Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: A Holistic Approach to Treating Trauma

As a psychotherapist, I have seen firsthand the power of sensorimotor psychotherapy to help people heal from trauma. Sensorimotor psychotherapy is a body-centered approach that integrates traditional talk therapy with awareness of the body's sensations, emotions, and movement. This approach helps people to process and integrate traumatic experiences that have been stored in the body, often without their conscious awareness.
The sensorimotor theory of trauma holds that when we experience a traumatic event, our bodies go into a state of fight, flight, or freeze. This is a natural survival response, but it can have lasting effects on our physical and emotional health. If we are unable to fully process and integrate the traumatic experience, it can get stuck in our bodies, causing us to experience symptoms such as anxiety, depression, pain, and dissociation.
Sensorimotor psychotherapy helps people to access and release these stuck emotions and sensations. This is done through a variety of techniques, such as:

• Body awareness exercises: These exercises help people to become more aware of their physical sensations, such as tension, heat, or tightness.
• Imagery work: This involves using images or metaphors to help people access and process traumatic memories.
• Movement therapy: This involves using movement to express emotions and release tension.
• Mindfulness practices: These practices help people to focus on the present moment and to let go of negative thoughts and emotions.

Sensorimotor psychotherapy can be a very effective way to treat trauma. It is a safe and gentle approach that can help people to heal from the inside out.
Here are some of the benefits of sensorimotor psychotherapy for people with trauma:

• It can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and pain.
• It can help to improve sleep and concentration.
• It can help to increase self-awareness and self-regulation.
• It can help to improve relationships.
• It can help to reduce dissociation and flashbacks.
• It can help to promote a sense of safety and well-being.

If you are struggling with trauma, sensorimotor psychotherapy may be a helpful option for you. Please contact me about whether this approach is right for you at cathy.m.blake@gmail.com or (303)464-9803.