What is Somatic Psychology and how does it relate to the world of work?

Somatic Psychology has actually been around for at least 50 years, if not more like a century.  It is also known as body psychology, or body-centered psychology.

I like to think of 'traditional' psychology as addressing people at a 'neck-up' level, where you really do a lot of talking.  The problem with that?  We are not just brains.  We have hearts and guts and whole bodies that move.   And, as I've heard it said, "the issues are in the tissues."  Our history resides in our muscles and bones, our tissues, our cells. 

Somatic psychology takes into account the whole person.  It recognizes the unity of body, mind, and spirit. 

As I understand it, the term 'soma' refers to the body experienced from the inside.  Thomas Hanna described it as "the body as perceived from within by first-person perception."  To me, our own self-perception includes thoughts, emotions, and sensations. 

In somatic psychology, a client would be encouraged to experience his or her body as a resource. In a session, being 'in the moment' is vital, and by attending to what is happening moment-to-moment, a client gains awareness of his or her own experience.  The body tells the truth, and by focusing on sensations, tensions, finding relaxation, using breath, a movement, inner wisdom can come to the surface. 

I think the European Association of Body Psychotherapy does a nice job of explaining this concept behind Somatic Psychology, even though they call it something a bit different. 

So...how does somatic psychology relate to the world of work?

For me, it's all about some core beliefs that the field has helped me to realize:

1. When we move, we change.
2. Paying attention to our bodies helps bring us into the present moment.
3. Being present feels good -- and we deserve to feel that way at work!
4. Our aliveness and alignment resides in the body -- when we attune to our body, we can feel alive and aligned in work, in play, in relationships, and in all aspects of our lives.
5. When we are dissatisfied with our work, we can turn inwards and trust that our body will give us the messages we need about how to change.
6. Our gut and our heart both have vital messages, if we can learn to listen to them.
7. To inform any change, we can pay attention to our emotions as well as to how our energy feels.  Simply put, we can ask:  "Does this feel good to me?"

Lots more to come on the topic of body and work.  I believe it's vital to embody the work you love, the work that expresses who you are. 

And, I'm committed to teaching others how to do it.  That's part of who I am. 

Deep breath. 

Comments

[Amy Gahran]

Hi. I just discovered this posting.

I was wondering if any psychotherapists combine massage therapy or rolfing with psychotherapy?

- Amy Gahran

[Susan Bernstein]

Hi Amy:

Interestingly, many somatically trained psychotherapists do not combine massage or rolfing or other touch directly into the sessions. Part of that has to do with licensure. In California, where I live, the licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist makes it tricky to also do touch therapies in sessions with clients. One of the big concerns is the relationship between therapist and client, where the therapist may be seen as having more power, and could theoretically do something psychically (ie, damaging the psyche) abusive to the client, even with gentle touch. Some therapists will do separate sessions, not blending the two modalities in a single session, to avoid legal and boundary issues. And, some therapists bring in a little touch, such as in Bioenergetics work. And, there are therapies like Biodynamic Massage & Psychotherapy (more popular in Europe than in the US) that does not prepare a person to be a psychotherapist (which is a state-sponsored designation, anyway, including an examination and meeting a rigorous set of standards for education and internship) but can be very beneficial.

If you are considering blending the two, I'd suggest you look into the legal implications as well as the potential benefits and detriments from the client perspective.

Your question is a good one, worth investigating. I'd encourage you to talk to therapists and schools and learn more.

Hope this all helps!

[Amy Gahran]

Thanks Susan for looking into this. :-)

- Amy Gahran

[monica]

I have a B.A in Psychology & Philsoophy and am currently working on getting my massage therapy license in Ohio. I plan to get my MS in Somatic Psychology, as I feel we do hold our 'issues in our tisues'...however, I want to have the ability to combine the two...psychotherapy & bodywork...as I assess someone from the neck up, I feel their bodywork session will be much more therapeutic, psycholgicaly as well as physically....do you know of anyone currently practicing this kind of therapy?

[Susan Bernstein]

Hi Monica:

See my previous note about becoming a licensed psychotherapist, and the issues around touch.

Other modalities that blend psychological with physical would include:
* Rosen Bodywork
* Biodynamic Massage & Psychotherapy

I encourage you to read Mirka Knaster's "Discovering the Body's Wisdom" as a way to learn more along these lines.

Good luck!

With care,
Susan

Susan Bernstein, MBA MA
Life, Career & Money Coach
Work from Within, LLC
Create the life you want, from the inside out!
http://www.WorkFromWithin.com

[Lydia Serwaa]

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I found your article interesting and wondering if you could please explain what is meant by "psychosomatic illness" and if possible elaborate in one or two paragraphs what the illness really means and and some of the impact it can have on the individual person as well as that of their families?. What could be a good literature to be recommended for further enquiry on the illness?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Lydia Serwaa
Student Nurse

[Joan Brooks]

Ms. Bernstein, I came upon this "conversation" while Googling "somatic psychology". I wanted to let you know about the Rubenfeld Synergy Method (RSM) – www.rubenfeldsynergy.com – which Ilana Rubenfeld developed over 40 years ago. RSM is the most powerful modality that I know of (I’ve experienced many, but am somewhat prejudiced as I am a Rubenfeld Synergist) that combines talk and touch. This not massage or rolfing, rather it is deep listening by both the Synergist and client, that can only happen when touch is involved. As you stated, the body tells the truth and stores not only our emotions and memories, but also our own wisdom and thruth. Touch helps clients access all of this.

You were right on when you said somatic psychology is the wave of the future, and Ilana has taken that wave further and deeper than anyone else.

I am in starting graduate school soon at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute – www.sbgi.edu. I have enrolled in the PhD in Clinical Psychology program, with a specialty in Somatic Psychology. I chose this school for that reason.

If you would like any other information, please let me know.

Joan M. Brooks

WCG

703 726-4443

[Cara Fletcher]

If massage therapy is combined with psycho therapy I think the result will be great because with the massage people will feel more relaxed and this way the session would be more successful.

[Nissa]

Hello,
I have recently begun my career as a practicing school psychologist within a public school system and it has become apparent that the "neck up" approach to therapy is ignoring the needs of many of my students. I am interested in going back to school in order to obtain training within the somatic psychology field. Would you please provide me with some information regarding reputable universities and training programs?
Thanks so much,
Nissa

[Susan Bernstein]

Nissa:

Wonderful that you are looking into somatic psychology programs! The ones I'm aware of are...

* Santa Barbara Graduate Institute (www.sbgi.edu) -- this is the school where I received my MA and am finishing my PhD in Somatic Psychology.

* John F. Kennedy University (www.jfku.edu) in the San Francisco Bay Area

* California Institute of Integral Studies (www.ciis.edu) in San Francisco

* Naropa University (www.naropa.edu) in Boulder, Colorado.

I wish you well in your holistic pursuits!

With care,
Susan

Susan Bernstein
Coach, Speaker & Author
www.WorkFromWithin.com
Work From Within, LLC

[Ryre Cornish]

Hi Susan

I have recently moved to the UK from South Africa and was wandering where I could study my Masters in Somatic psychology in the UK? It is not offered in South Africa and so far I have only found info at US universities..could you help me with this??

[Susan Bernstein]

Hi Ryre:

I have to admit I'm not very familiar with MA programs outside the US, but I would encourage you to look on the website of the European Association for Body Psychotherapy, www.eabp.org

Good luck!
Susan

[Nicole]

Aloha Susan,

I was wondering what your favorite book on Somatic Psychology is and if there's a book that you feel gives a "taste" of the program at SBGI. I am planning on applying and want to make sure it truly is what I want to spend more years studying.
Gotta tell you though that my gut sure says "Yes!!!"

Thanks for your great site!
Nicole

[Dr. Susan Bernstein]

Wow, great question, Nicole:

My fave Somatic Psychology-related books are:
* Natural Intelligence - Susan Aposhyan
* Getting in Touch - Christine Caldwell
* Body Process - Jim Kepner
* Discovering the Body's Wisdom - Mirka Knaster

Happy reading...hope you feel that embodied YES!

With care,
Susan

[Katie]

Hi, I am a high school student who is very interested in pursing a career as a therapist. I'm finding it difficult to find out about different fields and the options available to me, (schools? Degrees?) is there any resource you can recommend to me that would help me find more information?

Thanks very much
-Katie

[Dr. Susan Bernstein]

Wow, Katie:

I would encourage you to start at your local public library, and get a Peterson's Guide to Graduate Schools. Your librarian can probably help you to find that guide and you can look through it to find programs. Most states require a masters degree to be a psychotherapist, if that's your goal.

Wishing you well,
Susan