Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Therapy
What is a somatic therapist? And what is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy is like tuning into your body’s radio station to figure out what it’s trying to tell you. Instead of just talking about stress, you actually feel where it lives in your body and work through it with movement and mindfulness. It’s like giving your mind a break by letting your body do the talking and the healing.
What are the benefits of somatic therapy in Los Angeles?
Somatic therapy helps with anxiety, trauma, burnout, emotional overwhelm, and chronic stress. It helps you regulate your nervous system so you can respond to life, not just react. In LA, where everything moves fast and expectations are high, it’s a powerful way to come back to yourself.
What does a somatic therapist do?
A somatic therapist guides you through body-based techniques to notice and process what's happening in your nervous system. This could include breathwork, movement, tracking sensations, or simply noticing where tension shows up. It’s all about learning how to feel safe in your body again.
What is the mind-body connection?
The mind and body aren’t separate — your body reacts to every thought and feeling you have. That’s why trauma or anxiety can show up as stomach issues, tension, restlessness, or numbness. Somatic therapy taps into that connection to help you actually shift it.
What is the difference between a somatic practitioner and a therapist?
A somatic therapist is a licensed mental health professional who integrates somatic work into psychotherapy. A somatic practitioner may not be licensed in mental health and may focus more on bodywork, movement, or alternative healing practices. Both can be helpful, but they serve different purposes.
Is somatic therapy in Los Angeles worth it? Is it legitimate?
Absolutely. Somatic therapy is evidence-informed and used by trauma experts worldwide. If you’ve hit a wall with talk therapy or feel stuck in patterns you “understand” but can’t shift — this work can move the needle. It’s not woo-woo. It’s nervous system science meets real emotional healing.
What is somatic therapy known for?
Somatic therapy is known for helping people recover from trauma, regulate anxiety, reduce chronic stress, and reconnect with their body. It’s especially effective for people who are always in their heads, feel disconnected, or experience anxiety that doesn’t respond to logic alone.
Are there any somatic therapy books that you recommend?
Yes. A few favorites: “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk, “Waking the Tiger” by Peter Levine, and “Anchored” by Deb Dana. These books are great if you want to learn more about how the nervous system, trauma, and healing are all connected.
What are some examples of the differences between somatic therapy and talk therapy?
In talk therapy, you might say “I feel anxious,” and explore why. In somatic therapy, we also explore what that anxiety feels like physically — tight chest? clenched jaw? — and work with it directly. It’s less about analyzing and more about experiencing and releasing.
What if I’ve already tried somatic therapy near me and it didn’t help?
Not all somatic therapy is the same. Sometimes it’s about timing. Sometimes the approach didn’t feel right. I use a blend of somatic techniques, trauma-informed care, and nervous system education — all at your pace. We figure out what works for *you* — no forced techniques or pressure.
What are somatic therapy exercises — and what do they look like in your sessions?
They’re subtle but powerful. You might track a sensation, follow your breath, notice where you feel grounded or activated, or explore a memory with body awareness. There’s no “doing it right.” The work meets you exactly where you are — anxious, numb, activated, or frozen — and helps you move toward safety and regulation.
