If you’ve recently started addiction treatment, you may be exploring different types of therapies to find the best fit for your recovery journey. One approach that stands out for its effectiveness in addressing trauma is a somatic experiencing therapy program. This method helps people process and release trauma stored in the body, supporting emotional and physical healing.
Somatic experiencing therapy is based on the idea that trauma is not just a psychological experience but also a physiological one. Working with bodily sensations rather than thoughts and emotions helps regulate the nervous system and restore a sense of safety and balance.
How Does Somatic Experiencing Therapy Work?
Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on verbal processing, somatic experiencing therapy helps people reconnect with their bodies. Trauma often leaves people feeling disconnected from physical sensations, making it difficult to regulate emotions. Somatic therapy addresses this by guiding clients through body awareness exercises, controlled movement, and breathing techniques to release stored stress and tension.
A trained therapist will help you tune into bodily sensations linked to past trauma in a safe and controlled way. Through this process, the nervous system gradually learns to regulate itself, reducing symptoms like anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.
Somatic Therapy vs. Somatic Experiencing
If you’ve been researching body-based approaches to healing, you might have come across the term “somatic therapy.” While somatic therapy is a broad field that includes various body-centered techniques, somatic therapy vs. somatic experiencing involves key differences.
- Somatic therapy – This is an umbrella term that includes approaches like yoga therapy, breathwork, and body-focused mindfulness practices.
- Somatic experiencing therapy – A specific therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine, focusing on resolving trauma by gradually discharging pent-up survival energy in the nervous system.
Both approaches can be valuable, but if you’re dealing with trauma and addiction, somatic experiencing therapy offers a structured and research-backed method for long-term healing.
The Connection Between Trauma and Addiction
Many struggling with addiction have experienced trauma, whether from childhood experiences, relationships, or life events. Unresolved trauma can contribute to substance use as a way to numb emotional pain. However, addressing trauma directly through therapies for addiction, such as somatic experiencing therapy, can help break this cycle.
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+18442884672 By healing the nervous system and restoring a sense of safety in the body, somatic experiencing therapy reduces the need for coping mechanisms like drugs or alcohol. This can lead to deeper emotional resilience and a stronger foundation for lasting recovery.
Benefits of Somatic Experiencing Therapy in Addiction Treatment
If you’re considering somatic experiencing therapy as part of your recovery, here are some of the key benefits:
- Regulates the nervous system – Helps calm the fight-or-flight response, reducing anxiety and stress
- Enhances emotional awareness – Encourages a deeper connection with emotions and bodily sensations
- Reduces triggers and cravings – By addressing underlying trauma, the need for self-medication decreases
- Improves physical health – Many clients experience relief from chronic pain, fatigue, and other physical symptoms linked to trauma
- Supports long-term recovery – Builds emotional resilience and healthy coping strategies for sustained sobriety
Finding Somatic Experiencing Therapy Near You
If you’re looking for somatic experiencing therapy near you, Discover Recovery offers this innovative approach as part of our comprehensive addiction treatment programs. Whether you’re in detox, residential care, or transitioning into aftercare, integrating somatic experiencing therapy into your treatment plan can enhance your healing process.
At Discover Recovery, we understand that addiction is complex and often rooted in trauma. That’s why we provide a range of therapies, including somatic experiencing therapy, to help you heal on every level. Our expert team is here to support you with individualized care, ensuring that your treatment addresses both addiction and any underlying trauma.
Call Today to Take the Next Step in Your Healing Journey
Recovery is more than just breaking free from substance use—it’s about reclaiming your life, healing from past wounds, and building a future you’re proud of. If you’re ready to explore the benefits of somatic experiencing therapy and other evidence-based approaches, Discover Recovery is here to help.
Contact us today at [Direct] to learn more about our programs and how we can support your journey to lasting wellness. Find your strength. Discover your path.
