Heal Through the Wisdom of Your Body with Full Vida Therapy

Somatic Therapy Services

Are you feeling disconnected from your body? Do anxiety, stress, or trauma symptoms affect your daily life? While talk therapy offers valuable support, sometimes our bodies need attention too. At Full Vida Therapy, our group practice of experienced somatic therapists provides body-oriented therapy that addresses both mind and body healing.

Serving Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Irvine, and surrounding areas across Orange County, California, our team integrates somatic approaches with evidence-based therapeutic modalities to help you reconnect with yourself, regulate your nervous system, and process traumatic experiences more effectively.

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a holistic therapeutic approach recognizing the profound mind-body connection in the healing process. Unlike traditional talk therapy that focuses primarily on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy acknowledges that stress, trauma, and emotions are stored physically within our bodies as physical sensations.

The word "somatic" comes from the Greek word "soma," meaning "body." This body-centered approach to therapy focuses on how our physical sensations, movements, and postures contain valuable information about our emotional well-being. For many people, especially those dealing with trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or chronic pain, addressing these bodily experiences can unlock healing that talk therapy alone cannot access.

Benefits of Somatic Therapy for Mental Health

Somatic therapy offers numerous benefits for mental health and emotional wellbeing:

Effective for Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress

Somatic therapy is particularly effective for processing traumatic experiences that remain stored in the body. Research from Massachusetts General Hospital supports somatic approaches as effective treatment for PTSD and trauma-related conditions. By working with physical sensations associated with trauma in a safe, controlled way, clients can gradually release these experiences without becoming overwhelmed.

Improves Body Awareness and Emotional Regulation

By developing greater body awareness, you learn to recognize and respond to strong emotional responses more effectively. This improved self-regulation can help you navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and stay present in the moment rather than being overwhelmed by feelings or sensations.

Reduces Anxiety, Depression, and Chronic Pain

Physical tension often accompanies and intensifies symptoms of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and chronic pain. Somatic therapy provides techniques to release this tension, often leading to significant symptom reduction. As the nervous system becomes more regulated, many clients experience improved sleep quality and fewer stress-related health issues.

Addresses What Talk Therapy Alone Cannot Reach

Some traumatic memories or experiences can feel "stuck" when approached only through talking. Somatic therapy offers additional pathways for processing and integrating difficult experiences by engaging the body's natural healing capacities and creating new neural pathways for healthier responses.

Types of Somatic Therapies We Offer

Our therapists at Full Vida Therapy draw from several somatic approaches, tailoring their methods to each client's unique needs:

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing therapy focuses on regulating the nervous system and releasing stored traumatic energy. SE sessions typically involve tracking physical sensations while the therapist provides guidance on navigating uncomfortable sensations. This gentle approach prevents overwhelm while addressing the physiological aspects of trauma and stress.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Created by Pat Ogden, PhD, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy integrates cognitive and somatic techniques. This approach helps process unresolved trauma by working with the body's posture, movement, and physical patterns, while also addressing beliefs and emotions connected to these physical experiences.

Body-Oriented Trauma Therapy

Body-oriented trauma therapy focuses on helping individuals process and release traumatic experiences through techniques such as deep breathing, movement, and body awareness. This approach is particularly helpful for clients who have found talk therapy alone insufficient for addressing their trauma symptoms or post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Somatic Psychology and Body Psychotherapy

Combining somatic techniques with psychological principles, body psychotherapy creates an integrated approach to mental health. This comprehensive approach addresses issues at both physical and psychological levels simultaneously, helping clients develop new corrective interoceptive experiences.

Somatic Therapy Techniques for Healing

Our somatic therapists employ various evidence-based somatic therapy techniques:

Breathwork and Body Scanning

Conscious breathing practices help regulate the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and bring awareness to present-moment experience. Body scanning helps you notice and describe physical sensations with curiosity rather than judgment, reconnecting with internal sensations that may have been tuned out.

Grounding and Pendulation

Grounding techniques help regulate an activated nervous system and bring a sense of safety in moments of distress. Pendulation involves alternating attention between areas of comfort and areas of activation, helping the nervous system learn to move between states rather than becoming stuck in distress.

Gentle Movement and Mind-Body Exercises

Intentional movements and mind-body exercises can help release tension, complete interrupted defensive responses from traumatic events, and explore new possibilities for engagement with the world. These exercises help develop greater awareness of the connection between physical experience and emotional states.

Conditions We Treat Through Somatic Therapy

At Full Vida Therapy, our somatic therapists help clients with a wide range of challenges:

Trauma and PTSD

Somatic therapy is particularly effective for trauma healing. For those diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or experiencing traumatic stress disorders, somatic approaches provide effective treatment options that complement other therapeutic modalities.

Anxiety and Chronic Stress

Physical symptoms of anxiety—such as chest tightness, shallow breathing, or muscle tension—respond well to somatic interventions. Learning to recognize and change these physical patterns can reduce anxiety at its source, addressing the effects of long-term stress on both mind and body.

Nervous System Dysregulation

Many clients struggle with nervous systems that are either chronically hyperaroused (anxious, on edge) or hypoaroused (flat, disconnected, depressed). Somatic therapy helps restore balance to the nervous system, allowing for more flexibility and resilience in response to life's challenges.

Chronic Pain Conditions

Somatic therapy can be particularly helpful for individuals experiencing chronic pain, as it addresses the complex interplay between physical pain, emotional experiences, and nervous system regulation. By working with both the physiological and psychological aspects of pain, somatic therapy offers a holistic approach to pain management.

Other Concerns We Address:

  • Grief and loss

  • Self-esteem and identity issues

  • Relationship challenges

  • Neurodivergence

  • Depression and mood disorders

  • Life transitions

What to Expect in Somatic Therapy Sessions

At Full Vida Therapy, somatic therapy sessions are always guided by your comfort and consent. In a typical session with a somatic therapist, you might:

Initial Phase: Building Safety and Resources

  • Discuss your goals and history while your somatic therapist pays attention to both verbal and nonverbal communication

  • Learn basic somatic awareness skills and grounding techniques

  • Identify resources that help you feel safe and supported

Integration Phase

  • Apply somatic awareness to daily life situations

  • Develop personalized practices to maintain nervous system regulation

  • Integrate insights gained through bodily awareness with cognitive understanding

Middle Phase: Exploring and Processing

  • Practice noticing physical sensations associated with different emotional experiences

  • Work with specific issues or traumatic experiences using somatic approaches

  • Learn to recognize patterns in your nervous system response

  • Gradually build capacity to stay present with uncomfortable sensations

You don't need any special skills or previous experience to benefit from somatic therapy—your somatic therapist will guide you every step of the way and adapt the approach to match your comfort level.

Our Somatically-Informed Therapists

At Full Vida Therapy, our mental health practitioners have specialized training in somatic approaches and integrate these methods into their clinical practice. Our diverse team includes psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional clinical counselors who bring expertise in various therapeutic modalities.

All our somatic therapists maintain:

  • Specialized training in specific somatic therapy methods

  • Ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care

  • A deep understanding of the nervous system and its role in healing trauma

  • Cultural sensitivity and awareness of how different backgrounds may influence bodily experience

The relationship between you and your somatic therapist is one of the key factors for effective somatic work. We prioritize creating a safe, trusting environment where you feel comfortable exploring both emotional experiences and physical sensations.

Integrating Somatic Therapy with Other Approaches

At Full Vida Therapy, we believe in personalized, integrative treatment. Our therapists often combine somatic approaches with other evidence-based modalities including:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Combining CBT's focus on thought patterns with somatic awareness creates a powerful integration of top-down and bottom-up processing.

  • EMDR Therapy: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy already includes elements of somatic awareness and works well with additional somatic techniques.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT skills for emotional regulation can be strengthened through somatic practices.

  • Person-Centered Therapy: Creates an ideal foundation for somatic exploration, where all bodily experiences are approached with curiosity rather than judgment.

  • Trauma-Informed Therapy: All trauma therapy benefits from somatic awareness, as trauma impacts both mind and body.

  • Narrative Therapy: Combines reshaping personal stories with somatic awareness for a multi-dimensional approach to healing.

Online Somatic Therapy Throughout California

Full Vida Therapy provides somatically-informed therapy via secure telehealth for clients throughout California. While somatic therapy is often associated with in-person work, our experienced somatic therapists have adapted these approaches effectively for the virtual environment.

Virtual SE sessions and other somatic therapy techniques offer several advantages:

  • Convenience of accessing therapy from your own space

  • Opportunity to work within your actual living environment

  • Greater comfort for those who may feel vulnerable with in-person bodywork

  • Access to specialized somatic therapists regardless of location

Our therapists provide specific guidance for creating a comfortable, private space for your virtual sessions and adapt somatic therapy techniques to work effectively through the screen.

Common Questions About Somatic Therapy

  • Yes, somatic therapy approaches are supported by research in neuroscience, trauma studies, and clinical psychology. Harvard Health Publishing and other reputable sources have confirmed the effectiveness of body-oriented approaches for various mental health conditions, particularly those involving traumatic stress.

  • No. Unlike some forms of talk therapy, somatic approaches often work with the physical imprints of experiences rather than requiring detailed verbal accounts. This can make therapy more accessible for those who find it difficult to discuss certain experiences.

  • The length of therapy varies depending on individual goals, history, and current circumstances. Some clients experience meaningful shifts within a few SE sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work, especially for complex trauma or longstanding patterns.

  • Absolutely. Our somatic therapists have adapted somatic therapy techniques effectively for telehealth sessions. While the format may differ slightly from in-person work, the core principles and benefits remain accessible through virtual therapy.

Is Somatic Therapy Right for You?

Somatic therapy can be beneficial for many people, but it may be particularly helpful if:

  • You've tried traditional talk therapy but still feel "stuck"

  • You experience physical symptoms related to stress or emotions

  • You find it difficult to identify or express feelings

  • You've experienced a traumatic event that feels stored in your body

  • You notice patterns of either emotional overwhelm or numbness

  • You're interested in developing greater mind-body connection

  • You struggle with anxiety, stress, or nervous system regulation

  • You're dealing with chronic pain that seems connected to emotional states

  • You're experiencing symptoms of traumatic stress disorders or PTSD

Begin Your Healing Journey with Full Vida Therapy

At Full Vida Therapy, we believe in the profound wisdom of the body and its capacity for healing trauma. Our team of experienced somatic therapists is committed to providing compassionate, effective somatic therapy to help you reconnect with your body, regulate your nervous system, and find relief from symptoms that have been challenging to address through talk therapy alone.

Serving Yorba Linda, Anaheim, Irvine, and surrounding areas throughout California, our group practice offers the convenience of telehealth sessions with the depth and personalization of somatic approaches. Whether you're dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or other challenges, our somatic therapists can work with you to develop a personalized approach to healing.

Your healing journey is unique, and we're here to support your mental health every step of the way with individualized care that honors both your mind and body. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how somatic therapy at Full Vida Therapy can support your path to wholeness.

Ready to reconnect with your body's wisdom? Schedule a consultation with Full Vida Therapy today.