Somatic Therapy for Trauma

Introduction to Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy is an exciting and helpful approach to healing that focuses on the connection between our bodies and minds. It combines physical and psychological techniques to support overall well-being. This type of therapy is especially important for people dealing with trauma, as it addresses issues that traditional talk therapy may not fully resolve.

What is Somatic Therapy?

At its core, somatic therapy is a body-centered approach. This means it looks at how our physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts are all connected. For example, when we feel anxious, we might notice tightness in our chest, stomach, or shoulders. Somatic therapy helps us become more aware of these bodily sensations and teaches us how to use them to promote healing.

In somatic therapy, therapists guide clients through various techniques to explore their feelings and physical sensations. This can include deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, and gentle movement. By paying attention to our bodies, we can better understand our emotions and experiences, leading to a more holistic healing process.

Why is Somatic Therapy Important for Trauma?

Trauma can leave deep emotional scars that are often hard to express with words alone. Many people find that traditional talk therapy doesn’t always reach the root of their pain. This is where somatic therapy shines. It offers a different way to process trauma by focusing on the physical aspects of our experiences.

When we experience trauma, our bodies can hold onto the stress and energy from those events. Somatic therapy helps to release this trapped energy, allowing individuals to move forward in their healing journey. By exploring how trauma manifests physically, clients can learn to self-regulate their emotions and gain a sense of control over their bodies and feelings.

Somatic therapy is a valuable tool for anyone looking to heal from trauma. It emphasizes the mind-body connection and offers techniques that can lead to profound healing.

Session Structure and Techniques

In the first session we will collaborate to understand your needs and goals by beginning with a conversation about your feelings and experiences.

As you progress, you might engage in various activities that focus on both your mind and body. through these activities, which can include movement, breath-work, or even guided imagery. The key is to be open to the experience and communicate with your therapist about what feels right for you.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

Introduction to CPT

Cognitive Processing Therapy — or CPT — is a type of talk therapy developed specifically to help people recover from trauma, PTSD, and the lasting emotional pain that can follow difficult experiences.

What is CPT?

When something traumatic happens, our minds often try to make sense of it in ways that get us stuck. We tell ourselves things like "it was my fault," "I should have done something," or "the world is completely unsafe." These thoughts — sometimes called "stuck points" — can quietly shape how we feel and how we live, even years later.

CPT helps you identify those stuck points, examine them with curiosity rather than judgment, and gradually replace them with more balanced, realistic ways of thinking. You don't have to relive every detail of what happened — the focus is on how trauma is affecting your life right now, and how to change that.

What to Expect:

CPT is a structured therapy completed in 12–16 sessions (roughly 3–4 months).

1. Learning about trauma & CPT — Understanding how trauma affects thoughts and feelings.

2. Finding your stuck points — Identifying beliefs around blame, safety, power, or trust.

3. Examining and challenging those beliefs — Using structured written exercises to look at beliefs from different angles.

4. Building a new perspective — Developing more balanced, compassionate ways of thinking.

CPT involves written practice assignments between sessions. The skills you build become yours to keep, long after therapy ends.

Is CPT Right for Me?

CPT has been proven to help the following survivors: PTSD · Trauma recovery · Sexual assault · Combat trauma · Childhood abuse · Grief & loss · Depression · Anxiety

CPT works especially well for those who appreciate having a clear roadmap and concrete tools. You don't need to feel "ready" to talk about everything that happened — CPT focuses more on how you've been thinking about the trauma than on recounting every detail.