Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
Holistic Anxiety, Trauma, and Attachment Therapist in Los Angeles
Online Therapy in Los angeles | 10 Benefits of Somatic Work
Life can throw all kinds of stressors our way, and sometimes it feels like we’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode. But there’s a way to regain control and to feel more grounded and in tune with yourself. Enter somatic therapy in Los Angeles.
Somatic therapy is a legit, body-centered approach to healing that helps you connect the dots between your mind and body. Our bodies hold onto stress and trauma, often manifesting as physical symptoms like muscle tension or digestive issues. By addressing these physical manifestations, somatic therapy helps you regulate your emotions.
In this blog, I’ll dive into how somatic therapy works, and why it’s so effective for emotion regulation and healing. Let’s explore how somatic therapy can help you take charge of your emotions and live a more balanced, grounded life.
Ready to take the next step? Reach out today and let’s start your journey to better mental health.
If You're feeling overwhelmed, somatic therapy can help
1. Reduces Anxiety & Stress
Somatic therapy offers a holistic approach to healing. It focuses on how stress and anxiety manifest physically in your body. By addressing physical symptoms, we can tackle the root causes head-on, providing you with real, LASTING relief.
In somatic therapy, we use practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, and body awareness to help you reconnect with your body. These techniques can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle tension and a racing heart. By calming your body, you naturally calm your mind. This holistic approach is especially effective for those of us living in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of Los Angeles.
Many of my clients have found that somatic therapy not only helps reduce their anxiety and stress, but also equips them with tools to manage these feelings in the long run. Imagine navigating the chaos of LA with a sense of calm and control. That’s the power of somatic therapy. Ready to take the first step toward a calmer, more balanced life? Reach out today and let’s get started!
trauma therapy in LA
2. Alleviates Trauma Symptoms
Trauma can leave deep scars that affect both mind and body, making everyday life a struggle.
One core aspect of somatic therapy is helping clients reconnect with their bodies. Trauma often causes dissociation or numbness to physical sensations, making it hard to process emotions effectively. Through techniques like grounding exercises, body scans, and gentle movement, you become more aware of these sensations and learn to interpret them.
Understanding the role of the vagus nerve in trauma recovery is another aspect of my practice. The vagus nerve is SO crucial for regulating our stress response – and can be influenced by specific exercises to enhance its function. Techniques like deep breathing, humming, and certain yoga poses can stimulate the vagus nerve.
Clients often find that somatic therapy alleviates their trauma symptoms and empowers them with tools to handle future challenges. Imagine moving through life without the heavy burden of past trauma weighing you down.
Benefits of Somatic Therapy for Emotional Regulation
3. Improves Emotional Regulation
When we experience trauma or chronic stress, our bodies hold onto that tension. You might notice it as tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, or that uneasy feeling in your gut. Somatic therapy helps you tune into those physical sensations and release them. It’s like giving your body a chance to let out a big, long sigh of relief.
Becoming more attuned to your body’s signals gives you the awareness that improves emotion regulation. When you can recognize the physical signs of stress or anxiety early on, you can take steps to calm yourself before those emotions spiral out of control.
Think of it this way: Your body is like an “emotional radar.” By learning to read its signals, you can navigate your feelings more effectively. Instead of being blindsided by a sudden wave of anger or sadness, you can see it coming and prepare yourself. It’s not about shutting down your emotions – it’s about managing them in a healthy way.
Somatic therapy is also about building resilience. It teaches you to stay present in your body, even when things get tough. This presence helps you feel more grounded and in control, making it easier to handle whatever life throws your way.
How Somatic Work Helps You Heal
4. Enhances Self-Awareness
Somatic therapy helps you tune into your body’s signals, making you more aware of your physical sensations – and what they mean. This heightened awareness can reveal patterns and triggers related to stress and emotions
My practice incorporates advanced somatic techniques such as interoceptive awareness training, which helps you become more attuned to your internal bodily states. Clients often find that this increased self-awareness not only improves their mental and emotional health, but also empowers them to make more mindful choices in their daily lives.
5. Promotes Physical Health
By managing stress, therapy can help lower your blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, and even boost your immune system! Plus, dealing with anxiety and trauma can lead to better sleep, which is absolutely necessary for staying healthy overall.
On top of that, therapy can help with chronic pain by teaching you how to cope and changing how you perceive pain. It also encourages healthier lifestyle choices like regular exercise, eating well, and avoiding harmful habits. All of this together makes a big difference in your physical health – and overall well-being.
"Together, we’ll explore how your brain and body work, break repetitive patterns, and create the life you want. Reach out today and let’s start your journey to healing!"
The Mind-Body Connection
6. Fosters Mind-Body Integration
Ever feel like your mind and body are on two separate planets? Body-centered therapy can help bridge that gap. As a somatic therapist in Los Angeles, I focus on fostering mind-body integration, helping you feel more connected and whole.
Being in tune with your body’s signals is amazing because it really strengthens the mind-body connection. It helps you become more aware of how your body responds to emotions and stress. By tuning into these physical sensations, you can better understand what your body is trying to tell you. This awareness can lead to deeper emotional healing and more effective coping strategies. Clients often find that this holistic approach helps them feel more grounded and present in their daily lives.
7. Supports Healing from Chronic Pain
Somatic therapy is fantastic for healing chronic pain. It helps you tune into your body and recognize where you’re holding tension or stress. Since chronic pain often links to emotional stress, addressing these underlying issues can bring significant physical relief.
Through techniques like breathwork, gentle movement, and mindfulness, somatic therapy releases stored tension and reduces pain. It’s about teaching your body to relax and heal, providing noticeable relief and improving your overall quality of life. This approach helps you feel more balanced and at ease in your day-to-day life.
Holistic Therapy in LA to Improve Your Life
8. Improves Sleep Quality
Poor sleep can stem from stress, anxiety, and physical tension. Somatic therapy addresses these root causes by using techniques that calm the nervous system and promote relaxation, leading to better sleep. Using body-based therapy can significantly improve sleep by addressing the underlying physical and emotional stress that disrupts rest. By focusing on the mind-body connection, this therapy helps release tension stored in the body (leading to a calmer nervous system!). Techniques like breathwork, gentle movement, and mindfulness teach your body to relax, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Over time, these practices can help create a more restful sleep pattern and improve overall sleep quality.
Online Therapy in LA To Help Relationships & Secure Attachment
9. Enhances Interpersonal Relationships
Our connection with others is necessary for our survival. Somatic therapy can really enhance our relationships by helping us become more attuned to our own bodies and emotions. When we’re aware of how stress and trauma affect us physically, we can communicate our needs and boundaries more clearly. This awareness helps us respond to others with more empathy and understanding.
Additionally, by releasing stored tension and learning to regulate our nervous system, we become LESS reactive and MORE present with others. When we’re not constantly in a state of fight-or-flight, we can actually listen and engage with the people around us. This creates a stronger foundation for meaningful connections.
This type of integrative therapy also teaches the importance of setting boundaries and recognizing your needs within relationships. By tuning into your body and emotions, you can identify when a boundary is crossed and assert your needs confidently. This not only protects your emotional health – but also builds mutual respect and understanding in your relationships. Ready to improve your connections? Reach out today and let’s enhance your interpersonal skills together.
Mindfulness and Somatic Therapy
10. Builds Resilience and Coping Skills
Physical-emotion therapy is amazing for building resilience and coping skills. It helps you get more in tune with how your body reacts to stress and trauma. It’s not just about talking through your issues…it’s about understanding and addressing the physical sensations tied to trauma. When you pay attention to these sensations, you learn to calm your nervous system and manage stress better. Research shows that techniques like Somatic Experiencing (SE) help regulate your body’s stress responses and build resilience over time.
By practicing breathwork, gentle movement, and mindfulness, somatic therapy helps you develop practical skills to handle stress. These techniques calm your nervous system, reducing physical discomfort and psychological symptoms. People who go through somatic therapy often report big drops in PTSD symptoms and chronic pain (plus they feel better overall and have stronger relationships). This holistic approach gives you the tools to navigate through life with more ease and confidence.
Clients often find that these skills lead to positive changes in how they handle stress and adversity. Ready to build your resilience and boost your coping skills? Reach out today, and let’s start your journey to a stronger, more resilient you.
Holistic Healing in Los Angeles | Ready to Begin Somatic Therapy?
Sick of traditional talk therapy? I get it. It’s not just about talking through stuff that helps healing, but actually getting in touch with your body and what it’s trying to tell you. This approach helps you release pent-up stress and trauma, making you feel more balanced and grounded. You learn practical techniques that you can use in real-time to handle whatever life throws at you.
By connecting your mind and body, you start to heal on a deeper level, improving not just your mental health but your overall well-being. It’s about finding that inner calm and resilience, so you can live a more fulfilling life. If you’re ready to take the next step in your healing journey, somatic therapy in Los Angeles might be just what you need.
Connect with a somatic Therapist in Los Angeles
Meet Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
Hey there! I’m Cheryl Groskopf, a licensed anxiety, trauma, and attachment therapist based in Los Angeles. I specialize in helping individuals understand and transform their relationship with anxiety, guiding them to uncover its roots and purpose. My approach is active and collaborative – we’ll dive deep into how your brain and body interact, and how you can change those repetitive, subconscious patterns holding you back. We will utilizing holistic techniques such as somatic therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Whether you’re a perfectionist, a people pleaser, or someone who’s always put others first, I’m here to help you prioritize your own needs and heal from past wounds.
- I aim to make therapy a space where you feel empowered and understood. My background includes extensive work with adults facing anxiety in relationships, those with emotionally immature or unavailable parents, and individuals dismissed as “the good kid” growing up.
Specialties:
Additional Resources for Somatic Therapy in LA:
- NAMI Urban Los Angeles – Provides a wide range of mental health resources and support for the Los Angeles community.
- Center for Mindful Living Los Angeles – Offers mindfulness classes and psychotherapy, integrating mindfulness into mental health practices.
- Open Space Therapy Collective – Specializes in LGBTQ+ counseling and provides a supportive environment for diverse mental health needs.
