Somatic Trauma Therapy in Cupar, Fife

“There is in us something wiser than our head”  – Arthur Schopenhauer

Calming the “fight or flight” response

People who have suffered a traumatic experience may find ways to cope with it in the short term, only to find themselves stuck with coping strategies that become habitual, distressing and life-limiting. Typical symptoms of post-traumatic stress include feeling constantly on-edge, tense or irritable, avoiding certain situations, places or activities, becoming dissociated or ‘spacing out’ under pressure, or using food, alcohol or other substances to calm unmanageable feelings.

Somatic Trauma Therapy works directly with a client’s bodily experience to calm the “fight or flight” response which is triggered when we feel under threat. More rational or analytical approaches do not always bring relief from chronic stress or trauma symptoms and can lead to people going round in circles. Trauma tends to be ‘held in the body’, inaccessible to conscious thought, and somatic therapy aims to bring those embodied trauma responses to conscious awareness and transform them.

Helping you to feel more empowered

In a mindful, carefully-paced way, I help you pay attention to the physical sensations, emotions, and tensions arising within the body. Although we are talking about the body, there is no touch involved, and you do not need to share the details of your traumatic experience if you do not want to. Establishing a deeper connection with your body helps you begin to understand your body’s signals more accurately and to process emotions and tensions related to challenging experiences. We also identify and explore inner resources and practical steps that you can incorporate into your day, helping you to feel more empowered and to face life’s challenges with greater ease and confidence.