Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
Holistic Anxiety, Trauma, and Attachment Therapist in Los Angeles
Healing Complex PTSD With Somatic Therapy in Los Angeles
Are you in Los Angeles and struggling with the effects of Complex PTSD? Somatic therapy may help. This blog is my straightforward guide on how somatic therapy works on the body-mind connection, which can lead you on a path to healing and empowerment. Looking for a somatic therapist in LA or exploring different complex PTSD therapy options? You’ve found the right spot.
In this blog, I lay out the five reasons somatic therapy is my top choice when healing complex PTSD. This isn’t just another therapy technique. It’s a proactive journey for those prepared to heal PTSD directly by using strategies that extend well beyond the scope of traditional talk therapy. This therapy is all about engaging with the present and providing you with the tools to actively shape your future. If you’re sorting through the Complex PTSD therapy choices in Los Angeles, I hope this blog leads you in the right direction. I would love to help!
Ready to take control of your healing journey and explore how somatic therapy can transform your life? Don’t let Complex PTSD dictate your future. As a somatic therapist in Los Angeles who specializes in the treatment of Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), I’d love to help guide you on a path to empowerment. Click here to get in touch or schedule your first session. Your journey to healing can start now, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way
Somatic Therapist in Los Angeles Offering Comprehensive Complex PTSD Therapy
1. It tunes into your body’s signals
Listening to your body’s signals is what somatic therapy is all about. It’s a direct way to healing that focuses on understanding what your body communicates during trauma. Many of us may dismiss these signals as just noise or even view them negatively. Yet, this therapy helps you see them as your body giving you valuable information, turning confusion into clear insights. Acknowledging these signs of discomfort is your first step towards taking control – not just surviving.
Learning the language of your body helps you gain a deeper connection with yourself. You start noticing the little things, like how stress tightens your shoulders or anxiety speeds up your heartbeat. These aren’t just random physical sensations. They’re your body calling for attention and care. Somatic therapy equips you with the strategies to not only recognize these cues but also respond in healing ways (rather than responding in mere reactionary ways).
Diving into somatic therapy opens up a conversation with your body that you might have been taught to ignore. With techniques such as breathwork, movement, and mindfulness, I guide you to engage in this dialogue with compassion and curiosity. This shift changes the way you interact with yourself, your body, and with the world. You will find yourself more grounded, connected, and yes, better equipped to navigate life. Let’s listen to what your body is trying to tell you—it has a lot to say, and it’s time we listened!
Somatic Therapy for Complex PTSD in Los Angeles: Alleviating Hyperarousal
2. It reduces hyperarousal
Somatic therapy is my go-to for dialing down hyperarousal in complex PTSD. How? With, practical steps to calm the overactive alerts your body sends out. I will teach you how to lower this internal noise. This approach allows you to find peace in situations that previously felt overwhelming.
Hyperarousal tends to speed everything up, making it hard to catch your breath. In my sessions, I introduce techniques to press pause, helping you navigate life’s challenges without defaulting to high alert. This shift in awareness means your heart rate steadies, your muscles unwind, and deep breaths become the norm. This new state of calm changes not just how you feel inside but also how you interact with the world around you. It brings you out from operating on the sidelines into an active role in your life.
I guide you through the process of regaining peace, actively engaging with your body’s signals instead of being scared or frightened of them. We use mindfulness, movement, and breathing as key tools to retrain how you respond to stress. The result? You’re in the driver’s seat, no longer at the mercy of your body’s alarm system. You become more grounded, ready to face life’s ups and downs with a sense of empowerment.
3. Helps Reconnect the Mind-Body Split
In my work, I use somatic therapy to heal from complex PTSD by bridging the gap between mind and body. This approach goes beyond what traditional talk therapy offers, targeting the physical sensations and emotional experiences that trauma disrupts. I don’t just talk – I actively engage with the body’s signals to shift from pain to empowerment in recovery. With techniques like mindful movement and focused breathing, I lead you to build a stronger mind-body bond.
In our sessions, you’ll learn to see the connection between what your body feels—a racing heart, tension in the jaw—and the emotions these sensations signal. I help you approach these signals not just with curiosity but with compassion, turning them into avenues for emotional insight and healing. My aim? To build an inner dialogue that champions healing and self-empowerment, giving you the tools to confidently guide your recovery.
Adopting somatic therapy brings a dramatic change in how you view and connect with your body. Your body isn’t just a container for trauma but a source of strength and insight. I provide strategies to engage with bodily sensations, promoting a journey of self-discovery and growth. This not only strengthens the mind-body link but also enables you to move beyond trauma into a space of deep self-connection.
4. Processes Trauma Without Reliving It
Somatic therapy excels in treating complex PTSD because it lets you process trauma without reliving those damn nightmares. Healing shouldn’t drag you back through past horrors. I focus on how your body holds onto and responds to trauma, showing you ways to release these memories and reactions without making you recount every detail. This approach is not only gentle. It’s effective, sparing you the added stress often found in traditional talk therapy’s deep dives into traumatic events with no real intention or purpose.
By tuning into your body’s sensations and learning to navigate these cues, you gain insight into your emotional state without having to verbally excavate traumatic experiences. I employ techniques like mindful movement, breath work, and grounding exercises to help release the tension and energy trapped from trauma. These practices empower you to address the roots of your trauma, focusing more on sensation and regulation than on cognitive analysis. It’s a hands-on approach that puts you in control of your healing, engaging your whole being.
The Body’s Role in Healing:
Shifting to process trauma through the body, instead of rehashing the trauma story, transforms the healing journey. You recognize the trauma’s impact on your body and actively work to lessen its grip. This method doesn’t downplay the importance of understanding your trauma. It actually emphasizes healing through bodily awareness and autonomy. As a result, you can move beyond your trauma without getting pulled back into the depths of those memories again and again.
With its body-centric focus, somatic therapy offers a path to healing that’s both compassionate and practical. It acknowledges trauma’s deep effect on your physical self and provides a way to regain safety and normalcy in your body. The real power of this approach lies in its ability to facilitate deep, lasting healing without forcing you to relive the trauma. You will begin to see how the body’s role is not just a vehicle that holds onto pain. You’ll begin to see how the body is a key participant in your recovery.
5. Boosts Self-Regulation Skills
Somatic therapy truly transforms lives, especially when unexpected emotions overwhelm you. It provides strategies to manage your emotions before they become too much. This method enhances your ability to recognize the early signs of emotional turmoil, and address them effectively instead of pushing them down..
We’ll develop self-regulation skills that are necessary for anyone dealing with Complex PTSD. It’s one thing to identify your triggers, but it’s another to have practical strategies to confront them directly. Somatic therapy offers practical exercises that increase your emotional resilience. You’ll use these strategies in the moment, gaining control over your response.
Mastering self-regulation changes everything. It improves your stress management and boosts your confidence in facing life’s challenges. You’ll learn to deal with tough situations with newfound strength. This transformation moves you beyond your traumas into a position of strength.
Somatic therapy does more than offer temporary relief. It creates lasting change. Developing your ability to regulate your emotions and reactions is everything. The journey is challenging, but the outcomes—gaining control over your emotions and directing your life more deliberately—are super rewarding. This path is about taking back your power, and leading the life you choose.
Somatic Therapy For Complex PTSD in LA
Meet Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
I’m Cheryl Groskopf, a somatic therapist in Los Angeles who specializes in anxiety, trauma, Complex PTSD, and attachment insecurities. I focus on the mind-body connection because it is essential for overcoming Complex PTSD. This approach isn’t just an alternative type of therapy. It’s a straightforward path to healing that engages your body and mind in ways traditional talk therapy might miss.
I believe in empowering you to understand and use your body’s signals for healing. With somatic therapy, I offer practical strategies that help you navigate your C-PTSD symptoms. It’s about providing you with the tools to actively shape your recovery and future.
I understand the courage it takes to face your traumas. That’s why I’m committed to supporting you with genuine compassion and a no-nonsense approach. Whether you’re seeking therapy for the first time or looking for effective strategies against Complex PTSD, I’m here to guide you through your healing journey.
Finding peace in Los Angeles may seem difficult, but healing is within reach. I’m here to support your journey toward healing and empowerment, and I’d love to show you how to regain control and move forward with confidence.
Ready to see how somatic therapy can make a difference in your life? Reach out to me. Let’s work together to begin your journey toward healing. I offer free 15-minute consultations to help determine if it’s a good fit!
Specialties
Additional Resources & Referrals
For individuals seeking support with trauma-related addiction and substance use in Los Angeles, here are additional local resources:
Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (LACADA)
Website: lacada.com
What They Offer: Outpatient and residential treatment programs, education, and prevention services for individuals and families dealing with addiction and substance abuse.
Tarzana Treatment Centers
Website: tarzanatc.org
What They Offer: Residential and outpatient treatment, detoxification, mental health services, and education, focusing on a holistic approach to recovery.
The Matrix Institute on Addictions
Website: matrixinstitute.org
What They Offer: Outpatient programs that tackle substance use and related issues.
Sober Living Network
Website: soberhousing.net
What They Offer: A network of certified sober living homes throughout Los Angeles.
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services: Substance Use Treatment Program
Website: didihirsch.org
What They Offer: Group therapy and family support services for those struggling with substance abuse.
