When people think of trauma, they often focus on thoughts or memories. But trauma doesn’t just live in the mind—it lives in the body. It shows up in the form of tension, numbness, hypervigilance, or a sense of disconnection from ourselves. This is why body-based therapy can be such a powerful part of healing.
The body remembers—even when the mind doesn’t
You might not have a clear memory of a traumatic experience, but your body might still respond as if danger is present. This could look like shutting down when someone raises their voice, bracing when someone gets too close, or feeling exhausted after doing something that seems simple.
These are not signs of weakness. They’re signs of your body doing its best to protect you—long after the threat has passed.
**Why talk therapy isn’t always enough**
Traditional talk therapy can be incredibly helpful, but for many trauma survivors, it doesn’t always reach the deeper layers where trauma is held. That’s where somatic therapies come in.
Approaches like the Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM), EMDR, and parts work help bring awareness to what’s happening in the body—without overwhelming it. They allow us to notice sensations, shift nervous system states, and slowly build capacity to feel safe in our bodies again.
**Safety first, always**
In trauma work, we don’t dive in—we start by building safety and stability. This might mean learning how to ground, how to find a “calm place” inside, or how to recognize when your body is beginning to dysregulate.
This kind of work is gentle. It’s about listening, attuning, and allowing your body to guide the pace.
**Healing is about reconnection**
The goal of somatic trauma therapy isn’t to get rid of symptoms—it’s to reconnect with yourself in a way that feels safe and empowering. As you learn to listen to your body, you may notice more clarity, more energy, and more trust in yourself.
Your body is not the enemy. It’s the part of you that’s been trying to keep you safe all along.
If you’re curious about body-based trauma therapy or want to explore what it might look like for you, I’d be honored to walk with you in that process.
