Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
Holistic anxiety, trauma, and attachment therapist in Los Angeles.
The Science Behind Somatic Therapy and Trauma Recovery
Why Somatic Therapy is Changing Lives in Los Angeles:
10 Research-Driven Facts
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of somatic therapy because it seems to be everywhere these days (especially in Los Angeles). People are beginning to realize that this is more than simply a fad in wellness. Body-based therapy is becoming a well-respected method for treating trauma, stress, and anxiety because the research behind it is sound.
I adore somatic therapy because it involves feeling and processing your problems physically rather than just talking them out. It’s not just about a temporary repair…it’s about true, long-lasting change. This article explores 10 somatic therapy facts supported by research, which help to explain why it’s growing in popularity as a healing modality.
If you’re looking for effective somatic therapy in LA, check out my practice for more information and book a consultation today!
Holistic Therapy in LA
1. It Promotes Holistic Healing
In terms of mental health, conventional treatment approaches frequently treat the body and mind as if they are wholly distinct entities. But they’re not.Ever feel like your body and mind are disconnected? Somatic therapy can helps with that because it provides a more holistic approach to healing by examining your mental and physical well-being simultaneously.
The way somatic therapy links the mind and body to enhance general wellbeing is what makes it so intriguing. It examines the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations rather than concentrating only on the symptoms. Holistic therapy’s main focus is to improve your overall sense of balance and wellness rather than merely treating particular problems like trauma or anxiety.
Attachment Therapy Los Angeles
2. It Can Help Secure Your Attachment Style
It’s fascinating how our earliest relationships set the stage for how we connect with people all our lives. When these foundational attachments are rocky or insecure, they can shape us into adults who struggle with anxiety, who shy away from closeness, or find relationships generally unstable. Somatic therapy offers a novel way to heal these deep attachment wounds by focusing on their PHYSICAL manifestations.
Unlike traditional therapy that often zeroes in just on our mental hang-ups or thoughts, this type of therapy digs into how our bodies hold onto past relationships. It works through the physical sensations and the often unconscious memories stored in our muscles and posture, helping to untangle old, unhealthy ways of connecting with others.
Research supports this body-minded approach.
A study published in Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy shows how this work can repair broken attachments by nurturing a better harmony between body and mind. This can pave the way to more stable and rewarding relationships, letting you interact with others from a place of security instead of fear or anxiety.
If you’re tired of the same old patterns or feel your relationships are more of a struggle than they should be, somatic therapy in Los Angeles could help. It’s about healing from the inside out, and addressing those wounds at a bodily level to help you build stronger, more satisfying connections. Click here to set up an appointment and start your path to healing today.
Nervous System Regulation
3. Somatic Therapy Regulates the Nervous System
It’s stressful to feel on edge all the time, isn’t it? It seems as though your body is unable to decelerate from its overdrive mode. The problem is, though, that your nervous system is actually trapped in survival mode, not just something you’re thinking.
Somatic psychotherapy can help with this. We are not just talking about stress and hoping it goes away on its own. My direct approach involves calming your body on a physiological basis. I will work with you to help your autonomic nervous system relax through body awareness, grounding exercises, and integrating other modalities like IFS. We will work together to activate the parasympathetic portion of your system – which is all about recuperation and relaxation.
Trauma-Focused Therapy
4. Supports Trauma Recovery
It takes more than just talking about the past to heal from trauma. Trauma is typically held in the body, which is why somatic approaches work so well. It could be that traditional therapy does not always address the bodily symptoms of trauma, which is why it has felt to simply scratch the surface of your problems.
The goal of somatic therapy is to help you make a connection with the bodily experiences that are connected to your traumatic past. As a result, this method creates a safe and controlled processing of these experiences. This method’s main benefit is that it avoids the need to face up to terrible memories head-on. Rather, it enables you to release what has been holding you back without feeling overwhelmed by gently exploring your body’s responses.
Somatic Therapy Los Angeles
5. Improves Emotional Regulation
Have you ever noticed that, particularly when you’re stressed or concerned, it seems like your emotions are in control? Here, somatic treatment can truly be extremely beneficial. Being aware of what’s going on in your body can help you better control your emotional reactions, which is one of its main advantages.
Being more conscious of your body helps you recognize the early indicators of stress or worry, such as a pit in your stomach or sweaty palms. You can actually address these physical indications before they get out of control by being aware of them. Also, it helps you learn how to maintain your composure and awareness so that those intense feelings won’t overcome you.
Science confirms this.
According to research, integrative therapy can help patients become more conscious of their physical sensations and how they connect to their emotions, which can actually enhance emotional regulation. Studies like this one in the Journal of Clinical Psychology and this one published in Frontiers in Psychology, for example, demonstrate the link between body awareness and emotional resilience.
Whether you’re located in West Los Angeles, Culver City, or Santa Monica, I offer personalized online somatic therapy sessions to support your healing from the comfort of your home.”
Healing both Mind & Body For True Healing
6. Reduces Symptoms of PTSD
Ever feel like your past trauma literally follows you around? Dealing with PTSD and Complex PTSD means constantly battling symptoms like sudden flashbacks, being on high alert, and feeling anxiety that seems to suffocate every part of you. Holistic therapy offers a new way to heal, focusing on the toll that trauma has taken on your body and mind.
The great thing about body-based therapy for PTSD and Complex PTSD is it doesn’t force you to relive the bad memories. Moreover, it helps you understand how those experiences are held in your body. Through simple techniques, you learn to tune into your body’s signals, allowing you to safely work through the trauma, easing the tension and pain that’s built up over time.
There’s strong research backing up these benefits. Studies published in journals on NLH show that body-centered therapy can really ease PTSD symptoms, helping people process and move past their trauma, finding real, lasting relief.
If traditional therapy hasn’t fully met your needs, somatic therapy in Los Angeles might just be what you need to help you not just manage, but truly move on to feeling more empowered and secure.
somatic healing in la
7. Enhances Body Awareness
Have you ever been so absorbed in your own thoughts that you fail to notice physical symptoms? It happens rather frequently. You’re mindlessly going about your day when all of a sudden stress or anxiety strikes. That’s the thing about somatic therapy: understanding your body’s messages can be incredibly helpful in this situation.
It’s amazing how mind-body healing helps you reestablish a connection with your body. It’s about being aware of the little things, such as clenching your jaw, breathing more quickly, or experiencing a tightening of the chest. Early detection of these symptoms allows you to control your stress and stop discomfort… before it gets out of control.
And yes, this is supported by some reliable science. ‘Interoception’, the scientific term for being aware of your body’s feelings, is actually helpful in controlling your emotions.
Holistic Therapy in Los Angeles
8. Somatic Therapy in LA Reduces Anxiety
This work really gets into how your body reacts to anxiety. It helps you address the shallow breaths, the pounding heart, and the tight muscles. By using techniques like grounding exercises, deep breathing, and mindful movement, it helps calm your nervous system and restores balance.
What’s pretty cool is the solid research backing this up. Take a study from Frontiers in Psychology, for instance, which shows that somatic practices can really dial down anxiety by easing the body’s stress responses. This approach lets you tune down that anxiety right where it starts—not just in your thoughts but where you actually feel it, in your body.
If the usual anxiety fixes haven’t worked for you, somatic work might be the approach you need. It leverages your body’s own calming capabilities, providing a deeper, more sustainable kind of relief without relying on quick fixes. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and ready to explore how somatic therapy can help, book a consultation with me today.
Body-Based Techniques
9. Promotes Safe Embodiment
Feeling safe in your own body isn’t automatic, especially for those who’ve experienced a lot of trauma or ongoing stress. It’s common to disconnect from physical sensations as a coping strategy when emotions run too high or experiences are too intense. Holistic healing using body awareness comes into play here because it offers a path to regain that sense of security and nurture a deeper connection with your body.
This therapy is gentle. It’s not about confronting all your issues at once, but gradually getting accustomed to what your body is trying to communicate. This approach isn’t just kinder, but it builds a foundation of safety in your own skin that’s essential for healing from trauma and stress.
Want more science? Here you go!
Research published in the Journal of Trauma & Dissociation highlights how body-centered therapy significantly aids people in feeling more safe and secure after experiencing trauma. By enhancing how connected you feel to your body, it helps you to more confidently engage with life AND improve your relationships.
If you’ve been feeling detached from your body, or if trusting what it tells you has been hard, somatic approaches might be what you need to shift things in a positive direction. It’s about slowly building up a space where you feel safe and supported internally.
Body-Based Techniques
10. It’s Great for Trauma Recovery
If you’ve found it difficult to process trauma through talk therapy alone, somatic therapy offers an alternative that could be more aligned with your needs. It’s about giving your body a voice in the healing process, allowing you to move forward with a greater sense of peace and closure.
This research is quite convincing. Research like this one that was published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress has shown how powerful body awareness can be in assisting people with their trauma processing. You can release the emotional pain and stored tension that standard treatment might not be able to fully address by working with the body.
Healing your body through somatic experiencing is an option that can be more suitable for you if talk therapy hasn’t been able to help you process your trauma. Giving your body a say in the healing process gives you an opportunity to move forward with a stronger sense of closure and calmness.
Your Guide to Body-Based Healing
Meet Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
Hi, I’m Cheryl, a Los Angeles-based therapist that is committed to assisting clients in reestablishing their inner connection and internal healing. My method goes beyond conventional therapy. Instead, I address the underlying problems that keep you feeling trapped by concentrating on the potent relationship between the mind and body.
I am here to help you through the healing process if you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, or attachment struggles. Somatic therapy, which focuses on comprehending and releasing the tension and emotions contained in your body, is the foundation of my work.
I use a holistic approach to provide a secure environment in which you can work through problems relating to complex family relationships or traumatic childhood experiences, including CPTSD. In addition, I offer IFS therapy, an amazing method that promotes greater self-awareness and healing by assisting you in connecting with every part of who you are.
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