How Somatic Therapy Can Help With Attachment Issues
By Antoinette Peterson
Somatic therapy is a lesser known but emerging technique used in therapy, which centers upon the connection between mind and body and uses psychotherapy, physical techniques, and mind-body exercises to help clients resolve emotional issues. Somatic therapy can assist those suffering from anxiety, PTSD, grief, depression, self-esteem issues, and numerous other mental and physical conditions. In this blog post, we will learn more about the benefits of somatic therapy, particularly for clients experiencing attachment issues.
Difficult emotions can show up in our bodies in ways that feel physically debilitating, and the goal of somatic therapy is to remove power from these feelings and eliminate the physical manifestations of these emotions. For example, anxiety can often lead to tension in muscles, causing pain in ones’ neck, jaw, or even back. In a somatic therapy session, the body will be the starting point to achieving healing, with the practitioner helping a client to focus on their body, and perhaps reliving memories of past experiences to observe any physical responses an individual might have to those thoughts. The therapist will then help you release these emotions through various mind-body techniques which could include deep breathing, relaxation exercises, and meditation.
Somatic Therapy and Attachment Issues
Somatic therapy can be especially helpful when talk therapy has reached its limit for a patient. By developing awareness of the mind-body connection, somatic therapy can release the difficult emotions that may lie pent up in one’s body from past experiences.This comprehensive, holistic approach to healing can be particularly useful for clients experiencing attachment issues. One’s attachment styles and anxieties are primarily shaped by the relationships they have with a primary caregiver throughout childhood. Therefore, those who have experienced emotional or physical abuse, neglect, childhood trauma, or inconsistent care from a parent may be more prone to experiencing difficulties in establishing secure attachments as an adult.
Somatic therapy not only aids in releasing some of these traumas, it also helps enhance an individual’s emotional regulation. The various techniques used in somatic therapy can help ground those experiencing attachment issues, allowing them to be more present, reduce anxiety, and foster a sense of calm. These skills are critical for people with attachment anxiety, as they can help with increased feelings of stability and safety. Finally, somatic therapy can help clients experiencing attachment issues release body-held trauma and tension through heightened awareness. This can support an individual’s overall well-being, as it allows them to more effectively process complicated emotions.
How New Perspective Counseling Can Help
At New Perspective Counseling, we offer individual therapy with one of our therapists to provide you with a safe, supportive space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. With the guidance of a caring, licensed and experienced therapist, you can work through difficulties, gain insights, and develop strategies to lead a more fulfilling and balanced life.
If you are interested in somatic experiencing and attachment therapy, consider reaching out to our Therapist Kelly O’Brien, LMSW. Kelly’s approach is grounded in attachment therapy, and she works with clients to help them feel safe and connected with themselves, others, and their sense of purpose. Her work is trauma informed, and she integrates somatic experiencing and attachment therapy in sessions.
