Psychotherapy Minneapolis

1. Somatic Transformation “Love reveals and transforms all that is not yet love,” said Sharon Stanley, a psychotherapist in Washington. This belief – that love heals and transforms – is the core of her work in trauma therapy. For two decades, Stanley has developed and taught a healing modality for people dealing with truma. Whether from abuse, neglect, intense emotion or generational legacy … Stanley believes love can heal the wounds. But, it requires a felt sense. Based on her research on empathy with traumatized children, Stanley founded a therapy called Somatic Transformation (ST). Her approach focuses on the release of traumatic energy in a relational field between a therapist and a client. “It is only through relationship that unresolved suffering can be transformed into love and connection,” she said. She bases her approach on emerging research in somatic psychology and neurobiology. What is Somatic Transformation? The word “somatic” refers to an approach that highlights a connection to the body. From this perspective, a therapist can pay attention to body language and what it may express through posture and movement. The ST modality has a relational, body center focus. It encompasses six practices that bring specific skills to the relational field. These processes encourage deep emotional, neurological, social and spiritual change. Embodiment

2. To help a client, a somatic psychology therapist develops the art of embodiment. When someone can feel deeply into their present moments, they open themselves to embody the painful, disconnected parts of life. Somatic Awareness The ST method centers on a connection to body. The body is the main source of energy for wellness living and connection. Somatic skills in discerning feelings, images, and sensations open a therapist to natural healing elements. Somatic Empathy This empathy moves beyond hearing, seeing, and understanding to “feeling with” another person. As an embodied witness with a felt sence, a therapist can align with the wisdom and vitality in the traumatized person. Somatic Inquiry As a therapist brings a sense of curiosity and caring to the inner world of a client, defenses soften. The traumatized person starts to explore this inner world and uncover the wound. This restores inborn growth and development. Somatic interventions This involves meditation and exercises to interrupt aggression, anxiety, despair, disassociation, fatigue, and withdrawal. It organizes inner patterns in restorative ways to heal the wounds of truma. Somatic Reflection This last practice involves dialogue between two or more people. It seeks to integrate a connection to body with mind knowledge. It helps wounded people make sense of their experience and find purpose in their lives. Final Thoughts What led to Stanley’s specialization in trauma? “I’ve got grandkids that I adore,” she said. “I want to see children feel safer in this world.” By using the power of empathy instead of techniques, a therapist can build a connection with a client. With body center focus, relational embodiment and felt sence, an experience with trauma can give way to healing change.

3. For more info log on to:https://psychotherapypartnersmn.com/somatic-transformation/. Contact Us: 3507 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis Minnesota 55408 info@ptpmn.org 612-886-6112 USA