Somatic psychotherapy is an integrative approach to healing that emphasises the connection between mind and body.
At Lette Jewell Psychotherapy, we offer somatic therapy to clients in North Fitzroy, Melbourne, and online across Australia, helping them process trauma, anxiety, grief, and stress through safe, body-focused practices.
What is Somatic Psychotherapy?
Somatic psychotherapy is a type of therapy that understands that our emotions and mental experiences are connected to our bodies. You might not notice this until you see how your body keeps track of feelings.
Things like trauma, ongoing stress, and unresolved emotions can show up in physical ways, affecting how we stand, breathe, and how our nervous system reacts. These issues can cause physical pain and feelings of being overwhelmed.
This type of therapy looks at both the body and the mind, helping people to let go of tension, manage their emotions, and feel safe again. It is especially helpful for those who feel stuck, have trouble talking about their trauma, or are dealing with ongoing stress, anxiety, or grief.
Benefits of Body-Oriented Therapy
Somatic psychotherapy offers numerous benefits, including:
Improved emotional regulation: Learn to identify and manage physiological and emotional responses to stress.
Enhanced self-awareness: Increase awareness of how emotions and body sensations are interconnected.
Trauma resolution: Release unresolved trauma safely and gradually.
Stress reduction: Reduce chronic tension, anxiety, and physical discomfort associated with stress.
Empowerment: Reclaim a sense of control and connection to your body and mind.
By integrating these benefits into daily life, clients often experience long-lasting improvements in well-being, relationships, and overall resilience.
How Trauma Lives in the Body
Trauma is not only a mental or emotional experience; it also affects the body. Physical manifestations of trauma can include:
Muscle tension or chronic pain
Shallow or irregular breathing
Jump, constant movement needed, heart flutters…. this is known as flight responses or Hyperarousal or heightened startle responses
Emotional dysregulation or dissociation
Somatic psychotherapy addresses these physiological responses through mindful body awareness, movement, and polyvagal-informed practices.
By helping the nervous system recalibrate, clients can process trauma at a deep, embodied level, reducing its long-term impact on mental and physical health.
This video is based on the ideas of Dr. Stephen Porges and Deb Dana.
Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is intended for educational and entertainment purposes and not intended as advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Always consult with your own doctor before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
What to Expect in a Session
If you're considering somatic psychotherapy, it’s essential to know what to expect during your sessions. In a somatic therapy session, you can anticipate a safe, structured, and collaborative environment designed to support your healing journey. Sessions typically include:
Gentle Awareness of Body Reactions:
Learn to recognise how your body responds to various emotions and the feelings these reactions can evoke. -
Guided Support for Sensory Assessment:
Receive assistance in identifying where specific sensations are located in your body, enhancing your self-awareness and emotional processing. -
Exploration of Bodily Sensations and Movements:
Engage in the exploration of your bodily sensations, movements, and emotions to foster a deeper understanding and promote healing. Somatic psychotherapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body.
This holistic approach can help individuals better manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges.
Whether you are looking to deepen your emotional awareness or find relief from physical tension, somatic therapy offers valuable tools for personal growth. For more information on somatic psychotherapy and its potential benefits, please don't hesitate to reach out or explore our website for additional resources.
Why Choose Somatic Psychotherapy?
Clients often report that somatic psychotherapy helps them:
Reconnect with their body and emotions
Process unresolved trauma safely
Improve emotional and physiological regulation
Reduce anxiety, stress, and physical tension
Feel more empowered and grounded in their daily lives
At Lette Jewell Psychotherapy, we combine somatic practices with trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity, and polyvagal-informed techniques, ensuring a holistic, supportive approach tailored to each client.
Somatic psychotherapy may help you slowly listen to your body’s signals.
It may help you notice when your body is looking for safety, connection, or calm, especially if you’ve experienced trauma, stress, or any other sensory overwhelm.
By paying attention to sensations, movement, breath, and instinct, this approach helps you reconnect with yourself more deeply.
It’s not just about thinking—it’s about feeling and sensing, too.
Change starts when you feel safe enough to tune in.
When your body has a voice in the process, real change can happen.
Take the First Step
If you are ready to explore somatic psychotherapy in Melbourne or online, we invite you to book a session or contact us to learn more.
Our goal is to provide a safe, affirming, and effective space for healing, growth, and transformation.