noticing physical sensations
- Developing greater body awareness
- Identifying patterns of tension or activation
- Exploring how emotions are experienced physically
- Learning grounding and regulation strategies
- Practicing mindful awareness
- Exploring movement or changes in posture
- Developing awareness of your nervous-system responses
- Connecting present experiences with past experiences
- Building a greater sense of safety and choice
- Learning to recognize when you are becoming overwhelmed or disconnected
Somatic Theapy and Trauma
Sometimes it shows up as:
- Feeling constantly on guard
- Difficulty relaxing
- Strong reactions that seem disproportionate to the situation
- Feeling unsafe even when you know you are safe
- Avoiding situations that remind you of the past
- Feeling disconnected from your emotions or body
- Difficulty trusting others
- Becoming overwhelmed during conflict
- Feeling numb or shut down
Although somatic approaches are often associated with trauma treatment, you don't need to identify with having experienced trauma to explore this type of therapy.
Somatic therapy may be helpful if you are experiencing:
- Anxiety
- Chronic stress
- Emotional overwhelm
- Burnout
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Relationship difficulties
- Perfectionism
- People-pleasing
- Low self-awareness
- Difficulty setting boundaries
- Feeling disconnected from yourself
- Major life transitions
- Grief and loss
- Chronic feelings of tension or restlessness
- Difficulty slowing down or relaxing
- You may simply want to feel more connected to yourself and more comfortable in your own body.
Anxiety isn't just something you think. It can be something you feel. Your mind may be racing while your heart is pounding. Your shoulders may be tense. Your stomach may feel unsettled. You may find yourself scanning for what could go wrong even when everything appears fine.
Somatic therapy can help you notice the physical patterns that accompany anxiety and develop strategies for responding to them.
Rather than trying to eliminate every uncomfortable sensation, therapy can help you build greater awareness, tolerance, and choice in how you respond.
Somatic Therapy and Anxiety
You may then be invited to notice things such as:
"What are you noticing in your body right now?"
"Where do you feel that emotion?"
"What happens when you slow down and notice that sensation?"
"What changes when you take a breath or shift your position?"
"What does your body need at this moment?"
This approach may sound a lot like mindfulness - and it is. Mindfulness can be one component of somatic therapy, but somatic therapy is broader. Somatic approaches may involve awareness of physical sensations, emotions, nervous-system responses, movement, boundaries, relational experiences, and patterns that occur in the body. Your therapist may incorporate mindfulness practices when they are helpful, but the goal is not simply to teach you how to meditate. The focus is on developing greater awareness of your whole experience.
Additionally, somatic therapy is a broad term that encompasses several different therapeutic approaches, and the research base varies depending on the specific method being used. At Stillpoint, our therapists approach somatic work thoughtfully and within the scope of their education, training, and clinical expertise. Your therapist can explain the specific approach they use, why they believe it may be helpful for you, and how it fits into your overall treatment plan. Somatic approaches may also be integrated with established therapeutic approaches when appropriate. Always you remain in control of the process and treatment planning is collaborative. Somatic therapy should not require you to perform movements, disclose experiences you aren't ready to discuss, or push through overwhelming sensations. Your therapist will help you find an appropriate pace and level of awareness based on your individual needs.
Somatic therapy may be a good fit if you:
- Feel like you understand your problems intellectually but still feel stuck
- Experience strong physical responses to stress
- Have difficulty identifying what you're feeling
- Feel disconnected from your body
- Frequently feel overwhelmed or overstimulated
- Struggle with anxiety or chronic stress
- Have difficulty regulating emotions
- Want to understand your nervous-system responses
- Are working through trauma or difficult life experiences
- Want to develop a deeper connection with yourself
- Want therapy that incorporates both emotional and physical awareness
At Stillpoint Counseling & Wellness, we believe therapy is about the whole person. Your thoughts matter. Your emotions matter. Your relationships matter. And your body matters, too. Our goal is to create a space where you can slow down, become more aware of yourself, and develop new ways of relating to your emotions, your body, and your life.
Somatic Therapy at StillPoint
Find a Somatic Therapist in Wilmington, NC
Finding the right therapist is an important part of the process. If you're interested in somatic therapy, our team can help connect you with a therapist who has training and experience in body-centered or somatic approaches and whose style feels like a good fit for you.
Stillpoint Counseling & Wellness offers in person therapy in Wilmington, NC, as well as telehealth for eligible clients throughout North Carolina.
You don't need to know exactly what to ask for. You can simply tell us what you're experiencing, and we'll help you determine where to begin.
Call our office for a free phone consultation or request an appointment through our secure online portal.
