Somatic Therapy for Anxiety

Somatic therapy for anxiety focuses on the mind-body connection to help manage and reduce anxiety symptoms. Anxiety often keeps the body in a constant state of fight-or-flight, leading to chronic stress and physical discomfort. Dysregulation from anxiety can manifest as panic attacks, muscle tension, and a sense of being constantly on edge.

Somatic therapy helps you become more aware of your body’s responses to stress. We’ll use techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and gentle movements to calm the nervous system. By learning to recognize and regulate these physical responses, you can reduce anxiety, improve your ability to handle stress healthfully and enhance your well-being.

In somatic therapy, you’ll engage in practices that help you connect with your body and emotions. Expect sessions to involve practicing mindfulness, noticing how your body responds to thoughts and feelings, breathing exercises, gentle movement, and other practices to help you cultivate a felt sense of your internal experience, creating safety from within to explore and release trauma held in your body. We’ll work on building self-trust, developing and maintaining healthy boundaries, and cultivating self-compassion and self-acceptance. Over time, you’ll notice a greater sense of calm, improved emotional balance, and a deeper connection with yourself.

When your nervous system is out of balance, it can show up in various ways, affecting your body and mind. Here are some common symptoms of dysregulation:

Chronic Anxiety: Constant feelings of worry, fear, or dread.

Emotional Numbness: Feeling disconnected from your emotions or surroundings.

Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to fatigue.

Physical Ailments: Frequent headaches, digestive issues, or unexplained body aches.

Mood Swings: Rapid changes in mood, from irritability to sadness.

Hypervigilance: Being overly alert or easily startled.

Difficulty Concentrating: Experiencing mental fog or difficulty focusing.

Overwhelming Stress: Feeling constantly overwhelmed or unable to cope with daily tasks.

Social Withdrawal: Avoiding social interactions or feeling isolated.

Panic Attacks:  Sudden episodes of intense fear combined with physical symptoms like a racing heart.

Recognizing these symptoms is the first step toward healing. In therapy, we’ll work on calming your nervous system and restoring balance, helping you feel more grounded and in control.

Various factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences, can cause anxiety in adults. Stressful events like job loss, relationship issues, or traumatic experiences can trigger or worsen anxiety. Additionally, a family history of anxiety disorders can increase your risk. It’s often a combination of these elements that leads to anxiety.

Yes, anxiety is very common. Millions of people around the world experience anxiety at some point in their lives. It’s a natural response to stress, but for some, it can become overwhelming. The good news is that you’re not alone, and there are many resources and treatments available to help you manage anxiety effectively.

Anxiety is your body’s natural response to danger, keeping you alert and ready to respond. But, when anxiety becomes chronic or excessive, it can hinder rather than help. Addressing anxiety is crucial for maintaining mental and physical health, improving quality of life, and preventing more serious issues from developing.

Anxiety can cause a range of symptoms, both physical and emotional. You might experience persistent worry, restlessness, or difficulty concentrating. Physical symptoms include racing heart, sweating, trembling, and stomach issues. These symptoms can be distressing and disruptive, but they can be managed with the proper support.