Emotion and Somatic Focused Therapy

Isn’t therapy just talking about feelings anyways? - maybe you wouldn’t be surprised, but this isn’t the case. In fact it takes skill and the development of emotional awareness and processing skills to be able to know what are feelings are enough to even be able to talk about them. And then there’s the impact that emotions have on our physical bodies. In fact that’s a big part of what emotions are - physical sensations produced by our nerves and hormone systems that our brain then assigns meaning to.

Needless to say, assigning that meaning and then talking about our emotional life is usually easier said than done, both in and out of the therapy room. And I know this. But being able to listen to and speak to our emotions and the needs they represent, at least with ourselves, if not with those in our life, is essential for our mental and physical well being.

That’s why I am trained in and practice the following two types of therapy:

Emotion Focused Therapy -

For many of us, especially if we have trauma histories, big or small, or were raised in families or environments where emotions weren’t talked about, acknowledged or responded to with care, attention and understanding (and that’s a lot of us) - we likely have a confused at best and more often a painful relationship with our emotions. Instead of providing the insight and instructions they are meant to, emotions instead become source of discomfort, rejection, complication and frustration.

But this isn’t what emotions are meant to be for us! I offer Emotion Focused Therapy, that blends practices and understanding from neuroscience, mindfulness, DBT, EFT, and self-compassion work to help you better understand your emotions, accept them as a helpful and fundamental part of your biology, and learn how to respond to and work with them so that they become an asset to your life instead of a hindrance.

Emotions are a function of our nervous system, just the same as the need to sleep or eat. We don’t have a choice but to have them, so why not better equip yourself to understand and work with them in a way that supports a fuller, more intentional life.

When we can respond to our emotions with understanding and acceptance, this changes the patterning of our brain - allowing us to still access rational thoughts, planning and our sense of self, even when we are feeling the most uncomfortable emotions like shame or guilt or regret. This means our emotions become a part of who we are, but stop running the show. Then our goals, values and visions for our life can take centre stage as the guiding force of who we are.

This approach involves a blend of coaching, in session tracking, safetying + experiential learning and outside of session self-practice.

This therapy is effective and supportive for struggles with anxiety, depression, PTSD and trauma, as well as an important part of healing from narcissistic injury and emotional abuse and abandonment issues.

Somatic Therapy -

Do the physical symptoms of your anxiety and trauma reactions (racing heart, short shallow breathing, sweaty palms, flashbacks, hypervigilance), or the fatigue, lethargy and heaviness associated with your depression + burnout make it seem like talking or thinking your way through your struggles might never be enough?

There’s a reason for this - and you’re right. It often isn’t enough, because talking isn’t the whole picture.

If our mind isn’t supported by a safe, reliable home (our bodies) in which to grow and explore the world life, becomes very painful and small. Somatic Focused Therapy is grounded in the principle of mind-body interconnection, and has the goal of helping us intentionally regulate (have influence over) our physical bodies and nervous system for increased experiences of calm and wellbeing, or motivation and strength - whatever it is you are needing more of for your full wellbeing picture.

My approach to somatic therapy is informed by practices and training from sensorimotor therapy, mindfulness, yoga, and self-compassion as well as the clinical teachings of Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Gabor Mate, and Dr. Janina Fischer. This therapeutic modality involves a combination of in session somatic coaching and learning, distress tolerance and acceptance work (both in and out of session), trigger and automatic threat response identification, grounding and mindfulness skill building. and ultimately the chance to relearn a supported, nurtured relationship with your whole self.

Somatic Therapy is an effective and important approach for anxiety treatment, depression, supported trauma reaction recovery, substance misuse recovery and is often used combination with Emotion Focused Therapy.

Questions about these practices are always welcome, or if this sounds like an approach you’d benefit from let’s connect!