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can i do somatic therapy on myself: Healing Trauma Peter A. Levine, 2008 Medical researchers have known for decades that survivors of accidents, disaster, and childhood trauma often endure life-long symptoms ranging from anxiety and depression to unexplained physical pain and harmful acting out behaviors. Drawing on nature's lessons, Dr. Levine teaches you each of the essential principles of his four-phase process: you will learn how and where you are storing unresolved distress; how to become more aware of your body's physiological responses to danger; and specific methods to free yourself from trauma. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., 1997-07-07 Now in 24 languages. Nature's Lessons in Healing Trauma... Waking the Tiger offers a new and hopeful vision of trauma. It views the human animal as a unique being, endowed with an instinctual capacity. It asks and answers an intriguing question: why are animals in the wild, though threatened routinely, rarely traumatized? By understanding the dynamics that make wild animals virtually immune to traumatic symptoms, the mystery of human trauma is revealed. Waking the Tiger normalizes the symptoms of trauma and the steps needed to heal them. People are often traumatized by seemingly ordinary experiences. The reader is taken on a guided tour of the subtle, yet powerful impulses that govern our responses to overwhelming life events. To do this, it employs a series of exercises that help us focus on bodily sensations. Through heightened awareness of these sensations trauma can be healed. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: The Body Remembers: The Psychophysiology of Trauma and Trauma Treatment Babette Rothschild, 2000-10-17 For both clinicians and their clients there is tremendous value in understanding the psychophysiology of trauma and knowing what to do about its manifestations. This book illuminates that physiology, shining a bright light on the impact of trauma on the body and the phenomenon of somatic memory. It is now thought that people who have been traumatized hold an implicit memory of traumatic events in their brains and bodies. That memory is often expressed in the symptomatology of posttraumatic stress disorder-nightmares, flashbacks, startle responses, and dissociative behaviors. In essence, the body of the traumatized individual refuses to be ignored. While reducing the chasm between scientific theory and clinical practice and bridging the gap between talk therapy and body therapy, Rothschild presents principles and non-touch techniques for giving the body its due. With an eye to its relevance for clinicians, she consolidates current knowledge about the psychobiology of the stress response both in normally challenging situations and during extreme and prolonged trauma. This gives clinicians from all disciplines a foundation for speculating about the origins of their clients' symptoms and incorporating regard for the body into their practice. The somatic techniques are chosen with an eye to making trauma therapy safer while increasing mind-body integration. Packed with engaging case studies, The Body Remembers integrates body and mind in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. It will appeal to clinicians, researchers, students, and general readers. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: In an Unspoken Voice Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., 2012-10-30 Unraveling trauma in the body, brain and mind—a revolution in treatment. Now in 17 languages. In this culmination of his life’s work, Peter A. Levine draws on his broad experience as a clinician, a student of comparative brain research, a stress scientist and a keen observer of the naturalistic animal world to explain the nature and transformation of trauma in the body, brain and psyche. In an Unspoken Voice is based on the idea that trauma is neither a disease nor a disorder, but rather an injury caused by fright, helplessness and loss that can be healed by engaging our innate capacity to self-regulate high states of arousal and intense emotions. Enriched with a coherent theoretical framework and compelling case examples, the book elegantly blends the latest findings in biology, neuroscience and body-oriented psychotherapy to show that when we bring together animal instinct and reason, we can become more whole human beings. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) Pat Ogden, Kekuni Minton, Clare Pain, 2006-09-19 Psychological trauma profoundly affects the body, often disrupting normal physical functioning when left unresolved. This work provides a review of research in neuroscience, trauma dissociation and attachment theory that points to the need for an integrative mind-body approach to trauma. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Homecoming John Bradshaw, 2013-04-24 In this powerful book, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Reclaiming Virtue shows how we can learn to nurture our inner child and offer ourselves the good parenting we needed and longed for. Are you outwardly successful but inwardly feel like a big kid? Do you aspire to be a loving parent but too often “lose it” in hurtful ways? Do you crave intimacy but sometimes wonder if it’s worth the struggle? Are you plagued by constant, vague feelings of anxiety or depression? If any of this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing the hidden but damaging effects of a painful childhood—carrying within you a “wounded inner child” who is crying out for attention and healing. John Bradshaw’s step-by-step process of exploring the unfinished business of each developmental stage helps us break away from destructive family rules and roles, freeing ourselves to live responsibly in the present. Then, says Bradshaw, the healed inner child becomes a source of vitality, inviting us to find new joy and energy in living. Homecoming includes a wealth of unique case histories and interactive techniques, including questionnaires, guided meditations, affirmations, and letter-writing to the inner child. These classic therapies, which were pioneering when introduced, continue to be validated by new discoveries in attachment research and neuroscience. No one has ever brought them to a popular audience more effectively and inspiringly than John Bradshaw. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: The Body Keeps the Score Bessel A. Van der Kolk, 2015-09-08 Originally published by Viking Penguin, 2014. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Somatics Thomas Hanna, 2004-08-04 When our bodies start to feel stiff, sore, or tired, we often say that we're getting old. But is that really the problem? In this groundbreaking work, Thomas Hanna shows that much of the physical decline associated with aging is not inevitable but avoidable. Building on the work of Moshe Feldenkrais, Hanna's practical program for the mind and body proves once and for all that problems you've always thought of as the symptoms of age--stiffness, bad back, chronic pain, fatigue, and, at times, even high blood pressure--need never occur if you maintain conscious control of your nerves and muscles. He shows how the body can turn a habitual action into an involuntary, destructive pattern called sensory-motor amnesia, and demonstrates a simple but effective method for conquering these habits with sensory-motor awareness. With only a five-minute routine once a day, you can maintain the pleasures of a limber, healthy body indefinitely and escape the confines of age or injury. Practical and easy to use, Somatics is the essential guide to reversing the physical effects of aging--or staving them off before they even begin. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Somatic Psychotherapy Toolbox Manuela Mischke-Reeds, 2018-07-10 Whether you're new to somatic approaches or a seasoned practitioner, this toolbox will be a game-changer in your work. From over 25 years of clinical experience, Manuela Mischke-Reeds, MA, LMFT, has created the go-to resource for mental health therapists who want to incorporate somatic techniques into their daily practice. Highly-effective for clients dealing with trauma and stress disorders, somatic psychotherapy is the future of healing the entire person-body and mind. Section-by-section, this toolbox guide the clinician through: - Targeted somatic interventions for trauma, stress and PTSD - Steps to incorporate the body into your current therapeutic approach - Mindfulness techniques and breath work - Starting guidelines, safety concerns and keys to success - Getting to know their own body to better use body work with clients |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors Janina Fisher, 2017-02-24 Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors integrates a neurobiologically informed understanding of trauma, dissociation, and attachment with a practical approach to treatment, all communicated in straightforward language accessible to both client and therapist. Readers will be exposed to a model that emphasizes resolution—a transformation in the relationship to one’s self, replacing shame, self-loathing, and assumptions of guilt with compassionate acceptance. Its unique interventions have been adapted from a number of cutting-edge therapeutic approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, mindfulness-based therapies, and clinical hypnosis. Readers will close the pages of Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors with a solid grasp of therapeutic approaches to traumatic attachment, working with undiagnosed dissociative symptoms and disorders, integrating right brain-to-right brain treatment methods, and much more. Most of all, they will come away with tools for helping clients create an internal sense of safety and compassionate connection to even their most dis-owned selves. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Elusive Brain Jason Tougaw, 2018-04-24 Featuring a foreword by renowned neuroscientist Joseph E. LeDoux, The Elusive Brain is an illuminating, comprehensive survey of contemporary literature’s engagement with neuroscience. This fascinating book explores how literature interacts with neuroscience to provide a better understanding of the brain’s relationship to the self. Jason Tougaw surveys the work of contemporary writers—including Oliver Sacks, Temple Grandin, Richard Powers, Siri Hustvedt, and Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay—analyzing the way they experiment with literary forms to frame new views of the immaterial experiences that compose a self. He argues that their work offers a necessary counterbalance to a wider cultural neuromania that seeks out purely neural explanations for human behaviors as varied as reading, economics, empathy, and racism. Building on recent scholarship, Tougaw’s evenhanded account will be an original contribution to the growing field of neuroscience and literature. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: The Mind-Body Stress Reset Rebekkah LaDyne, 2020-03-01 Harness your mind-body connection for lasting ease and well-being In our busy, get-it-done-now culture, stress has become the new normal—a normal that’s embedding itself into our minds and our bodies. If left unchecked, stress can dictate how we think, feel, and act. Overwhelm, anxiousness, malaise, and unease are a daily experience. And over time, these stress-reactions turn into habits, leaving us stuck in a mental and physical rut. So, how can you soothe stress before it becomes your go-to? In this practical and accessible guide, you’ll find powerful and effective tools for calming stress in both mind and body. Based on the innovative Mind-Body Reset (MBR) program, you’ll learn how to stop stress in its tracks with simple somatic exercises. You’ll also discover how you can “reset” your nervous system, alleviate stress flare-ups, and boost your overall health and happiness. If you’re ready to combat stress, cultivate calm, and live a more vital life, it’s time for a reset! |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Trauma and Memory Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., 2015-10-27 Designed for psychotherapists and their clients, Peter Levine's latest best-seller continues his groundbreaking exploration of the central role of the body in processing—and healing—trauma. With foreword by Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score In Trauma and Memory, bestselling author Dr. Peter Levine (creator of the Somatic Experiencing approach) tackles one of the most difficult and controversial questions of PTSD/trauma therapy: Can we trust our memories? While some argue that traumatic memories are unreliable and not useful, others insist that we absolutely must rely on memory to make sense of past experience. Building on his 45 years of successful treatment of trauma and utilizing case studies from his own practice, Dr. Levine suggests that there are elements of truth in both camps. While acknowledging that memory can be trusted, he argues that the only truly useful memories are those that might initially seem to be the least reliable: memories stored in the body and not necessarily accessible by our conscious mind. While much work has been done in the field of trauma studies to address explicit traumatic memories in the brain (such as intrusive thoughts or flashbacks), much less attention has been paid to how the body itself stores implicit memory, and how much of what we think of as memory actually comes to us through our (often unconsciously accessed) felt sense. By learning how to better understand this complex interplay of past and present, brain and body, we can adjust our relationship to past trauma and move into a more balanced, relaxed state of being. Written for trauma sufferers as well as mental health care practitioners, Trauma and Memory is a groundbreaking look at how memory is constructed and how influential memories are on our present state of being. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology: Interventions to Enhance Embodiment in Trauma Treatment Arielle Schwartz, Barb Maiberger, 2018-08-07 A guide to help EMDR practitioners to integrate somatic therapy into their sessions. Clients who have experienced traumatic events and seek EMDR therapists rely on them as guides through their most vulnerable moments. Trauma leaves an imprint on the body, and if clinicians don't know how to stay embodied in the midst of these powerful relational moments, they risk shutting down with their clients or becoming overwhelmed by the process. If the body is not integrated into EMDR therapy, full and effective trauma treatment is unlikely. This book offers an integrative model of treatment that teaches therapists how to increase the client's capacity to sense and feel the body, helps the client work through traumatic memories in a safe and regulated manner, and facilitates lasting integration. Part I (foundational concepts) offers a broad discussion of theory and science related to trauma treatment. Readers will be introduced to essential components of EMDR therapy and somatic psychology. The discussion then deepens into the science of embodiment through the lens of research on emotion, memory, attachment, interpersonal neurobiology, and the impact of trauma on overall health. This part of the book emphasizes the principles of successful trauma treatment as phase-oriented, mindfulness-based, noninterpretive, experiential, relational, regulation focused, and resilience-informed. Part II (interventions) presents advanced scripted protocols that can be integrated into the eight phases of EMDR therapy. These interventions provide support for therapists and clients who want to build somatic awareness through experiential explorations that incorporate mindfulness of sensations, movement impulses, breath, and boundaries. Other topics discussed include a focus on complex PTSD and attachment trauma, which addresses topics such as working with preverbal memories, identifying ego states, and regulating dissociation; chronic pain or illness; and culturally-based traumatic events. Also included is a focused model of embodied self-care to prevent compassion fatigue and burnout. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy Susan McConnell, 2020-09-22 Discover the innovative intersection of somatic therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS), featuring 5 core practices to transform modern therapeutic approaches. Enhance your clinical practice and patient outcomes by skillfully uniting body and mind through an evidence-based therapeutic modality—endorsed by leaders in the field, including Richard Schwartz. Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy introduces a cutting-edge therapeutic modality that merges the elements of somatic therapy, such as movement, touch, and breathwork, with the established principles of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model. Authored by Susan McConnell, this multifaceted approach is crafted for therapists, clinicians, somatic practitioners, mental health professionals, and anyone interested in innovative healing techniques. A valuable contribution to mental health treatment, this guide offers a new horizon for those engaged in the well-being of others. This comprehensive, bestselling guide presents: 5 core practices: somatic awareness, conscious breathing, radical resonance, mindful movement, and attuned touch, designed for seamless integration into therapeutic work. Strategies to apply these practices in addressing a range of clinical conditions including depression, trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, chronic illness, and attachment disorders. Techniques to assist clients in identifying, understanding, and reconciling their 'inner worlds' or subpersonalities, leading to improved emotional health and behavior. A compelling combination of scientific insights, experiential practices, and real-world clinical stories that illuminate the theory and application of Somatic IFS. Highly regarded mental health professionals, such as IFS founder Richard Schwartz, have applauded this essential guide. By weaving together holistic healing wisdom, modern neuroscience, and somatic practices expertise, this book serves as a crucial resource for psychotherapists across various disciplines and laypersons seeking an embodied self. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: It Didn't Start with You Mark Wolynn, 2016-04-26 A groundbreaking approach to transforming traumatic legacies passed down in families over generations, by an acclaimed expert in the field Depression. Anxiety. Chronic Pain. Phobias. Obsessive thoughts. The evidence is compelling: the roots of these difficulties may not reside in our immediate life experience or in chemical imbalances in our brains—but in the lives of our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. The latest scientific research, now making headlines, supports what many have long intuited—that traumatic experience can be passed down through generations. It Didn’t Start with You builds on the work of leading experts in post-traumatic stress, including Mount Sinai School of Medicine neuroscientist Rachel Yehuda and psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score. Even if the person who suffered the original trauma has died, or the story has been forgotten or silenced, memory and feelings can live on. These emotional legacies are often hidden, encoded in everything from gene expression to everyday language, and they play a far greater role in our emotional and physical health than has ever before been understood. As a pioneer in the field of inherited family trauma, Mark Wolynn has worked with individuals and groups on a therapeutic level for over twenty years. It Didn’t Start with You offers a pragmatic and prescriptive guide to his method, the Core Language Approach. Diagnostic self-inventories provide a way to uncover the fears and anxieties conveyed through everyday words, behaviors, and physical symptoms. Techniques for developing a genogram or extended family tree create a map of experiences going back through the generations. And visualization, active imagination, and direct dialogue create pathways to reconnection, integration, and reclaiming life and health. It Didn’t Start With You is a transformative approach to resolving longstanding difficulties that in many cases, traditional therapy, drugs, or other interventions have not had the capacity to touch. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Overcoming Trauma through Yoga David Emerson, Elizabeth Hopper, Ph.D., 2012-01-10 Survivors of trauma—whether abuse, accidents, or war—can end up profoundly wounded, betrayed by their bodies that failed to get them to safety and that are a source of pain. In order to fully heal from trauma, a connection must be made with oneself, including one’s body. The trauma-sensitive yoga described in this book moves beyond traditional talk therapies that focus on the mind, by bringing the body actively into the healing process. This allows trauma survivors to cultivate a more positive relationship to their body through gentle breath, mindfulness, and movement practices. Overcoming Trauma through Yoga is a book for survivors, clinicians, and yoga instructors who are interested in mind/body healing. It introduces trauma-sensitive yoga, a modified approach to yoga developed in collaboration between yoga teachers and clinicians at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, led by yoga teacher David Emerson, along with medical doctor Bessel van der Kolk. The book begins with an in-depth description of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including a description of how trauma is held in the body and the need for body-based treatment. It offers a brief history of yoga, describes various styles of yoga commonly found in Western practice, and identifies four key themes of trauma-sensitive yoga. Chair-based exercises are described that can be incorporated into individual or group therapy, targeting specific treatment goals, and modifications are offered for mat-based yoga classes. Each exercise includes trauma-sensitive language to introduce the practice, as well as photographs to illustrate the poses. The practices have been offered to a wide range of individuals and groups, including men and women, teens, returning veterans, and others. Rounded out by valuable quotes and case stories, the book presents mindfulness, breathing, and yoga exercises that can be used by home practitioners, yoga teachers, and therapists as a way to cultivate awareness, tolerance, and an increased acceptance of the self. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: The Emotion Code Dr. Bradley Nelson, 2019-05-07 I believe that the discoveries in this book can change our understanding of how we store emotional experiences and in so doing, change our lives. The Emotion Code has already changed many lives around the world, and it is my hope that millions more will be led to use this simple tool to heal themselves and their loved ones.—Tony Robbins In this newly revised and expanded edition of The Emotion Code, renowned holistic physician and lecturer Dr. Bradley Nelson skillfully lays bare the inner workings of the subconscious mind. He reveals how emotionally-charged events from your past can still be haunting you in the form of trapped emotions—emotional energies that literally inhabit your body. These trapped emotions can fester in your life and body, creating pain, malfunction, and eventual disease. They can also extract a heavy mental and emotional toll on you, impacting how you think, the choices that you make, and the level of success and abundance you are able to achieve. Perhaps most damaging of all, trapped emotional energies can gather around your heart, cutting off your ability to give and receive love. The Emotion Code is a powerful and simple way to rid yourself of this unseen baggage. Dr. Nelson’s method gives you the tools to identify and release the trapped emotions in your life, eliminating your “emotional baggage,” and opening your heart and body to the positive energies of the world. Filled with real-world examples from many years of clinical practice, The Emotion Code is a distinct and authoritative work that has become a classic on self-healing. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Internal Family Systems Therapy Richard C. Schwartz, 2013-09-18 This book has been replaced by Internal Family Systems Therapy, Second Edition, ISBN 978-1-4625-4146-1. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Moving Beyond Trauma: The Roadmap to Healing from Your Past and Living with Ease and Vitality Ilene Smith, 2020-05-05 Have you noticed that no matter how much time you spend in talk therapy, you still feel anxious and triggered? That is because talk therapy can keep you stuck in a pattern of reliving your stories, rather than moving beyond them. But, most of all, it's because trauma doesn't just reside inside your mind--much more importantly, it locks itself in other parts of your body. When left unresolved, that trauma continues to live there, impacting your life, your relationships, your sense of safety, and your ability to experience joy in very real ways. In Moving Beyond Trauma, Ilene Smith will introduce you to Somatic Experiencing, a body-based therapy capable of healing the damage done to your nervous system by trauma. She breaks down the ways in which trauma impacts your nervous system and walks you through a program designed to process trauma in a non-threatening way. You will discover a healing lifestyle marked by a deeper connection with yourself, those around you, and with everything you do. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Healing Developmental Trauma Laurence Heller, Ph.D., Aline LaPierre, Psy.D., 2012-09-25 This “well-organized, valuable” guide draws from somatic-based psychotherapy and neuroscience to offer “clear guidance” for coping with childhood trauma (Peter Levine, author of Waking the Tiger and In an Unspoken Voice). Although it may seem that people suffer from an endless number of emotional problems and challenges, Laurence Heller and Aline LaPierre maintain that most of these can be traced to five biologically based organizing principles: the need for connection, attunement, trust, autonomy, and love-sexuality. They describe how early trauma impairs the capacity for connection to self and others and how the ensuing diminished aliveness is the hidden dimension that underlies most psychological and many physiological problems. Heller and LaPierre introduce the NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM), a method that integrates bottom-up and top-down approaches to regulate the nervous system and resolve distortions of identity such as low self-esteem, shame, and chronic self-judgment that are the outcome of developmental and relational trauma. While not ignoring a person’s past, NARM emphasizes working in the present moment to focus on clients’ strengths, resources, and resiliency in order to integrate the experience of connection that sustains our physiology, psychology, and capacity for relationship. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) David Berceli, 2005-05-03 This book explains many aspects of the trauma recovery process in uncomplicated language and uses basic concepts for the non-professional. It includes the ground-breaking, Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE). These exercises elicit mild psychogenic tremors that release deep chronic tension in the body and assist the individual in the trauma healing process. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: The Headache Healer’s Handbook Jan Mundo, 2018-05-10 Jan Mundo’s mind-body program teaches headache and migraine sufferers how to relieve and prevent their symptoms naturally — without drugs and their side effects. Here she shares her powerful personalized, comprehensive program for the first time. In step-by-step instructions, she helps readers discover and prevent the triggers that perpetuate their headaches — and stop their pain on the spot with her unique hands-on therapy. In a caring and compassionate voice, she makes her techniques accessible to both occasional headache sufferers and those who have long felt misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Brimming with inspirational narratives, questionnaires, guidelines, tracking tools, and author-illustrated instructions, The Headache Healer’s Handbook answers the headache sufferer’s plea for help and offers hope for a headache-free future. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Trauma-Proofing Your Kids Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., Maggie Kline, 2014-09-16 Understand the different types of upsets and traumas your child may experience—and learn how to teach them how to be resilient, confident, and even joyful The number of anxious, depressed, hyperactive and withdrawn children is staggering—and still growing! Millions have experienced bullying, violence (real or in the media), abuse or sexual molestation. Many other kids have been traumatized from more “ordinary” ordeals such as terrifying medical procedures, accidents, loss and divorce. Trauma-Proofing Your Kids sends a lifeline to parents who wonder how they can help their worried and troubled children now. It offers simple but powerful tools to keep children safe from danger and to help them “bounce back” after feeling scared and overwhelmed. No longer will kids have to be passive prey to predators or the innocent victims of life’s circumstances. In addition to arming parents with priceless protective strategies, best-selling authors Dr. Peter A. Levine and Maggie Kline offer an antidote to trauma and a recipe for creating resilient kids no matter what misfortune has besieged them. Trauma-Proofing Your Kids is a treasure trove of simple-to-follow “stress-busting,” boundary-setting, sensory/motor-awareness activities that counteract trauma’s effect on a child’s body, mind and spirit. Including a chapter on how to navigate the inevitable difficulties that arise during the various ages and stages of development, this ground-breaking book simplifies an often mystifying and complex subject, empowering parents to raise truly confident and joyful kids despite stressful and turbulent times. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Mindful Somatic Awareness for Anxiety Relief Michele L. Blume, 2020-10-01 Quiet the fear in your body before it hijacks your mind—all while restoring resilience and vitality! Anxiety is a modern epidemic, and unfortunately it just seems to be getting worse. If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from anxiety, you probably already know that trying to control your anxious thoughts and worries won’t work. That’s because fear doesn’t begin with your thoughts. It begins in the body. So, how can you calm your body so your mind will follow? Written by a psychologist and Reiki practitioner, and based on cutting-edge research, this book shines a much-needed spotlight on the role our bodies play in generating and perpetuating anxiety. Using the SOAR model—Sense, Observe, Articulate, Reflect—you’ll learn to connect more deeply with your body, observe your senses, and articulate and reflect on what you observe. By shifting your attention to bodily sensations, you’ll actually reduce activity in the fear-generating parts of your brain. You’ll also find simple body-based exercises that allow you to cultivate insight into your anxiety response, so you can strengthen your relationship with your body, and, over time, cultivate a lasting, regulated response to the various anxiety triggers in your environment. Give yourself the gift of mindful body awareness. It has the power to ease the suffering that comes with chronic anxiety and will help you connect with a deeper sense of self—so you can pursue the pleasures and passions of a truly authentic life! |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Simple Self-Care for Therapists: Restorative Practices to Weave Through Your Workday Ashley Davis Bush, 2015-06-15 “Bite-sized” self-care strategies that any therapist can easily practice. For mental health professionals who must regularly guard against compassion fatigue and secondary traumatization, intentional self-care isn’t just essential; it’s a survival tool. If therapists don’t take proper care of themselves, they can’t do their work effectively. Taking up an exercise program, going on a vacation, turning to supportive social networks, while helpful remedies to the stresses of the job, are not always feasible and the results are often only short term. Synthesizing the latest thinking in mindfulness, neuroscience, energy medicine, and spiritual disciplines, Simple Self-Care for Therapists offers immediate relief in doable, bite-sized nuggets—easy exercises that can be seamlessly integrated into your current workday routine with little fuss. Over 60 restorative practices are presented—tools for (1) grounding, (2) energizing, and (3) relaxing—organized as antidotes to the most common pathologies that therapists suffer: vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout. Bush, a therapist with over 25 years of experience, walks readers through the descriptions and simple implementation of each practice, with illuminating stories from her own professional experiences. Whether you’re in a staff meeting, conducting a therapy session, writing a progress report, or attending a workshop, these convenient exercises can be dipped into as needed. A go-to resource of self-care tools, every therapist, no matter their background or approach, now has the ability to prevent stress, avoid internalization, revive their spirit, and restore a sense of well-being. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Roll Model Jill Miller, 2014-11-04 Pain is an epidemic. It prevents you from performing at your best because it robs you of concentration, power, and peace of mind. But most pain is preventable and treatable, and healing is within your grasp. Hundreds of thousands of people around the globe have taken life “by the balls” and circumvented a dismal future of painkillers, surgeries, and hopelessness by using Jill Miller’s groundbreaking Roll Model Method. The Roll Model gives you the tools to change the course of your life in less than 5 minutes a day. You are a fully equipped self-healing organism, and this book will guide you through easy-to-perform self-massage techniques that will erase pain and improve your performance in whatever activities you pursue. The Roll Model teaches you how to improve the quality of your life no matter your size, shape, or condition. Within these pages you will find: • Inspiring stories of people just like you who have altered the course of their lives by using the Roll Model Method • Accessible explanations of how and why this system works based on the science of your body and the physiological effects of rolling • Step-by-step rolling techniques to help awaken your body’s resilience from head to toe so that you have more energy, less stress, and greater performance Whether you’re living with constant discomfort, seeking to improve your mobility, or trying to avoid medication and surgery, this book provides empowering and effective solutions for becoming your own best Roll Model. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Gabbard's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders Glen O. Gabbard, 2014-05-05 The definitive treatment textbook in psychiatry, this fifth edition of Gabbard's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders has been thoroughly restructured to reflect the new DSM-5® categories, preserving its value as a state-of-the-art resource and increasing its utility in the field. The editors have produced a volume that is both comprehensive and concise, meeting the needs of clinicians who prefer a single, user-friendly volume. In the service of brevity, the book focuses on treatment over diagnostic considerations, and addresses both empirically-validated treatments and accumulated clinical wisdom where research is lacking. Noteworthy features include the following: Content is organized according to DSM-5® categories to make for rapid retrieval of relevant treatment information for the busy clinician. Outcome studies and expert opinion are presented in an accessible way to help the clinician know what treatment to use for which disorder, and how to tailor the treatment to the patient. Content is restricted to the major psychiatric conditions seen in clinical practice while leaving out less common conditions and those that have limited outcome research related to the disorder, resulting in a more streamlined and affordable text. Chapters are meticulously referenced and include dozens of tables, figures, and other illustrative features that enhance comprehension and recall. An authoritative resource for psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses, and an outstanding reference for students in the mental health professions, Gabbard's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders, Fifth Edition, will prove indispensable to clinicians seeking to provide excellent care while transitioning to a DSM-5® world. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve Stanley Rosenberg, 2017-12-19 The bestselling guide to the vagus nerve, now in 20+ languages: unlock the self-healing power of Stephen Porges’s Polyvagal Theory Vagus exercises for reducing anxiety, healing trauma, and rebalancing your autonomic nervous system This comprehensive guide offers an easy-to-understand overview of the vagus nerve—and helps you unlock your body’s innate capacity to heal from stress, trauma, anxiety, and injury. Dr. Stanley Rosenberg, PhD, dispels long-held myths about the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and offers up-to-date research on how our physical health, emotional wellness, and the vagus nerve are all interconnected. Most importantly, he shows how these insights can help you heal your ANS—and live a less stressed, more balanced, and emotionally regulated life. This book offers: An in-depth overview of Stephen Porges’s Polyvagal Theory Step-by-step self-help techniques for regulating the vagus nerve Vagus exercises to relieve emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms Real-life case studies and stories from the author’s clinical practice Insights into the vagus nerve’s role in social behavior An overview of what happens in our bodies when we get stuck in stress states—and how to heal them Simple, research-backed recommendations for initiating deep relaxation, improving sleep, healing from trauma, and stimulating recovery from illness and injury Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve is written for therapists, bodyworkers, trauma survivors, parents, and anyone struggling with chronic stress. Grounded in neurobiology research, clinical stories, and easy-to-follow exercises, this book gives you the tools to bring your body back into a state of safety, balance, and optimal functioning. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Nurturing Resilience Kathy L. Kain, Stephen J. Terrell, 2018-05-08 A practical, integrated approach for therapists working with child and adult patients impacted by developmental trauma and attachment difficulties—featuring a foreword by Waking the Tiger author, Peter Levine. Kathy L. Kain and Stephen J. Terrell draw on fifty years of their combined clinical and teaching experience to provide this clear road map for understanding the complexities of early trauma and its related symptoms. Experts in the physiology of trauma, the authors present an introduction to their innovative somatic approach that has evolved to help thousands improve their lives. Synthesizing across disciplines—Attachment, Polyvagal, Neuroscience, Child Development Theory, Trauma, and Somatics—this book provides a new lens through which to understand safety and regulation. It includes the survey used in the groundbreaking ACE Study, which discovered a clear connection between early childhood trauma and chronic health problems. For therapists working with both adults, children, and anyone dealing with symptoms that typically arise from early childhood trauma—anxiety, behavioral issues, depression, metabolic disorders, migraine, sleep problems, and more—this book offers hope for a happier, trauma-free life. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Self-Compassion Dr. Kristin Neff, 2011-04-19 Kristin Neff, Ph.D., says that it’s time to “stop beating yourself up and leave insecurity behind.” Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind offers expert advice on how to limit self-criticism and offset its negative effects, enabling you to achieve your highest potential and a more contented, fulfilled life. More and more, psychologists are turning away from an emphasis on self-esteem and moving toward self-compassion in the treatment of their patients—and Dr. Neff’s extraordinary book offers exercises and action plans for dealing with every emotionally debilitating struggle, be it parenting, weight loss, or any of the numerous trials of everyday living. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: The Somatic Therapy Workbook Livia Shapiro, 2020-12-08 Release tension and heal from traumatic experiences with therapist-approved activities in this easy-to-use guide to somatic therapy. Enjoy a great reading experience, with a $3 credit back to spend on your next Great on Kindle book when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. The effects of a traumatic event are more than just mental. Trauma can manifest in the body as chronic pain, sluggishness, and even depressed mood. Somatic psychology is an alternative therapy that analyzes this mind-body connection and helps you release pent-up tension and truly heal from past trauma. The Somatic Therapy Workbook offers a primer to this life-changing approach as a means for personal growth, designed for beginners or those already using somatic techniques in their current therapeutic process. Ideal for those suffering from PTSD and other trauma-based afflictions, this safe and approachable look at somatic therapy includes: - journal exercises - body-centered prompts for personal inquiry - movement exercises - real-life experiments Discover a new ability to process and accept your emotions—and an understanding of how to live a somatically-oriented and embodied life. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Healing Sexual Trauma Workbook Erika Shershun, 2021-07 Overcome shame and stigma; and bring a newly felt sense of safety, awareness, and life to your body. If you’ve experienced rape, sexual abuse, molestation, or sexual trauma, you may feel as if you’ve lost your sense of self. You may have difficulty setting boundaries or building satisfying sexual relationships. Sometimes, you may even feel like your body isn’t your own. You aren’t alone. The scars of sexual trauma exist not only in the mind, but also in the body. And in order to heal, build resilience, and discover a sense of hope, you must address both. Drawing on the powerful mind-body techniques of somatic therapy, The Healing Sexual Trauma Workbook is a step-by-step guide to overcoming the psychological effects of sexual trauma, and increasing positive body awareness and vitality. You’ll find tools to help you create an internal sense of safety and become more embodied and present. You’ll also discover ways to establish boundaries; move beyond intense feelings like shame, fear, and guilt; and deal effectively with triggers. Finally, you’ll learn how to cultivate self-compassion and the confidence needed to live your best life. What happened to you isn’t your fault, and it doesn’t define you. With the right tools, you can live a full and satisfying life beyond sexual trauma. This workbook will help guide you, every step of the way. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: How to Do the Work Dr. Nicole LePera, 2021-03-09 #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER · INSTANT INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER From Dr. Nicole LePera, creator of the holistic psychologist—the online phenomenon with more than two million Instagram followers—comes a revolutionary approach to healing that harnesses the power of the self to produce lasting change. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Nicole LePera often found herself frustrated by the limitations of traditional psychotherapy. Wanting more for her patients—and for herself—she began a journey to develop a united philosophy of mental, physical and spiritual wellness that equips people with the interdisciplinary tools necessary to heal themselves. After experiencing the life-changing results herself, she began to share what she’d learned with others—and soon “The Holistic Psychologist” was born. Now, Dr. LePera is ready to share her much-requested protocol with the world. In How to Do the Work, she offers both a manifesto for SelfHealing as well as an essential guide to creating a more vibrant, authentic, and joyful life. Drawing on the latest research from a diversity of scientific fields and healing modalities, Dr. LePera helps us recognize how adverse experiences and trauma in childhood live with us, resulting in whole body dysfunction—activating harmful stress responses that keep us stuck engaging in patterns of codependency, emotional immaturity, and trauma bonds. Unless addressed, these self-sabotaging behaviors can quickly become cyclical, leaving people feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, and unwell. In How to Do the Work, Dr. LePera offers readers the support and tools that will allow them to break free from destructive behaviors to reclaim and recreate their lives. Nothing short of a paradigm shift, this is a celebration of empowerment that will forever change the way we approach mental wellness and self-care. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Somatic Therapy for Trauma | From Chaos To Connection Adele Wilson, 2024-08-20 The longest relationship in your life —is with yourself. You deserve to have a good one. Imagine feeling at peace in your mind and body. Serene, loving and safe. If you feel chronic stress, pain or worry, this somatic experiencing exercises book might just be the thing you have been looking for to heal in gentle, loving way. Adele Wilson's Somatic Therapy for Trauma” – a holistic guide to wellness book for women looking for loving answers how to heal from past trauma. If you have suffered a traumatic event in your life, you may experience: Difficulties in concentrating. Changes in appetite. Anxiety, mood swings. Guilt, shame, and self-blame. Sleeping problems. Irritability, anger, or fearfulness. Flashbacks, nightmares. Chronic fatigue, stomach issues, and more. So, what is somatic therapy – and how it can help? By focusing on bodily sensations rather than thoughts or feelings, somatic therapy helps us unlock the hidden stories stored within our bodies. It's about listening to the whispers of our bodies, acknowledging their pain, and offering them the love and care they deserve. Trauma Resolution: Helps us process and release trauma stored in our body. This can alleviate symptoms of PTSD and complex ptsd symptoms adults. Improved Emotional Regulation: Enhances the ability to manage and regulate our emotions by increasing body awareness and mindfulness. Reduced Physical Symptoms: Alleviates physical symptoms such as chronic pain, tension, and fatigue often associated with emotional distress. Enhanced Self-Awareness: Increases awareness of our body's sensations, helping us understand the connection between our physical and emotional states. Better Stress Management: Provides tools and techniques to cope with stress, leading to improved overall well-being. Somatic therapy for trauma can lovingly form the connection between our minds and bodies and help us find ways how heal from past trauma; and guidance for nervous system regulation. This book can help you if you: Want to find gentle ways for overcoming childhood trauma as an adult. Wonder how to heal from past trauma. Want to find ways to regulate your emotions. Want to aim helping your family through ptsd. Wonder can you heal from childhood trauma, (You can.), Or want to know what is somatic therapy for beginners. That's where this amazing book comes in! Somatic Therapy for Trauma is a warm guide to reclaiming your inner peace and strength. With a regimen of simple somatic exercises, meditation, and real-life anecdotes, and loving, easy-to-follow guidance, Adele Wilson invites you to traverse the path of self-discovery and healing from past trauma. Plus there are amazing bonuses. And there is more: we wanted you to have more than just a book—so we created a tribe for you. I dedicate this book to you, my dear. It takes courage to start the journey towards healing, because often it requires us to step outside the normal, the boring, the lovely little setup called everyday life. It takes courage to decide to heal. You have taken the first step. You are truly a real-life superhero. - Adele Wilson So, my dear, get your copy—welcome to your healing tribe! |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Unshame Carolyn Spring, 2019-05-22 A book for psychotherapists and their clients - and for anyone who wants to make the journey from shame to unshame. Carolyn Spring, author of 'Recovery is my best revenge: my experience of trauma, abuse and dissociative identity disorder', documents in this, her second book, her journey through psychotherapy to heal and resolve trauma-based shame, which had resulted in a catastrophic mental breakdown in her early thirties and an eventual diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder (DID). She then embarked on a nearly ten year journey of psychotherapy through which she came to realise that shame had actually saved her life. However, the cost to this protective function is a life lived dissociated from feelings of joy, connection, love and belonging. This book explores Carolyn's pathway towards 'Unshame'. Suitable for both professionals and survivors alike, it is a fascinating insight into that most private and mysterious of places - the therapy room, and the mind. About the author Carolyn Spring helps people recover from trauma and to reverse adversity. She is author of numerous books and articles and has delivered extensive training throughout the UK for both dissociative survivors and professionals working with them. She set up PODS (Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors) in 2010 to promote recovery from dissociative disorders. She now works more widely in the field of mental health and adversity and combines a wealth of personal experience with research in her writing and training, bringing a rare positivity and the belief that no matter what people have experienced, recovery is possible. For more information go to www.carolynspring.com. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Freedom from Pain Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., Maggie Phillips, Ph.D., 2012-05-01 If you are suffering chronic pain—even after years of surgery, rehabilitation, and medication—only one question matters: How do I find lasting relief? With Freedom from Pain, two pioneers in the field of pain and trauma recovery address a crucial missing factor essential to long-term healing: addressing the unresolved emotional trauma held within the body. Informed by their founding work in the Somatic Experiencing® process and unique insights gleaned from decades of clinical success, Drs. Levine and Phillips will show you how to: Calm the body’s overreactive “fight” response to painRelease the fear, frustration, and depression intensified by prior traumas, and build inner resilience and self-regulationRelieve pain caused by the aftermath of injuries, surgical procedures, joint and muscle conditions, migraines, and other challenges Whether you’re seeking to begin a self-care strategy or amplify your current treatment program, Freedom from Pain will provide you with proven tools to help you experience long-term relief. Includes digital access to guided exercises. |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: The Art of Autism Debra Hosseini, 2012-03-21 |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: Tuck Yourself In Ginger Clark PhD, 2013-03-26 Access the deep source of wisdom you already have for greater self-soothing, presence, and aliveness. Awaken to your bodyself voice through three listening practices. Often delightful, sometimes poignant, and always informative, bodyself messages are your unique guide. Discover how: Exercises make this material come alive as you read Examples from the authors own experience speak to your interest Experiments can help you sleep better tonight Discover how to soften your resistance to slowing down and taking care of yourself. Experience how change occurs by embracing the sensory moment. Trade energy-depleting addictions for energy-enhancing Goldilocks moments of getting it just right! Balance Lets Go! doing with Let Go being. This bodymindful approach can enrich every aspect of your life, from eating and exercising to engaging with others. Learning how to self-soothe, re-center, or tuck yourself in during difficult moments is an important skill that few of us learned to do in an optimal way as we grew up. Dr. Ginger Clark has written a fascinating approach on how to develop this crucial skill for your own moments of discomfort, or to help those you care about. Her approach combines her background as a therapist, her knowledge of body-mind-spirit methods, and her vulnerability and courage as a human being who has worked hard for many years to find self-soothing and re-centering steps that are effective and do-able for people from all walks of life. Leonard Felder, PhD, author of Here I Am: Using Jewish Spiritual Wisdom to Become More Present, Centered, and Available for Life |
can i do somatic therapy on myself: The Pain Relief Secret Sarrah Warren St. Pierre, 2019-09 We've been sold a lie: The world tells us that pain is inevitable, that our bodies must break down as we age, and that there's nothing we can do about it. Researchers develop new drugs to manage our pain; surgeons dream up new techniques to repair worn-out joints. But we never truly feel better. Here's the shocking truth: The vast majority of the pain that plagues our aging bodies is self-inflicted. It's caused by the way we use our bodies every day: the way we sit, the way we stand, the way we walk and run, even the way you open a jar of pasta sauce. But with simple exercises, anybody can learn to heal their chronic musculoskeletal pain, and prevent future pain, injury, and joint problems from developing. The Pain Relief Secret explores the fascinating science of pain, and instructs readers in Clinical Somatics, a method of neuromuscular education that relieves chronic muscle tightness, restores natural posture and movement, and eliminates pain. Students of Clinical Somatics have healed from chronic back pain, joint and nerve pain, scoliosis, and many other common pain conditions. Best of all, Clinical Somatics puts the power in your hands. You don't need special training or expensive repeat visits to a physical therapist. Clinical Somatics exercises are practiced on your own and in your very own home. This is The Pain Relief Secret: your key to taking back your body from a lifetime of pain. This book is great for anyone who has tried surgery, drugs, chiropractic treatments, naturopathy, yoga, physiotherapy, or massage therapy and still experiences chronic pain. |
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