Somatic Coaching for Trauma Healing: A Path to Wholeness

Trauma is not just something that happens to us—it’s something that lives within us. It shapes how we breathe, how we move, how we relate to others, and how we experience the world. While we often try to “think” our way through trauma, true healing requires something deeper: a return to the body.

Understanding Trauma

As Bessel van der Kolk writes in The Body Keeps the Score:

“The body keeps the score: if the memory of trauma is encoded in the viscera, in heartbreaking and gut-wrenching emotions, in autoimmune disorders and skeletal/muscular problems…this demands a radical shift in our therapeutic assumptions.”

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk conducted extensive research on trauma and ways to heal from it. One of his key observations was that trauma is not merely a memory—it’s a physiological imprint. Even when we don’t consciously remember what happened, our bodies do. We may carry tension in our shoulders, flinch at certain sounds, or feel inexplicable dread in seemingly safe situations. This is one of the most significant impacts of trauma: the lack of safety we feel in our bones, even if we are not consciously aware of it.

Ways of Working With Trauma

Traditional talk therapy can be incredibly helpful, but when it comes to trauma, working only with the mind can sometimes be counterproductive. Recalling traumatic memories without the tools to regulate the body’s response can lead to re-traumatization. Many therapists have observed that recalling something painful can be overwhelming. Just the memory of it can be too much. Even if we remember it well, revisiting it can bring up details, ruminations, or emotions that we have managed to put behind us.

This is why it is so important to involve the body in the healing process. Often, just working with the body is enough because body regulation leads to the regulation of our thoughts. As van der Kolk states:

“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations and the way that their bodies interact with the world around them.”

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Embodiment Coaching and Somatic Practices for Trauma Healing

Embodiment coaching and somatic practices help people reconnect with their bodies in safe, gentle ways. This might include:

• Grounding exercises to bring awareness to the present moment

• Breathwork to regulate the nervous system

• Postural awareness to shift emotional states

• Movement or shaking to release stored tension

• Touch or self-contact (like placing a hand on the heart) to foster self-soothing

  
  

These practices are simple but powerful. They help build the capacity to stay present with difficult sensations without becoming overwhelmed.

The Journey of Healing

At the same time, healing doesn’t mean forgetting or erasing trauma entirely; that is not possible, even if sometimes we wish it were. Healing means integrating trauma into our story in a way that no longer controls us. We don’t go back to who we were before—we grow into someone new, someone stronger, someone more whole.

Embodiment helps us do that. It gives us tools to regulate our emotions, feel safe in our own skin, and reconnect with joy, creativity, and the people around us in a new, more meaningful way.

Embracing the Non-Linear Path of Healing

Trauma healing is not a linear path. It’s a spiral—sometimes gentle, sometimes intense—but always calling us back to ourselves. Embodiment is not a quick fix, but it is a profound and necessary part of the journey.

If you’re navigating trauma, know this: your body is not your enemy; it’s your ally. With the right support, it can become your greatest source of wisdom and resilience.

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Conclusion: The Power of Somatic Coaching

In conclusion, somatic coaching offers a unique approach to trauma healing. By focusing on the body, we can unlock deeper layers of healing that traditional methods may overlook. Remember, healing is a journey, not a destination. Embrace it with an open heart and a willingness to explore.

If you’re ready to take the next step, consider exploring somatic practices. They can be a gentle yet powerful way to reconnect with yourself and begin the healing process.

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Book a FREE Discovery Call

If you are not sure where to start, or whether embodiment coaching is for you, feel free to schedule a free discovery call. We can discuss your challenge and see how I can support you in your journey.

Book a FREE Discovery Call

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How is trauma defined beyond just a memory?

A: Trauma is defined as a physiological imprint that lives within the body, affecting physical and emotional responses, even when the conscious memory is repressed or forgotten.

Q: Why might traditional talk therapy be counterproductive when dealing with trauma?

A: Focusing only on the mind, particularly recalling traumatic memories without tools for bodily regulation, can risk leading to re-traumatization and overwhelm the individual's nervous system.

Q: What is the core goal of Embodiment Coaching for trauma healing?

A: The core goal is to help individuals reconnect with their body, believing that body regulation leads to the regulation of thoughts and emotions, helping people feel safe and grounded in the present moment.

Q: What are three examples of somatic practices?

A: Somatic practices include grounding exercises, breathwork for nervous system regulation, and movement or shaking to release stored physical tension.

Q: Does successful trauma healing mean forgetting the traumatic event?

A: No, successful healing does not mean forgetting. It means integrating the trauma into one's life story so that the past event no longer controls their present life or identity.

Q: Why is the process of trauma healing described as a "non-linear path"?

A: Trauma healing is described as a spiral, not a straight line. It suggests that healing involves cycling back to issues with new resources, acknowledging that the journey can be gentle or intense, but always moving toward wholeness.

Q: Who is Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and what is his key observation about trauma?

A: Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is a researcher on trauma who emphasizes that "the body keeps the score," meaning the memory of trauma is encoded physiologically in the body's viscera, muscles, and emotional responses.