Guest Post | The Power of Somatic Therapy by Vesa

The Power of Somatic Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Trauma Healing and Nervous System Regulation

Guest post by Vesa, Somatic Therapist & Holistic Coach from @selflovesignature

Vesa is a somatic therapist and somatic healing coaching, focusing on bringing you home to love yourself unconditionally, rebalancing your nervous system, and healing 'love wounds' of the past to help you feel ready to attract the love of your life ♥️ Below, she shares what somatic therapy is about, insights on trauma and nervous system regulation, and why somatic therapy is so beneficial to help move forward even when connecting via zoom!

In the world of holistic healing, you will hear a lot about the importance of addressing the mind, body, and spirit. In my experience, when it comes to deep, transformational healing, one modality stands out for its ability to truly bridge the gap between the mind and body: somatic therapy. As a somatic therapist and holistic coach, I’ve seen firsthand how this powerful trauma-healing modality can help people process the root causes of their struggles and become a more secure, regulated and self-loving version of themselves.

Trauma - It's Not Always What You Think!

Trauma is often misunderstood as only referring to major life events like accidents, abuse, or natural disasters. While these events, known as acute trauma, can leave lasting imprints, trauma also includes more subtle, cumulative experiences. Developmental trauma, for instance, arises from unmet emotional needs during childhood, such as a lack of safety, nurturing, or consistent care. Generational trauma is another type, where patterns of unresolved trauma are passed down through families. These forms of trauma can deeply shape our nervous system and emotional patterns, even if they don’t seem as obvious as a singular traumatic event. The truth is, developmental trauma impacts all of us to varying degrees, as we navigate the complexities of human relationships and early life experiences.

What Is Somatic Therapy and Why Is It So Effective?

Somatic therapy is a body-based approach to healing that focuses on regulating the nervous system and processing stored trauma from the body. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which often operates “from the neck up” and centres on verbal processing, somatic therapy works “from the neck down,” engaging the body’s sensations, emotions, and experiences to facilitate healing.

This distinction is super important because trauma and emotional wounds are not stored solely in our minds; they are held within our bodies. You've probably heard of the well known book about trauma healing called "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk, which talks to all of this. Basically, unresolved trauma can manifest as physical tension, chronic stress, emotional dysregulation, or even patterns of self-sabotage in relationships and life. By tapping into the body’s innate wisdom, somatic therapy helps us access, process and release these deeply rooted issues that often cannot be reached through words alone.

Going Beyond Talk Therapy

While talk therapy can be valuable for gaining insights and understanding your experiences, it often falls short when it comes to addressing the root causes of emotional pain and trauma. Somatic therapy bridges this gap by helping you connect with and process the physical sensations and emotions stored in your body.

Here’s a real-life example from my practice to illustrate how somatic therapy can lead to breakthroughs that talk therapy might not:

One of my clients came to me feeling stuck in a cycle of anxious attachment in her relationships. She had done years of talk therapy, yet she couldn’t pinpoint why she felt so insecure when dating. Through somatic therapy, I guided her to tune into the sensations in her body as we explored her emotions. During her first session, she noticed a tightness in her chest and a knot in her stomach when we discussed her fears of abandonment. By staying with those sensations and using somatic techniques, she uncovered a memory from childhood: her parents frequently fighting, which left her feeling unsafe and emotionally neglected (this was developmental trauma).

This insight had never surfaced in talk therapy, but through somatic work, she was able to identify the root cause of her attachment patterns. Together, we transmuted her fears of abandonment, helping her feel more secure and grounded. Today, she approaches dating with a newfound sense of confidence and self-worth, no longer trapped by the subconscious fears that once held her back.

Why Somatic Therapy Must Be Felt to Be Understood

Somatic therapy can be challenging to explain because its true power lies in the experience. It’s not something you can fully grasp through a description alone; it’s a modality that must be felt to be understood. The shifts and healing that occur during a somatic session are deeply personal and often hard to articulate, yet they create profound, lasting change.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve hit a wall with traditional therapy or other healing modalities, or that your progress has been more intellectual than embodied, somatic therapy might be the missing piece for you.

Ready to Experience Somatic Therapy for Yourself?

If you’re curious about how somatic therapy can help you heal from the root cause of your struggles, regulate your emotions, and feel more secure in yourself and your relationships, I’d love to connect with you. Follow me on Instagram @selflovesignature, where I share insights and practices to help you on your healing journey. You can also book a free connection call with me to explore how we can work together 1:1.

Wishing you lots of love as you navigate your healing journey.

Vesa xx

Website https://www.selflovesignature.com/

P. S. If you want to know more about Vesa and what she does, feel free to follow her and explore the art of Somatic Therapy to help you arrive back safely into your mind, with a balanced mind ❤️

Love,

Monique x