Posted by Trauma does not just live in our minds, it lingers in our bodies. Have you ever noticed how certain memories make your chest tighten or your shoulders tense up? That is trauma speaking through your body, not just your thoughts. Traditional talk therapy helps, but what if healing requires more than words? That is where sensorimotor psychotherapy come in.
I remember working with a client, let us call her Sarah, who struggled with anxiety after a car accident. She could talk about it calmly, yet her hands would shake whenever she sat in a car. No amount of rational discussion eased that physical reaction. When trauma lingers in the body, it can create automatic responses that feel out of our control, even when our minds say we are safe. That is the thing about trauma: sometimes, the body holds onto what the mind tries to release.
What Makes Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Different?
Developed by Dr. Pat Ogden, sensorimotor psychotherapy is built on a simple but powerful idea: trauma lives in the nervous system, not just in memories. When something overwhelming happens, our bodies react to fight, flight, or freeze. But if that energy does not get released, it stays trapped, creating tension, pain, or automatic reactions we do not understand.
Unlike traditional therapy, which focuses mostly on talking, sensorimotor therapy pays attention to bodily sensations. Have you ever felt your heart race before you even realized you were anxious? That is your body remembering before your mind catches up. This approach helps people tune into those signals safely, without judgment.
How Does It Work?
The process starts with body awareness. A therapist might ask, “What do you notice in your chest right now?” or “Does your jaw feel tight when you recall that memory?” Simple questions, but they unlock something profound: the body’s hidden wisdom.
Next comes movement. If someone froze during trauma, their body might still be holding that tension. A therapist could guide them to complete a defensive gesture they could not make at the time like pushing away an invisible threat. It sounds small, but for trauma survivors, it can be life-changing.
Who Can Benefit?
Research shows sensorimotor psychotherapy is especially helpful for:
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Childhood trauma developmental wounds that shape how we react today
Chronic stress or anxiety when the body stays stuck in survival mode
But here is the thing: it is not a magic fix. Healing takes time, and every person’s journey is different. Some days, progress feels tangible; other days, it is two steps back. That is normal.
Is This Approach Right for You?
If talk therapy has not fully helped, or if you notice your body reacting in ways you cannot control, sensorimotor psychotherapy might be worth exploring. It is not about replacing other methods but adding another layer, one that honors how deeply trauma lives within us.
I have seen clients who spent years in therapy finally find relief when they started listening to their bodies. Maybe you have tried everything, but something still feels stuck. Maybe your shoulders ache with old stress, or your breath catches when a memory surfaces. If so, your body might be asking for a different kind of attention.
Healing is not just about understanding trauma, it is about releasing it. And sometimes, that begins not with words, but with a deep breath, a shift in posture, or finally letting your body say what it has been holding onto for years.
Have you ever noticed how your body reacts to stress? Let me know in the comments I would love to hear your thoughts.
References
Ogden, P., & Fisher, J. (2015). Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Interventions for Trauma and Attachment. W. W. Norton & Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/0889-8391.29.4.262
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Trauma and PTSD. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/trauma
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking Press. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14101250
American Psychological Association. (2022). Understanding Trauma and Its Impact. https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma
Payne, P., Levine, P. A., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015). Somatic experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 12(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2014-0027