Somatic Counselling in Squamish: How Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Can Help in the Processing of Trauma

Unlike other life experiences, trauma is stored in the body. When we experience a traumatic event, two things happen simultaneously. First, our animal reflexes are activated. This means that we experience either a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn state. At the same time, our prefrontal cortex (or the cognitive center of our brain) goes offline and we dissociate. The result is that when we try to recall a traumatic experience, the memory may feel disjointed, fuzzy, or confusing. More importantly, the trauma memory often expresses itself somatically (in the body) through a variety of symptoms that can be triggered by neutral-seeming events. This is because when we are faced with a situation that reminds us of the trauma on some level, although our rational self may recognize that we are not in danger, our brain reacts as though there is real and present danger just like when the original trauma occured. People who have experienced trauma may experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. They may also experience physical symptoms such as chronic pain or fatigue.

To help individuals heal from trauma, counsellors use a variety of somatic approaches, including sensorimotor psychotherapy. As a trained sensorimotor psychotherapist, I help individuals to access their body's sensations and memories to process their trauma in a safe environment. Through this approach, individuals can learn to recognize patterns of physical discomfort that are related to their traumatic experiences and can start to address them more effectively.

If you are looking to begin your self-growth journey, I would love to work with you to help you live your most authentic life. As a registered clinical counsellor (RCC) trained in somatic therapy, I offer counselling services both virtually and in Squamish, BC. For more information, visit www.wildpathwellness.com