Somatic Therapy in McKinney, Texas
Therapy that nurtures the connection between mind + body.
What does somatic mean?
"Somatics" comes from the Greek word “Soma” meaning “the living body known from within”, or known to the Self. With this, we can understand that somatic work is an experiential approach towards mind/body integration, or a remembrance of the connection between these two that have in fact always been there. Somatic psychology is known as a “bottom up” approach as opposed to a “top-down” model, which means that we literally use the body as a guide in our experience of of mind/body healing.
If you find that you’re always living in your head, chances are, your body may have a lot it’s been wanting to say too!
Somatic psychotherapy techniques that work through the lens of the nervous system to holistically tend to trauma, chronic illness, relational challenges, emotional distress and overwhelm.
Our bodies are brilliant, our bodies are intelligent, our bodies are intentional.. and they are always working in an effort to protect us.
We have a brilliant system within our body called the Autonomic Nervous System and it is responsible for so many of our automatic processes, like digestion, heart rate and more. It's also our self protective system that constantly perceives, stores and responds to all of our lived experiences.
When we experience stressors or traumatic events that are too much for our system to cope with, our beautiful brilliant nervous system will come to our aid to keep us safe. It’s the response that our body then gets to take or not make that makes trauma traumatic, and sometimes our body remains in these interrupted states of self protection for much longer than it needs to.
This is when we can begin to experience things like chronic distress, anxiety, chronic illness, emotional challenges and more.
What is Somatic Psychotherapy?
DEEP IN OUR CELLS LIES THE SUBCONSCIOUS LANGUAGE OF OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM. A PRIMAL, SENSITIVE AND NEUROPLASTIC NETWORK OF SENSORY COMMUNICATION. OFTEN IGNORED AND SCREAMING AT US TO BE HEARD.
Somatic psychotherapy focuses on how emotional distress and trauma are stored in the body as physical tension or sensations. Unlike traditional talk therapy, somatic therapy works with the body’s responses to emotions, helping you release stored tension, regulate the nervous system, and address the root causes of emotional issues.
By using somatic techniques, we help you process emotions, reduce anxiety, and cultivate a sense of calm and groundedness. This approach allows you to achieve deeper emotional healing and balance.
Somatic Therapy Techniques We Use
Body Awareness: Identify where stress and emotional tension are felt in the body.
Breathing Techniques: Deep, conscious breathing to trigger the body's relaxation response.
Grounding Exercises: Practical tools to stay present and reduce overwhelm during stress.
Gentle Movement: Light, mindful movements to release bodily tension and increase awareness.
Somatic Resourcing: Using calming memories to anchor your emotional state in moments of distress.
Nervous System Regulation Through Somatic Therapy
A core aspect of somatic therapy is nervous system regulation. Our bodies are wired to respond to stress through fight-or-flight reactions, but when we experience chronic stress, these responses can become overactive. Somatic psychotherapy works by helping you calm the nervous system and return to a state of safety and balance.
Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Therapy
Polyvagal Theory explains how the vagus nerve influences our emotional state and stress responses. Through somatic therapy, we help you understand how your body’s nervous system reacts under stress and use somatic techniques to return to a regulated state of calm and connection.
Benefits of Somatic Psychotherapy
Somatic psychotherapy helps you achieve:
Improved Emotional Regulation: Learn to manage overwhelming emotions with body-based techniques.
Trauma Recovery: Release stored trauma and stress from the body and mind.
Increased Self-Awareness: Better understand your emotional triggers and bodily sensations.
Better Stress Management: Learn practical tools to handle anxiety, stress, and emotional overload.
Mind-Body Connection: Strengthen your awareness of the mind-body connection to build resilience.
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Psychotherapy?
Somatic psychotherapy is beneficial for individuals facing challenges such as:
Anxiety and Stress
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Emotional Regulation
Chronic Pain and Tension
Relationship Difficulties
Life Transitions
Whether you're struggling with chronic anxiety, stress, or trauma recovery, somatic psychotherapy can help you address the root causes of your emotional and physical symptoms.
Get Started with Somatic Psychotherapy in McKinney, Texas
If you're seeking a holistic and effective approach to therapy, somatic psychotherapy might be the right choice for you. At Acadia Psychotherapy & Associates, we offer a compassionate, individualized approach to therapy that focuses on nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, and emotional healing.
Invest In Yourself
Your body holds the key to a life of wellness.
Let us help you unlock its potential.Call us today to schedule your first appointment online or in person and explore how somatic psychotherapy can support your mental and emotional health. We offer flexible appointment times, both online and in-person counseling options in McKinney, Texas, and accept Aetna insurance as well as self-pay options.
Healing happens when we are met exactly where we are.
Do Somatic Techniques Work?
In this video, we explore how somatic techniques can effectively promote healing by reconnecting the mind and body.
Have more questions? Read our Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Therapy Techniques