Trauma is stored in your body, not just in your mind. Talk therapy gives you a greater awareness of your trauma, but may not be enough on its own to heal the deep rooted wounds. These unhealed wounds may keep us looping through hyperarousal and hypoarousal.

Hyperarousal looks like hyper-vigilance, tense rapid breathing, feeling overwhelmed, increased startle response, intrusive imagery (flashbacks), and more. On the other hand, indicators of hypoarousal include decreased heart rate, difficulty tracking conversations, numbness of emotions, disengagement, reduced physical movement.

Somatic therapy teaches you to recognize when your body has entered one of these states. In somatic therapy we work with your body’s memory, learning what it needs, and strengthening that relationship. Overtime and with practice, you can release the trauma held within your body. In doing so, it will be easier to regulate your nervous system. Having a regulated nervous system is where change, growth, and learning happens.