What is Somatic Bodywork?
It is a form of body centered therapy that focuses on the living experience of embodiment. The term, “somatic” comes from the greek word “body”.
There are different schools that teach various approaches to Somatic Bodywork. Some of them are: The Hakomi Institute, The Upledger Institute, The Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, and Peter Levines’ the Trauma Healing School.
In my past experience of studying Hakomi, SER Therapy, and Trauma Therapy at SPI, I have learned Somatic techniques with both psychotherapists and also bodyworkers. The boundaries are a bit tricky from both ends due to licensing in each state around touch and therapy. Generally, manual Bodyworkers use somatic-emotional type of therapy to support any type of emotional or spiritual arising that occurs while working with the body primarily within a session. On the other hand, psychotherapists focus on the mind body relationship more from a distance. Yet each state has different laws that must be checked to keep within the license of practice.
Hakomi uses mindfulness as its key to developmental issues and to “heal attachment wounds”. At SPI, my training was more directed toward supporting any type of trauma that shows up on the table in a session. While I have not studied the SE Work, my understanding is that is similar to SPI’s focus on trauma.
Basically, what we are working with is an emotional response to distressing events. Some call this cellular memory. It is usually something that has not processed all the way through,
All of these modalities, help to release stress, tension and sometimes trauma from the body. I tend to focus most of my work on the table with gentle Craniosacral Somato-Emotional presence. When something deep or painful arises while I am melded with the person’s body, I may delve into my other techniques to help my clients come to their own deeper inner resources for completion. Often the healing response comes from sensing within. Working from a bottom of approach can help to integrate things that are not as available as in only talk therapy.
Remember, that if you are looking for a therapist to help you to heal deeply, that most programs and schools teach us to create a safe and trusting environment first and foremost. Still, it is important to interview and ask your therapist about their experience and backgrounds. Find the person who fits your needs best. All therapist have unique approaches.
Somatic Therapy is very helpful because it integrates the mind and body beautifully.
If you have any questions, contact me, and I offer free 10 minute phone sessions.
Sharon Hartnett CST-D
703 509-1792
www.craniosacraltherapistcolumbus.com
6797 N. High #333 Worthington, Ohio 43085
