What is the therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-centred approach to mental health that combines talk therapy with physical awareness and movement. Rooted in the belief that trauma and emotional stress are stored in the body—not just the mind—somatic therapy helps people reconnect with their physical sensations to release tension, regulate emotions, and promote long-term healing.
Rather than simply discussing your problems, somatic therapy involves noticing how emotions show up in your body and learning how to shift, soothe, and transform them through breath, posture, and movement.
The Science Behind It
The body’s nervous system plays a key role in how we process trauma and stress. When we experience overwhelming events, the body may store that stress as muscle tension, chronic pain, or fight-or-flight responses long after the event is over.
It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body shift out of chronic survival mode. This allows clients to process trauma more safely and gently than through cognitive approaches alone.
Trauma can be devastating to so many and there are many ways to combat it but is for you? Read more to find out.
Who is It For?
Somatic therapy is beneficial for people who:
- Have experienced trauma, PTSD, or chronic stress
- Feel emotionally “numb” or disconnected from their body
- Struggle with anxiety, depression, or burnout
- Experience chronic tension, fatigue, or somatic pain
- Find traditional talk therapy overwhelming or ineffective
Techniques Used in Somatic Therapy
1. Body Scanning
- Becoming aware of tension, numbness, or energy in different areas of the body
2. Breathwork
- Using breath to calm the nervous system, energise the body, or release held emotions
3. Grounding Exercises
- Techniques that help clients feel safe and anchored in the present moment
4. Movement and Gesture
- Using posture, shaking, or stretching to release trauma and rewire body memory
5. Touch (with consent)
- Light therapeutic touch may be used to aid somatic awareness and healing
6. Titration and Pendulation
- Slowly dipping into difficult feelings and returning to safety—building capacity without overwhelm
Popular Forms of Somatic Therapy
- Somatic Experiencing® (SE) – Developed by Dr. Peter Levine to gently release trauma held in the body
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy – Combines cognitive therapy with physical awareness
- Hakomi Method – Mindfulness-based body psychotherapy
- TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) – Involves shaking movements to discharge tension
- Have you ever heard of any of these above?
Somatic Therapy vs Traditional Talk Therapy
| Feature | Somatic Therapy | Talk Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Body sensations, movement, nervous system | Thoughts, beliefs, behavioural patterns |
| Ideal for | Trauma, stress, dissociation, anxiety | Depression, grief, cognitive patterns |
| Approach | Bottom-up (body to brain) | Top-down (brain to body) |
Many people benefit from a combination of both.
How to Find a Somatic Therapist in the UK
- UKCP Directory – Search for body psychotherapists and somatic practitioners
- BACP Find a Therapist – Use filters for trauma-informed or somatic-based approaches
- Private Clinics – Many trauma-specialised centres include somatic therapy
- Wellness centres – Yoga and breathwork therapists may also offer somatic integration
Look for someone trained in recognised modalities (e.g., Somatic Experiencing®) with experience in trauma-sensitive care. Ensure you find the right coach as this can be very crucial in correcting onself.
Final Thoughts: Reconnect, Release, and Restore
Somatic therapy reminds us that healing isn’t just about thinking differently—it’s about feeling differently in your body. Whether you’re healing from trauma or seeking to feel more grounded and alive, somatic therapy offers a gentle, powerful path to transformation.
You are not just a brain. Your body holds wisdom—and it deserves a voice in your healing.
For ADHD-aware therapy, trauma support, and holistic coaching, subscribe to our newsletter and visit adhdtribe.co.uk.
Meta Title:
Somatic Therapy UK: What It Is, How It Works, and Who It Helps
Meta Description:
Explore how somatic therapy heals trauma through body awareness, movement, and nervous system regulation. Learn the techniques, benefits, and how to find a therapist in the UK.
Tags:
somatic therapy, somatic healing UK, trauma release therapy, body-based therapy, nervous system healing, breathwork trauma, ADHD somatic therapy, therapy for stored trauma, somatic experiencing UK, trauma-informed care
Just wish to say your article is as surprising The clearness in your post is just cool and i could assume youre an expert on this subject Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work
Yes sure