HOW CAN SOMATIC THERAPY / COACHING HELP?

We are largely influenced by the work of Dr. Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing Tr auma Therapy Boulder). Levine noticed that wild animals don’t experience traumatic stress (only humans and domesticated animals do)! For example, if a rabbit is almost eaten in a field, it doesn’t begin to avoid fields, self-isolate, develop tics, or become depressed. So, what is it that rabbits do that we don’t do? Well, they know how to follow and complete their nervous system cycles, while we humans have trained ourselves out of many natural responses, like shaking, fighting back, or running away. Think about it: if your body wants to run away from your threatening boss, your brain is most likely going to stop you, because there would be unwanted consequences of that action. Wild animals don’t have to override their instincts. In one sense, this has lead to amazing developments in human culture; in another sense, it has left us with a slew of nervous system issues that somatic therapy works wonderfully to treat.

So what can we do? Do we have to go live in the woods? Fortunately, somatic psychotherapy offers ways we can work with our nervous systems that are safe, contained, and allowing. We can invite the body to tell us its needs, desires, and unfinished business, and then we can finish it!