I am currently undertaking a Somatic Trauma Therapy Course, this holistic approach can be integrated into our work together.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a trauma-informed, body-based approach that supports healing by gently working with the connection between the mind and the body. It recognises that trauma can affect the whole person — not just thoughts and emotions, but also the nervous system and the body itself.
This approach brings together physical, emotional, and psychological elements to help process and release trauma in a safe and paced way. Somatic therapy can be especially helpful for the physical tension, emotional overwhelm, and sense of disconnection that often follow traumatic experiences. Rather than focusing on retelling distressing events, the work centres on listening to the body and responding to what it needs in the moment.
In somatic therapy, the body is the starting point for healing. You are supported to develop awareness of your internal sensations and to build a sense of safety and stability within your body while gently exploring thoughts, emotions, and memories linked to trauma.
With guidance, you’ll learn to notice and track physical sensations, using simple and supportive exercises to help regulate the nervous system. This can increase your capacity to stay present with strong emotions without becoming overwhelmed.
A key part of this work involves understanding how the nervous system responds to threat and safety. As you become more curious and compassionate towards your body’s responses, experiences that once felt confusing or distressing can begin to make more sense. Somatic therapy also empowers you with practical tools that you can use outside of sessions, supporting ongoing regulation and helping you feel more grounded, resilient, and supported in your day-to-day life.
'Trauma gets trapped in the body, hijacking the nervous system; Somatic experience helps release this by focusing on bodily sensations to gently complete natural fight/flight/freeze responses, guiding people from overwhelm to a state of safety and regulation by accessing resources and allowing stored energy to discharge, thereby healing the physical and emotional symptoms'. Peter Levine, developer of Somatic Trauma Therapy.
Get in touch
To find out more information, or make a booking at my East Kilbride location, please contact me at nicola@newlife-counselling.co.uk.
You can also call me on +44 7810382769 if you would prefer to leave a message or speak to me first. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential.