Who benefits from somatic therapy?

Who benefits from somatic therapy? - by Eva Rustad

Note

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Info@bemerk.nu

Somatic therapy is for those of you who can feel that your body is saying something that words can't quite keep up with. Perhaps you've already talked about your challenges before, but find that restlessness, tension or inner pressure keeps coming up.

In this post, you will get a simple and concrete overview of who somatic therapy typically helps, what signs you can look for, and why it makes sense to include the body in your process.

If you want to dive straight into what a process might look like, you can read more about somatic therapy at Note.

What is somatic therapy – in plain language?

Somatic therapy is a body-oriented form of therapy that works with the connection between body and mind. It is based on the fact that experiences, stress and trauma not only affect your thoughts and feelings, but can also manifest as tension, anxiety and automatic reactions in the nervous system.

Instead of only talking about the difficult, somatic therapy focuses on:

  • Body sensations such as chest tightness, stomach discomfort, lump in the throat.

  • Nervous system reactions – for example, fighting, fleeing or “freezing”.

  • Small, manageable steps that help the body release trapped stress and shock.

The goal is for you to feel more calm, more in touch with yourself and a body that is not constantly on alert.

At Bemerk we treat based on The TRE® method, which is the somatic method that Eva Rustad is certified in. TRE® stands for Trauma Release Exercises. Call and find out more. about somatic therapy.

Signs that somatic therapy may be relevant for you

You don't need to have a "major trauma" or a diagnosis to benefit from somatic therapy. Many people seek this type of therapy because something in their body keeps making noise - even if life looks fine on paper.

Typical signs may be:

  • You feel overworked or "on edge" most of the time, even when there is actually peace around you.

  • You have difficulty falling asleep, sleep poorly, or wake up restless.

  • You experience muscle tension, stomach problems, headaches or other symptoms that worsen during stressful periods.

  • You experience anxiety, restlessness, feelings of panic or sudden outbursts of emotion that may seem out of proportion.

  • You may feel numb, “empty,” or disconnected—like you’re not fully present in your own life.

  • You've been in talk therapy before, but your body still reacts as if it's stuck in something old.

If you can recognize any of this, somatic therapy can help you go a layer deeper than “just” understanding what’s going on.

Who typically seeks somatic therapy: People with trauma and difficult experiences

Somatic therapy is designed to work gently with shock and trauma – both single events and long-term, stressful processes. These can include accidents, illness, bullying, violence, abuse, sudden loss or other situations where you have felt overwhelmed and powerless.

The focus here is not on retelling the trauma in detail over and over again, but on helping the body to quietly release the reactions that were necessary at the time.

People with stress and burnout

Long-term stress is clearly felt in the body: heart palpitations, sleep problems, fatigue, short temper and difficulty concentrating. Many describe it as having an “inner engine” that cannot be turned off – even when they have time off.

Somatic therapy can support you in:

  • Learn more about your body's stress signals

  • Practice concrete ways to find calm and ground the nervous system

  • Reestablishing contact with needs, boundaries and breaks

In this way, you are not only working to change behavior, but to actually create more peace within.

People with anxiety and restlessness

Anxiety is not just something that happens in the mind – it manifests itself very concretely in the body: shortness of breath, shaking, palpitations, dizziness, tightness in the chest. It can be anything from generalized anxiety and social anxiety to panic attacks and worry that takes up most of the day.

In somatic therapy you work with:

  • Detecting early physical signs of anxiety

  • To regulate and calm the nervous system while it happens

  • Distinguishing between what is happening here and now and what are old reaction patterns

It can give you an experience of being in your body again – instead of fighting it.

People with depression, emptiness and low energy

Depression and depressive tendencies can feel both heavy and empty: a lack of energy, desire, motivation and joy. For some, sadness takes up a lot of space, while others mostly feel a sense of distance from themselves and others.

Somatic therapy can:

  • Help you to feel small flashes of energy and joy in your body again

  • Create more contact with emotions without becoming overwhelmed

  • Support you in feeling yourself amidst the demands of everyday life

It can be a slow but sustainable way to rebuild inner contact and zest for life.

People with chronic pain and unexplained symptoms

When the body has been under pressure for a long time, the nervous system can become extra sensitive, and pain can become more prevalent. Many with chronic pain find that the pain is related to stress levels, emotional stress, and historical experiences.

Somatic therapy is not about “imagining” that the pain does not exist, but about:

  • Teach the nervous system to calm down more

  • Create more flexibility in your body and in your reactions

  • Reduce the extra layer of alarm and tension surrounding the pain

For some it means less pain; for others it means more freedom in everyday life, even when the pain is there.

People with difficult relationships, boundaries and self-image

Many people feel their challenges most clearly in relationships: in relationships, in family, at work or in friendships. It can be about having difficulty saying yes and no, being easily triggered, or feeling wrong and ashamed in contact with others.

Somatic therapy can help you to:

  • Discovering how your body reacts in contact with others

  • To feel your boundaries and needs more clearly

  • Practicing new ways of being present that feel safer

It can give you a calmer and more solid sense of yourself – even when you are close to others.

Why choose a body-oriented approach?

Talk therapy can be very supportive, and for many it is an important part of their process. However, some find that they can understand their patterns with their heads, but that their bodies continue to react as they always have.

Somatic therapy is particularly relevant if:

  • You repeat the same reactions even though you know they don't help you.

  • You feel your body “getting worked up” even when you try to think calmly.

  • You long for a more holistic way of working with yourself

By involving the body, it becomes possible to create changes that are not only decisions, but can also be felt as genuine security and new freedom of action in everyday life.

If you want to read more about what a course might look like in practice, you can do so here: somatic therapy.

Is somatic therapy for you?

You don't need to be sure before you take the first step. A good starting point is to ask yourself:

  • Do I feel that my body is under more pressure than I like?

  • Do I keep reacting in ways I don't fully understand?

  • Can I feel a curiosity to listen to my body more – even if it may feel a little new?

If the answer is just a cautious yes to any of that, somatic therapy may be worth exploring further. Many find that the combination of respectful contact, slow pace, and focus on the body makes it possible to heal in a way that lasts over time.

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