What on Earth Is somatic Psychotherapy? – 5 Life-Changing Experiences You’ll Have

Wondering what on Earth is Somatic Psychotherapy?

Here are 5 life-changing experiences you’ll have when you give it a try!

Somatic therapy is based on a simple yet powerful truth – our bodies remember. Science confirms that memories and emotions aren’t just stored in our minds, but deep within our cells. 

That’s why anxiety can show up even when our thoughts seem calm, and why certain places or seasons stir something inside us, even when we can’t quite explain it.

Getting to the Root

Have you ever tried telling yourself, “I am enough” in the mirror, only to feel nothing change?

That’s because 

deep-seated beliefs don’t begin in the mind alone; they are formed through experience and live in the body. 

To truly shift them, we need to engage the body as well.

Somatic therapy allows us to access these stored patterns and gently create new experiences that bring lasting change. It works in ways that are subtle but powerful, meeting us on multiple levels: thoughts, emotions, sensations, and movement.

Here’s what you’ll experience in a somatic therapy session:

1. Learning to Listen to Your Body:

For a long time, you may have been moving through life like a head floating above a body, barely noticing it’s there. 

Here you’ll begin by becoming more aware of what’s happening below your neck. Where do you feel tension? Where do you feel ease? Noticing these patterns helps you understand what brings you safety and what causes stress. By bringing awareness to the body, you’ll create space for healing to unfold naturally.

2. Feeling Safe Again:

Before jumping into the deep end, we start with building a sense of safety. Think of it like finding your cozy corner in a big, busy world, whether it’s a real place, a favorite memory, or even one you make up. The goal is to help your body recognize what feeling safe actually feels like, so it knows where to return when things get tough.

3. Exploring with Curiosity:

Think of your emotions and memories like a box of crayons—you might be used to using just a few colors, but there are so many more inside. Somatic therapy gently helps you discover the full spectrum of what you hold inside. Through guided explorations, you might express your inner critic in a playful way or use objects to represent different parts of yourself. These explorations help bring hidden patterns to the surface, where they can shift and heal.

4. Moving Through What’s Stuck:
When emotions and tough experiences don’t get a chance to move through, they stick around in your nervous system like unopened emails. Movement, whether it’s a big stretch or a tiny shift, helps your body finally hit “send” and let that stuff go.

For example, if you often feel the urge to shrink and disappear in certain situations, you might explore what it’s like to actually let your body shrink in a safe space. Maybe your shoulders hunch, your breath gets shallow, and a thought pops up—If I make myself small, I’m safe from criticism. 

As you stay with this, a memory might surface of when you first learned this way of being, most likely in a situation where it wasn’t safe for you to express yourself. 

By allowing the body to move through it, you create the possibility for something new: perhaps standing taller, breathing deeper, feeling safe in being seen.

5. Practicing Boundaries:

Boundaries are like your personal bubble—super important for feeling safe and solid in the world. 

In somatic therapy, we get curious about what happens in your body when you need to say no or stand your ground. Does something freeze up? Do you get a little squirmy? Maybe a voice in your head says, “Nope, not allowed!” We explore all of that, so you can start setting boundaries with more ease.

Through gentle experiments, we practice using words like yes, no, stop, and maybe—not just as words, but as felt experiences. You’ll also explore how to use your body, your hands, posture, and breath, to communicate your boundaries with confidence.

The Most Precious Part

Somatic therapy isn’t just about processing pain; it’s also about learning how to fully embrace life

It helps us notice what’s good, what feels right, and how our past experiences have shaped us into the person we are today.

The tools you gain through somatic therapy aren’t just for healing. They’re tools for living, helping you move through life with more ease, confidence, and joy.

Read More: Healing from the body up with somatic approach

Take a Moment…

Pause for a second and notice how reading this made you feel. Did something resonate? Maybe a sense of curiosity, or perhaps some doubt about whether this could work for you? Whatever is present, just notice.

If this speaks to you and you’re looking for support, I’d love to connect. I offer somatic therapy sessions both in person (Luxembourg) and online. You can schedule a free consultation here: Silvija Zagar (Somatic Therapy) in 7374 Bofferdange | Doctena

Let’s explore what healing could feel like for you.