Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between mind and body, including physical sensations, movement, and breathing, to process emotional experiences. At Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, in Abilene, Texas, licensed professional counselor Eva Foster, LPC, offers this therapy to ease stress, anxiety, and past trauma. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.

What is somatic therapy?

Somatic therapy at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, explores how your body expresses painful experiences. It’s a form of mental health counseling that applies mind-body healing to support recovery after trauma. It’s similar to other mind-body approaches, like meditation, mindfulness, self-compassion, and mind-body stress reduction.

Somatic therapy focuses on how your emotions affect your body. It discovers ways traumatic experiences or unresolved emotions can affect your physical health and mental well-being. 

Which conditions does somatic therapy address?

Somatic therapy at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, eliminates bothersome emotions and reduces pain caused by stress in people struggling with:

• Grief
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Trust and/or intimacy concerns
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Low self-esteem
• Stress-related muscle tension
• Physical aches and pains

Somatic therapy can ease pain in your jaw, neck, shoulders, and back caused by trauma or stress.

Which symptoms indicate a need for somatic therapy?

Eva discusses your medical history, past trauma, moods, emotions, behaviors, and more to learn which mental health disorder you might have and how to best treat it. Symptoms of trauma-related mental health concerns include:

• Anxiety, mood swings, or depression
• Distress
• Always being on guard
• Intrusive thoughts related to past trauma
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Getting startled easily
• Guilt or shame
• Avoiding situations linked to trauma
• Constant fear and worry
• Memory loss surrounding a traumatic event
• Negative thoughts
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
• Hypervigilance (being over-cautious)
• Destructive or reckless behavior patterns
• Substance misuse
• Feeling detached from other people
• Loss of interest in favorite activities
• Irritability
• Angry outbursts

In addition to somatic therapy, Eva offers cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapy, person-centered therapy, LGBTQ+ affirming therapy, veterans counseling, and more. You might be a candidate for more than one type of therapy to achieve your mental health and wellness goals.

What can I expect during somatic therapy?

During somatic therapy at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, your body begins to heal. Eva helps you become more aware of your bodily sensations and feel safe in your body while you explore memories, thoughts, and emotions.

Somatic therapy helps you relieve tension by focusing on bodily sensations. You’ll release harmful emotions using mind-body techniques, including acupressure, gentle movement, and/or breathwork. Eva might incorporate additional therapies into your treatment. She follows up to ensure highly effective mental health outcomes, less tension, and peace of mind.

Schedule an evaluation with Eva at Overwatch Counseling, PLLC, by phone or request one online today to take advantage of calming somatic therapy.