Can Somatic Therapy Be Done Online?

Natalie Cooney
Jun 20
6 min read

You better believe it, yes–Somatic Therapy can be done online!

We do therapy a little bit differently by approaching healing from a whole-person: heart, mind, body, and spirit approach. Many people seek this type of work from providers in person, thinking it is better or more effective to be in the same room. Alas, we have found that doing deep work can happen wonderfully through online therapy, especially doing integrative somatic psychotherapy. This work, looking at the bio-psycho-sexual-relational, is the road map and key for reaching your growth goals.

A calm setup for online therapy in Colorado, showing a cozy space ideal for somatic healing therapy in Golden, CO with an experienced somatic therapist in Golden, CO.

You can do a variety of different types of therapy online. We do Somatic Therapy, EMDR, IFS and Parts work, Ketamine Assisted Therapy, Couples Therapy, Relationship healing, Hypnotherapy, and Intensives here at Compass Healing Project, and guess what…we do it online! The online offerings are integral and adjunct to our in-person locations in Golden, CO, and San Diego, CA.

If you’ve ever wondered if you can do good somatic therapy online, let this article be your exploration guide to online integrative somatic therapy!

What is Somatic Experiencing?

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a form of therapy that involves the body (soma) but not in the way you might expect. It is still very close to what you think of when you think of therapy, but with more attention to all the different sensations happening physically in your body. SE is an effective and unique approach to healing complex PTSD or trauma. While SE uses lots of signals from the body, it is still very much accessible for online therapy clients.

Many practitioners now offer remote sessions on common platforms like Zoom or Simple Practice. Most therapists who provide online somatic sessions are very much aware of the differences from in-person therapy. These therapists will make decisions with the goal of their online clients getting the same level of care and attention.

While SE traditionally involves in-person interaction to help the therapist observe subtle physical cues, many core techniques in addition to the fundamentals of relational felt sense tracking, such as grounding, tracking sensations, and regulating the nervous system, can be effectively guided through virtual sessions. If there is a moment when a physical exercise can be useful, this can be guided and taught virtually.

What to Expect From an Online Somatic Therapy Session:

You're probably asking yourself, “How would this even work?” or “How am I supposed to regulate my nervous system online?” Let's walk through what you might expect in a typical first-time SE therapy session. Every therapist is different and may adjust the structure of a session based on what you might need.

I'll list some basic Somatic tools that would likely be used or taught in a Somatic therapy session.

Body Scans are a great tool that can be taught online.

You can think of it as your brain scanning your body for any physical sensations worth noticing. Noticing these sensations in itself can ease tension in the body and bring more internal understanding to the client.

Another important step when getting ready for a session would be to set the scene.

Turn on the fireplace, grab your favorite blanket, light a candle, and get comfortable. This can make a huge difference in our internal world already and is a stunning way to enter an online Somatic session. Not only will this provide comfort, but being in tune with your surroundings can start to naturally ground the system.

Grounding is my personal favorite technique used in Somatic psychotherapy.

Have you ever felt fuzzy or hazy? Maybe you're perfectly functioning, but there's a grey fog over everything. Grounding will clear the skies. This tool helps you notice the things around you and truly tune into your environment, heightening sensations, allowing you to be present, and clearing the fog.

Exploring your emotions and sensations.

Expect to explore your goals and symptoms while being asked to pause and feel your sensations, emotions and inner landscape, or orient, or feel your feet on the ground.

A conceptual illustration of emotional awareness and nervous system regulation—core elements of somatic trauma therapy in Golden, CO and online therapy in Colorado with a somatic therapist in Golden, CO.

The therapist might ask “as you talk about that, what are you sensing?” as a typical starting off point.

Overcoming trauma responses.

The somatic therapist is trained to help guide you, over time, out of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. They will work closely with you to de-center the imprint of trauma in your nervous system and re-center safety, calm, and relief. This may be through processing traumatic imprints and/or turning on your ability to regulate your nervous system in a healthy way.

The best thing about trying out SE online is that this style of therapy is very gentle on the body.

SE Therapists have been trained to understand what is too much for the nervous system. This makes those first appointments significantly less intimidating.

The world of SE is vast. There are many different books, articles, and general information out there. I do encourage you to look into these things, as the introduction to this kind of therapy can be healing in itself. Experiencing these concepts for the first time, whether online or in person, can create a ripple effect of healing that is profound.

One of the basic principles is acknowledging that some traumas can lead to a consistent state of distress in the body. It's the constant stress that can cause physical symptoms. This groundbreaking concept is very alarming in itself. We all know about stress headaches or that one relative who gives you heartburn. For people suffering daily with what seems like no explanation, Somatic therapy can be life-changing. It is so important to us that this kind of support be given online as a way to increase accessibility, and we feel confident in how useful and helpful it is being offered online.

“Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort. Their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs, and, in an attempt to control these processes, they often become expert at ignoring their gut feelings and in numbing awareness of what is played out inside. They learn to hide from their selves.” (p.97)”

― Bessel A. van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

What are the Benefits of Online Somatic Therapy?

Accessibility: If location is the main reason you haven't been able to try out Somatic therapy, online sessions with an SE therapist are a great option. It can also be an amazing solution for people with no means of transportation or the desire to meet with a therapist a little farther away than practical.
Comfort: There is something about meeting a new therapist and going to a new office that can be nerve-wrecking in itself. Maybe this is your first time ever seeing a therapist, and you're unsure about parking and whether to knock or go straight in. Starting online provides a baseline of comfort that can be incredibly beneficial.
Continuity: Meeting online can be more accessible for busy schedules. Depending on the therapist’s schedule, weekends and evening sessions are less likely to interrupt therapy office hours. It can be so important to start out with consistent sessions, as this work can be difficult, and support will make all the difference.

Things to Consider:

A stable internet connection is vital in order for online therapy to feel relaxed and effective. You want a stable connection. If this isn't the reality of your situation, there are many ways to upgrade that are also cost-effective, like investing in a new router or connecting to your router directly.
Privacy in your physical space is essential for deep emotional work. Although not ideal, I know many people who have had great success attending therapy from their car. Another option is a big, open park with good service. My personal favorite is a beautiful sounding noise machine right outside the door where you are having the therapy session. This strategy is equally as private as it is relaxing.
Choosing a Somatic Therapist who offers online sessions is critical. You want a therapist who is experienced in Somatic Experiencing as well as online therapy. Attending online can open up the roster of available therapists as well. Imagine finding a somatic therapist that fits so well with what you need, and then finding out they are 4 hours away.

Is Somatic Therapy Online Right for Me?

Are you someone with a constant drum of anxiety and discomfort? Do new experiences intimidate you? Does leaving the house ever feel like climbing a mountain? If this sounds like you, somatic therapy online would be a great fit for you. Imagine someone assisting you in calming the internal anxieties and emotional discomfort, all while having tea in your favorite mug or petting your beloved cat who's been there through it all.

A somatic therapist in Golden, CO takes notes during a virtual session, representing the integrative nature of somatic therapy in Golden, CO and its effectiveness through online therapy in Colorado.

It's true, Somatic therapy has many differences from talk therapy. I would say the unique combination of focus on the body and physical sensations in the client's preferred comfortable environment can create an ideal cocktail for people struggling with Intense trauma and discomfort. Especially when that previous trauma can be triggered by new experiences or even just leaving the house.

“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives.”