Somatic Therapy for Burnout and Nervous System Regulation
It’s not all in your head — your body holds onto memories of trauma, too. Somatic therapy at Hartwell Counselling can help release them.
Somatic therapy is an umbrella term for therapies that center on the mind-body connection. The term “somatic” means “relating to the body.” Although treating the mind-body connection is a relatively new concept in Western medicine, this concept has long been recognized in Eastern and African medicine and philosophies. Somatic Therapy is a holistic approach to psychotherapy that emphasizes the connection between the mind and body. Somatic therapy focuses on how the body holds onto past trauma and stress and uses bodily awareness and physical techniques to promote healing. This form of therapy is based on the principle that unresolved emotional issues can manifest in the body, affecting overall well-being. Distinguishing itself from conventional talk therapy or psychotherapy, somatic therapy goes beyond engaging solely with the mind. Instead, it places the body at the core of the healing process, seeking to facilitate healing on a cellular level. Somatic therapy focuses on how stress and trauma live in the body. Many high-achieving adults experience burnout not just mentally, but physically through tension, fatigue, shutdown, or constant activation. Somatic therapy helps restore balance by working directly with the nervous system.
What Somatic Therapy Helps With
Somatic therapy may help with:
• burnout and chronic stress
• nervous system dysregulation
• feeling constantly “on edge” or shut down
• difficulty resting or slowing down
• physical tension linked to emotional stress
• trauma responses stored in the body
How Somatic Therapy Works
Rather than focusing only on thoughts, somatic therapy brings gentle awareness to body sensations, movement, breath, and nervous system cues. This approach helps the body release stored stress safely and gradually, without overwhelm.
Why This Works For High-Achievers
High-achieving adults often override bodily signals for years. Somatic therapy helps rebuild trust with the body, allowing regulation and relief without relying on willpower or productivity-based coping.
How We Can Help Clients Using Somatic Therapy
At Hartwell Counselling Therapy Group, we specializing in Somatic Therapy and we can guide clients through the following process:
Developing Body Awareness: We help clients tune into their bodily sensations and become aware of how emotions manifest physically. This can involve body scanning exercises and mindfulness practices.
Trauma Release Techniques: We provide techniques such as somatic experiencing, therapeutic touch, and guided movement to help clients release stored trauma and tension from their bodies.
Grounding Practices: We teach grounding exercises that help clients feel more connected to their bodies and the present moment. This can include practices like mindful walking, grounding postures, and sensory awareness exercises.
Breathwork: We incorporate breathwork techniques to help clients manage anxiety and stress, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
Movement Therapy: We use movement-based therapies to encourage the expression and release of emotions. This can include dance, yoga, or simple physical exercises tailored to the client’s comfort level.
Integrating Somatic and Psychological Work: We work with clients to integrate bodily awareness and somatic techniques with traditional psychotherapy, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of their experiences.
Ongoing Support: We provide continuous support and guidance, helping clients to practice and incorporate somatic techniques into their daily lives for long-term benefits.
Take the First Step Toward Sustainable Change
Burnout and trauma do not have to define your future. Hartwell Counselling Therapy Group offers trauma-informed, virtual therapy for high-achieving adults who are ready to move out of survival mode and into meaningful change.
Sessions are available online for clients in Alberta, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Ontario. Care is personalized, confidential, and designed to fit demanding professional lives.