The Healing Power of Somatic Therapy: Finding a Trauma Therapist in the Bay Area
The Healing Power of Somatic Therapy: Finding a Trauma Therapist in the Bay Area
Have you just experienced an overwhelming or life-threatening event, an invasive medical treatment, a sudden loss of a beloved, or is your past childhood history of abuse leaving you with challenges in coping or in relationships?
Moving on after any difficult, overwhelming, or life-threatening event such as a fire that burned your home, a car accident, a medical procedure, a sudden loss, or the complexities of ongoing childhood abuse is not easy at all. These experiences can leave one to view others and the world as threatening and to feel anxious, irritable, angry, and vigilant for danger. Or can leave you numb, shut down, depressed, and feeling inadequate and ashamed. You may feel irritable with, reactive to, or disconnected from your loved ones. You may experience intrusive memories, images, and thoughts from your experiences. You sometimes may feel that different “parts of you” are showing up or responding to current situations which may not be your desired response or outcome.
If you've experienced the effects of trauma, you might already know how deeply it can impact your mind AND body. Trauma lives in the body and the emotional centers of the brain. Trauma isn’t about what type of event you experienced nor does it just live in our thoughts or memories; it settles into our nervous system, often showing up in ways we don’t fully understand. It may be experienced as chronic stress, tension in the body, or a sense of disconnection from ourselves and others.
It can be overwhelming to know what type of treatment would be most effective for YOU? Is it EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Hakomi, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Processing Therapy-to name a few. So many choices….so many good options. It’s overwhelming.
Since trauma lives in the body, this is where Somatic Therapy comes in.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy recognizes that our emotions and experiences don’t just affect our minds—they live in our bodies. Have you ever felt your shoulders tighten during a stressful meeting or your stomach churn before a difficult conversation? These physical reactions are your body’s way of processing emotional stress.
In somatic therapy, you’ll work with a trauma therapist to gently explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations in the body, 5 sense perception, and movement impulses.. Techniques might include:
Breathwork, Centering, or Grounding practices to calm the nervous system.
Spinal Alignment and Movement to increase arousal and improve mood.
Supporting Movement Impulses or adding Touch with Permission to help process stored trauma.
Connecting Newly Discovered Beliefs with a Body-felt Sense to bring an expanded sense of self, empowerment, and integration
Why Trauma Lives in the Body?
When we experience trauma, our higher brain function centers “go offline” and our nervous systems go into “survival mode” which may exhibit as an attached cry for help, fight, flight, freeze, or submit/collapse. These defenses help protect us and help us to survive but can remain turned on even after the danger has passed. Our nervous systems may get stuck in states of high arousal/ hyperarousal or low arousal/hypoarousal. The goal is to return to an optimal arousal state or “window of tolerance.”
Over time, this constant activation can lead to:
Chronic pain or tension.
Digestive issues.
Sleep problems.
Emotional numbness or overreaction.
What Makes Somatic Therapy Unique?
If you’ve tried traditional talking therapy and felt like something was missing, you’re not alone. Many people who’ve experienced trauma say, “I understand what happened, but I still feel stuck.” That’s because trauma doesn’t just live in our thoughts—it lives in our bodies.
Somatic therapy bridges the gap by addressing the physical and emotional aspects of healing. By including your body in the conversation, this approach creates a more comprehensive and lasting recovery.
Somatic therapy focuses on the body; the focus is on the present moment; change happens by noticing the present moment experience versus talking about the past or the future.
What is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy? A type of Somatic Therapy?
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is a mindful, body-based talking therapy. It is a phase-oriented approach: 1) creating safety and nervous system regulation through somatic and creative resources; 2) trauma processing through the body whether from an acute incident or series of complex events; 3) addressing relational effects and limiting beliefs that have developed from developmental experiences or attachment trauma.
SP understands that the body is an important source of wisdom that can guide the resourcing, accessing, and processing of challenging, traumatic, and developmental experiences. It is a holistic approach that incorporates somatic, emotional, and cognitive processing and integration.
See https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/about/ for a further description of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and FAQs.
The Benefits of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?
Whether you’re dealing with recent trauma or events from years ago, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) offers a range of benefits:
Deeper Emotional Awareness
SP helps you tune into emotions that may be hard to access through words alone. Sometimes our bodies reveal what our minds can’t put into language.Reduced Stress and Anxiety
By calming the nervous system and releasing tension, SP can significantly reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.Improved Mood
Through body awareness, somatic resources, and creating boundaries, SP can move you into an optimal arousal state; allow you to think and feel at the same time; and help you feel more empowered.Improved Relationships
Trauma can make it hard to connect with others. SP helps you to feel safer to connect and helps to discover and shift self-limiting beliefs.A Sense of Wholeness
SP helps you to find your strengths, have more choices, and reclaim missing parts of yourself.
How to Find a Somatic Therapist for Trauma in the Bay Area
There are many skilled trauma therapists in the Bay Area, but finding the right fit is key. Here are some tips to guide your search:
Look for Specialization in Trauma and Somatic Therapy
Not all therapists specialize in trauma or use somatic techniques. Search for professionals who explicitly mention somatic therapy, body-based approaches, or modalities like Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, or Hakomi.Consider Their Approach
Different therapists may use various techniques within somatic therapy. It’s okay to ask about their methods and see if their approach feels right for you.Check Credentials
Ensure your therapist is licensed and has additional training in trauma-informed care or somatic modalities. Many of the above approaches have therapist directories on their websites.Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations
Online directories like Psychology Today or local Bay Area therapist networks can help you find a trauma therapist with positive reviews. You can also ask friends, family, or healthcare providers for recommendations.Trust Your Gut
The connection you feel with your therapist matters. During an initial consultation, notice how you feel in their presence—do you feel safe, heard, and understood?
Take a First Step and Contact a Trauma Therapist in the Bay Area
If you’ve been carrying the weight of trauma and feel ready to explore a new path, somatic therapy might be the missing piece. Healing doesn’t have to be a lonely journey—and you don’t have to wait for things to feel unbearable before seeking help.
The right trauma therapist in the Bay Area can help you rediscover your sense of safety and balance, and find joy and connection again. Your body holds the key to healing, and somatic therapy can help you unlock it.
A Compassionate Somatic Therapist for Trauma in the San Francisco Bay Area is here to help!
I am Michelle, a licensed trauma therapist in the Bay Area providing somatic therapy in-person in San Rafael, CA, and online for California residents. I utilize a somatic therapy called Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, which is a mindful, body-focused trauma therapy.