Somatic Therapy

Our experiences don't only affect our thoughts and emotions—they can also show up in the body. You may notice tension, a racing heart, changes in your breathing, restlessness, numbness, or a sense of unease without always understanding where these responses are coming from.

Somatic approaches bring attention to these physical experiences and can help us better understand what your body may be communicating. This can be especially helpful when emotions or experiences are difficult to put into words.

In therapy, we may use somatic techniques to help you:

• Notice physical sensations and changes in your body
• Recognize how emotions and stress show up physically
• Develop greater awareness of your body's signals and responses
• Identify what helps your nervous system feel more settled
• Connect physical experiences with thoughts, emotions, and patterns
• Build greater awareness of your needs and boundaries
• Develop practical strategies for grounding and regulation

Somatic work involves gently bringing awareness to what you are noticing physically in the moment and explore how it connects with your emotions, thoughts, and experiences.

This might include noticing your breathing, muscle tension, sensations, impulses, or shifts in your body as we talk about something meaningful. We may also use grounding, movement, breathing, or other regulation strategies when helpful.

At Northern Sky Psychotherapy, somatic techniques are incorporated as one part of an integrative approach, rather than used as a standalone treatment. The goal is to help you develop a greater understanding of the connection between your mind and body and become more attuned to what you are experiencing.