What Is Somatic Therapy? Benefits for Trauma and Anxiety
When you’ve been through trauma or live with ongoing anxiety, it can feel like your body has turned against you. Racing thoughts, shallow breathing, muscle tension, or even dizziness show up at the worst times. Many people try to “think” their way out of these experiences, only to feel frustrated when the body doesn’t respond.
This is where somatic therapy comes in. Somatic simply means “of the body.” Unlike traditional talk therapy that focuses mainly on thoughts and beliefs, somatic therapy works with the nervous system and the body itself. It helps people release stored stress and reconnect with a sense of safety.
As a therapist in Denver specializing in somatic therapy for trauma and anxiety, I’ve seen how powerful this approach can be. Clients often describe it as finally making sense of why their body reacts the way it does, and discovering tools to feel more grounded in daily life.
How Somatic Therapy Works
Your body and mind aren’t separate. When you feel anxious, it isn’t just “in your head.” Your nervous system is sending signals throughout your body. You may notice sweaty palms, a pounding heart, or the urge to escape a situation. These are natural stress responses (fight, flight, freeze, or fawn).
Somatic therapy helps bring gentle awareness to these patterns. In a session, you might notice where tension lives in your body, learn to slow your breath, or practice grounding exercises. Over time, this retrains the nervous system so you can respond to stress with more flexibility instead of automatically shutting down or spiraling.
Somatic Therapy vs. Traditional Talk Therapy
Talk therapy focuses on processing thoughts, memories, and beliefs. Somatic therapy includes the body in that process. For many people with trauma, words alone aren’t enough. The body holds on to experiences long after the mind has tried to move on.
Somatic therapy gives you a way to safely release this stored energy so that healing isn’t just intellectual, but felt in the body.
Benefits of Somatic Therapy for Trauma
Trauma leaves a lasting imprint on the nervous system. You may notice hypervigilance, difficulty relaxing, or feeling on edge even in safe situations. Somatic therapy supports trauma recovery by:
Helping you reconnect with your body in safe and gradual ways
Reducing chronic tension and hyperarousal
Allowing old experiences to move through instead of staying “stuck”
Building resilience and a sense of safety that lasts beyond therapy
Clients often say they feel lighter, calmer, and more present after sessions. This isn’t because they’ve forced themselves to “move on,” but because their body finally gets to experience regulation.
Benefits for Anxiety and Stress
Somatic therapy isn’t only for trauma. It’s also highly effective for anxiety and stress. Many people come in with symptoms like:
Racing heart or shortness of breath
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Muscle tightness in the chest, shoulders, or stomach
Feeling disconnected or “spaced out”
By working directly with these physical symptoms, somatic therapy helps calm the body so the mind follows. You learn how to regulate in the moment, which decreases panic and restores a sense of control.
What to Expect in a Somatic Therapy Session
If you’ve never tried body-based therapy before, it’s normal to feel unsure about what will happen. Sessions are gentle, collaborative, and always move at your pace. You will not be asked to relive your trauma or push past your comfort zone.
Instead, you can expect:
A calming environment where you feel safe and supported
Invitations to notice body sensations (like warmth, tension, or breath)
Simple practices for grounding and calming your system
Space to talk, reflect, and integrate what you experience
Every session is different because every body is different. Some days you may spend more time talking, other days more time practicing somatic tools.
Who Is Somatic Therapy For?
Somatic therapy can benefit anyone, but it’s especially helpful if you:
Live with the effects of trauma or PTSD
Experience chronic anxiety, panic, or stress
Struggle with physical symptoms of anxiety (dizziness, racing heart, etc.)
Feel “stuck in your head” and disconnected from your body
Want a deeper, more integrated approach to healing
You don’t need to have experienced a major trauma to benefit. Many people use somatic therapy as a way to reduce daily stress, reconnect with themselves, and improve emotional balance.
Finding Somatic Therapy in Denver
If you’re looking for somatic therapy in Denver or prefer online sessions across Colorado, you have options. Many therapists are trained in somatic approaches, though styles and methods can vary.
When choosing a therapist, you may want to ask:
How do you integrate somatic practices into sessions?
What experience do you have working with trauma and anxiety?
Do you combine somatic therapy with other modalities, like IFS or CBT?
Finding the right fit matters. Somatic therapy works best when you feel safe with your therapist and open to exploring at your own pace.
At my practice, I specialize in somatic therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and trauma-informed care. My goal is to help you reconnect with your body, reduce anxiety, and feel more grounded in daily life.
Take the Next Step
If you’re curious about whether somatic therapy is right for you, I’d love to connect. I offer online therapy across Colorado.
Book a free 15-minute consultation here to learn more and see if we’re a good fit.
Healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.