About Somatic Psychotherapy
Regulate, Restore & Reconnect with somatic awareness New York
You can spend years talking about your pain—or you can begin to listen to the language of your body
Somatic therapy offers a clinically grounded, body-centered approach to treating trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress. By working directly with the nervous system, this method helps clients access lasting change beyond cognitive insight alone. For professionals, creatives, and high-functioning individuals in NYC, somatic therapy provides a structured path to greater emotional regulation, embodied resilience, and improved mind-body integration. When the body is part of the conversation, healing becomes more sustainable—and more complete.
New York City, with its fast-paced lifestyle, can often lead to mental health challenges as a result of heightened stress. Somatic therapy offers an opportunity for individuals seeking a holistic approach to address their psychological well-being. Somatic therapy is grounded in the belief that the mind and body are one and that physical movement can significantly impact emotional health and healing. Somatic practices employ techniques such as relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, EMDR therapy, and physical movement to help individuals reduce stress, release tension, and improve all aspects of physical and mental health.
what are the benefits of working with the body?
Working with a somatic therapist offers unique benefits that go beyond the cognitive focus of traditional talk therapy. Somatic therapy centers on the mind-body connection, recognizing that trauma, stress, and emotional wounds are often stored in the body. This approach helps individuals release physical tension, emotional blocks, and unprocessed trauma through techniques such as breathwork, body awareness, and gentle movement. Unlike talk therapy, which primarily addresses mental and verbal processing, somatic therapy encourages clients to tune into their physical sensations and explore how these sensations are tied to emotional experiences. As a result, it can offer a deeper, more holistic healing process by integrating both physical and emotional release, promoting long-term relief from anxiety, trauma, and chronic stress. This mind-body connection can often lead to more profound and lasting shifts in emotional well-being, helping clients to feel more grounded, connected, and empowered in their daily lives.
Healing Trauma Through The Wisdom Of The Body
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-centered therapeutic approach that helps you heal from trauma, anxiety, and chronic stress by restoring balance to your nervous system.
Developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, Somatic Experiencing is grounded in the understanding that trauma is not only psychological—it is also physiological. When we experience threat, the body’s natural survival responses—fight, flight, or freeze—can become interrupted or stuck. Over time, this stored survival energy may manifest as tension, anxiety, dissociation, chronic pain, or emotional numbness.
SE gently helps you reconnect with your body’s innate capacity for regulation, safety, and self-healing. By working through the body—not just the mind—you can resolve the lingering effects of trauma and reestablish a felt sense of calm, vitality, and wholeness.
What Is Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing is a gentle, non-invasive, trauma-resolution method that focuses on bodily sensations as a gateway to emotional healing. It helps clients notice and release patterns of tension, immobility, or hyperarousal that were once protective but now cause distress.
Rooted in Polyvagal Theory, SE works directly with the autonomic nervous system to help you shift out of states of survival and return to states of safety, connection, and presence. Rather than retelling the trauma story, therapy centers on tracking sensations—the subtle cues and rhythms of your body that reflect how energy moves through your system.
This approach allows for healing without retraumatization. Through gentle awareness and gradual pacing, the body learns that the threat is over—and the nervous system begins to reset.
Who Somatic Experiencing Is For
Somatic Experiencing is for anyone who feels that traditional talk therapy hasn’t reached the roots of their pain. It’s especially beneficial for individuals who sense that their symptoms are “in the body,” even when they can’t put words to them.
You may benefit from SE if you:
Feel chronically tense, on edge, or disconnected from your body
Experience symptoms of anxiety, panic, or hypervigilance
Have a history of trauma, neglect, or overwhelming stress
Struggle with emotional numbness, dissociation, or fatigue
Are recovering from medical trauma, accidents, or injuries
Experience digestive issues, headaches, or pain related to stress
Have difficulty relaxing, trusting, or feeling present in relationships
Want to reconnect with a sense of safety, vitality, and embodiment
Somatic Experiencing is ideal for clients who are seeking a gentler, body-based approach—one that honors the nervous system’s pace and avoids the overwhelm that can accompany more cognitive or exposure-based therapies.
How Somatic Experiencing Works
Somatic Experiencing helps you develop awareness of the body’s natural rhythms and sensations through gentle, guided attention. This process unfolds gradually and at a pace your system can tolerate. Key principles include:
Titration — Approaching trauma in small, manageable doses so the body is never overwhelmed.
Pendulation — Gently moving between sensations of safety and discomfort, helping the nervous system expand its capacity for regulation.
Tracking Sensations — Learning to observe subtle bodily cues such as warmth, tingling, or release, which signal the body’s innate healing responses.
Resourcing and Grounding — Building internal and external anchors of safety, such as breath awareness, sensory connection, or supportive memories.
Trauma Completion — Supporting the body in releasing stored energy from incomplete fight, flight, or freeze responses, allowing for closure and integration.
Each session is collaborative and mindful, emphasizing containment, safety, and self-compassion. The therapist’s role is to help you attune to what your body is communicating, guiding you toward balance without forcing or rushing the process.
Conditions And Symptoms Somatic Experiencing Can Help With
Somatic Experiencing is widely used to address both psychological and physical symptoms related to trauma and stress. It can help with:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression and chronic low mood
Dissociation, numbing, or emotional shutdown
Sleep disturbances and fatigue
Chronic pain or somatic tension
Digestive problems or headaches linked to stress
Grief and loss
Relationship trauma and attachment wounds
Recovery from surgery, injury, or medical procedures
Burnout and nervous system dysregulation
Because SE works with the body’s natural mechanisms of repair, clients often experience relief not just emotionally, but physically—feeling calmer, lighter, and more at ease in their bodies and relationships.
The Benefits Of Somatic Experiencing
Emotional Benefits
Relief from anxiety, tension, and hyperarousal
Greater emotional regulation and stability
Freedom from reliving trauma or feeling stuck in the past
Physical Benefits
Reduced muscle tension and pain
Improved sleep, digestion, and energy
A stronger felt sense of safety and grounding in the body
Psychological Benefits
Increased self-awareness and resilience
Renewed vitality, presence, and clarity
A deeper sense of peace, confidence, and connection
Somatic Experiencing helps you rebuild trust in your body and in life. Over time, you begin to experience yourself not as fragile or damaged, but as adaptable, whole, and capable of self-regulation and repair.
Life After Somatic Experiencing With Holistic Psychotherapy NY
Clients who complete somatic work often describe a quiet but profound transformation—a sense of coming home to themselves. They feel more alive in their bodies, more connected in relationships, and more capable of meeting life’s challenges with steadiness and grace.
After SE, daily stressors become easier to navigate. Emotional triggers soften, sleep improves, and the body’s natural vitality begins to return. Many clients find that the benefits of this work extend beyond healing trauma—it also enhances creativity, intuition, and an overall sense of well-being.
Healing through Somatic Experiencing is not about revisiting pain—it’s about restoring balance, presence, and the freedom to live fully in your own body.
A Virtual, Integrative Approach
At Holistic Psychotherapy NY, Somatic Experiencing is offered virtually throughout New York State and is often integrated with EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Attachment-Based Therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions.
Each session is attuned to the unique needs of your nervous system, combining trauma-informed safety with relational depth and clinical expertise. This is a space to slow down, reconnect with your inner rhythms, and remember that healing doesn’t come from trying harder—it comes from listening, sensing, and allowing your body to lead the way.
Somatic therapy to improve your emotional and physical health…
Somatic therapy can significantly improve both your mental and physical health by addressing the deep connection between the mind and body. Here are some key ways it can benefit you:
Reduced Stress and Anxiety - By focusing on body awareness, somatic therapy helps you recognize and release physical tension associated with stress and anxiety. Techniques like breathwork and grounding exercises allow you to stay present, reducing the intensity of anxiety and promoting a calmer, more balanced emotional state.
Trauma Release - Trauma is often stored in the body, and somatic therapy allows you to process and release these stored emotional experiences. Through gentle movement, touch, or body scans, you can access and heal trauma that may not be fully accessible through traditional talk therapy alone.
Improved Emotional Regulation - Somatic therapy helps you become more attuned to your physical sensations, enabling you to better understand and regulate your emotions. This increased self-awareness can lead to better emotional control, reducing mood swings, irritability, or emotional reactivity.
Increased Energy and Vitality - When your body is free from tension and emotional blockages, you may experience a boost in energy and vitality. Somatic practices encourage the body to return to a state of balance, improving overall well-being and promoting a sense of physical aliveness.
Pain Relief and Improved Posture - Chronic pain or physical discomfort often stems from emotional or psychological issues. By addressing these root causes, somatic therapy can help reduce chronic pain, improve posture, and enhance your physical flexibility, leading to a more comfortable and pain-free life.
Enhanced Mind-Body Connection - Through somatic therapy, you learn to listen to your body more intuitively. This stronger mind-body connection helps you better manage stress, make healthier lifestyle choices, and foster a deeper sense of inner peace and well-being.
Overall, somatic therapy helps you heal on a holistic level by integrating mental and physical health, fostering long-lasting improvements in both emotional resilience and physical well-being.
is somatic therapy similar to energy psychology?
Yes, somatic psychotherapy shares some similarities with energy psychology, but they are distinct approaches. Both modalities emphasize the connection between the mind and body, and both aim to help individuals release emotional blockages, trauma, and stress that can manifest physically. Energy psychology, which includes techniques like Thought Field Therapy (TFT) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), specifically targets the body's energy systems, often using tapping or other methods to address emotional disturbances by stimulating acupuncture points or meridians. The focus is on balancing the body’s energy to facilitate emotional healing.
On the other hand, somatic psychotherapy focuses more on bodily awareness, using techniques such as breathwork, body movement, and mindfulness to help individuals process emotions and trauma that are held in the body. While both approaches aim to release stored emotional trauma, somatic psychotherapy does not directly manipulate the body's energy systems but instead encourages individuals to become more attuned to their bodily sensations to facilitate healing.
Somatic psychotherapy is a good fit for the following challenges:
Somatic psychotherapy is particularly effective for individuals dealing with a range of physical and emotional challenges, especially when these issues are rooted in or exacerbated by stress, trauma, or chronic tension. Some common challenges that are a good fit for somatic psychotherapy include:
Trauma and PTSD - Somatic psychotherapy helps individuals process trauma that may be stored in the body, such as tension, pain, or tightness, which often manifests from unresolved emotional experiences.
Anxiety and Panic Disorders - Physical symptoms of anxiety, like shallow breathing or muscle tightness, can be addressed through somatic techniques that help regulate the nervous system and reduce overwhelming feelings.
Chronic Pain - For those dealing with unexplained or persistent physical pain, somatic psychotherapy can help uncover emotional or psychological causes behind the discomfort, while teaching strategies for pain management through body awareness.
Depression - Individuals with depression often experience a sense of heaviness or disconnect from their bodies. Somatic psychotherapy helps reconnect them with their bodily sensations, promoting mindfulness and a more integrated emotional experience.
Stress and Burnout - High-stress levels can manifest in physical tension and fatigue. Somatic psychotherapy offers tools to release that tension and help manage stress more effectively, restoring balance and energy.
Relationship Issues - Unresolved emotions, often stored in the body, can affect personal relationships. Somatic therapy can help individuals recognize and release patterns that may be affecting communication or emotional connection.
Self-Esteem and Body Image Issues - Somatic psychotherapy encourages a healthier relationship with one's body, helping individuals address negative self-perceptions or insecurities that are physically and emotionally manifest.
Sleep Disorders - Physical tension and stress can contribute to difficulties falling or staying asleep. Somatic techniques help regulate the nervous system and promote relaxation, improving sleep patterns.
Dissociation and Fragmented Self - Individuals who have experienced trauma may feel disconnected from their bodies or have difficulty staying present. Somatic psychotherapy helps them reintegrate body awareness, promoting grounding and helping them reconnect with their physical and emotional selves.
Somatic Symptoms Without Clear Medical Cause - Sometimes, emotional distress manifests as physical symptoms such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues, or unexplained pain. Somatic psychotherapy can help individuals uncover and release the emotional underpinnings of these symptoms.
Attachment Issues - Those with insecure attachment styles (e.g., anxious or avoidant) may have trouble with emotional regulation and intimacy. Somatic psychotherapy can help individuals feel safer in their bodies and develop healthier emotional responses in relationships.
Sexual Trauma and Dysfunction - Somatic therapy is particularly helpful for individuals who have experienced sexual trauma or struggle with sexual dysfunction. It addresses the body’s memory of trauma, helping individuals reclaim their bodily autonomy, heal from past experiences, and restore a healthy relationship with their sexuality.
Phobias and Fear Responses - Somatic psychotherapy can assist in addressing the physical manifestation of phobias, such as muscle tension, panic attacks, or heart palpitations. By working with the body’s sensations, clients can release these fears and responses in a grounded and controlled way.
Post-Surgical Recovery or Physical Rehabilitation - Individuals recovering from surgery or injury may experience emotional and physical stagnation. Somatic psychotherapy can support the healing process by addressing body awareness, emotional trauma related to the injury, and encouraging physical movement to restore the body’s full range of motion.
Perfectionism and Overworking - Those struggling with perfectionism or chronic overworking may carry tension in their bodies, especially in the form of tight shoulders, jaw clenching, or other areas of stress. Somatic psychotherapy can help release these patterns, promote relaxation, and encourage a more balanced approach to work and self-expectations.
Grief and Loss - The body often holds the emotional weight of grief, manifesting as fatigue, tightness, or even physical pain. Somatic psychotherapy helps individuals process grief by acknowledging and releasing the physical sensations tied to loss, making it easier to move through the emotional experience.
Addiction Recovery - Somatic therapy can be a valuable part of addiction recovery, as it helps individuals reconnect with their bodies and emotions in a healthier way. It addresses the physical cravings, emotional triggers, and bodily responses that can drive addictive behaviors.
About somatic Therapy NYC
This practice provides a range of psychological & wellness services in NYC and throughout NY state. The goal is to individualize treatment to your unique physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. I have experience working with a broad range of symptoms and approaches in psychotherapy, including but not limited to EMDR Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Holistic Mind-Body Medicine. Therapy begins with a therapeutic consultation, where you will gather a wealth of information about your difficulties. Many people feel better after the first session. The initial consultation also lays the groundwork for future treatment as we determine the best modalities to help you heal.
Somatic Awareness Therapist With Nearly 20 Years Of Experience
This practice offers supportive, compassionate, and comprehensive care, staying current on research related to mental health. My goal is to use my expertise and extensive training to get you back to living your life as quickly as possible.
Book An Appointment For Somatic Therapy NYC Today
Book an appointment directly or text 212-529-8292 to get started. Integrative Psychotherapy & Wellness Manhattan can help you with your healing journey guiding you towards optimal mental health.