Are you in search for a new therapist? Are you interested in seeing if somatic therapy is a good fit for you? I am glad you are taking this step, in this article we'll talk about what to look for in a Somatic Therapist and what to expect from the process.

What to Look for in a Somatic Therapist
When looking for a somatic therapist you want to keep an eye out for someone trained in some form of Somatic Therapy. There are all sorts of somatic therapists out there. Some are body workers, some are coaches, and others are licensed mental health professionals. Start here, with what you think is best for you. All these options are needed, decide what kind you want.
Starting with the type of professional that would work best for you will give you a canvas to paint on. Some somatic therapists are self-taught and others are formally trained. There are no governing boards for somatic therapy. Sussing out the level of training and experience someone has can easily be found on someone's website or during an initial free consult call. Licensed Psychotherapists, or therapists accruing post-graduate hours, have at least a master's degree. They went through rigorous clinical supervision and training. Bodyworkers are regulated by licensure boards. They have gone through extensive training and apprenticeship. By the time they are offering somatic therapies, they have significant experience in their field. Coaches are not regulated by any licensure boards. Coaches are often people with experience and trade-like certificates.
Once you have asked around, done some research, and found some potential helpers for you, look to see if they work with the themes or issues you want support around.
Key Questions to Ask a Potential Somatic Therapist
In summary of this first stage of finding your person, here are some questions to ask the provider. You have a right to a free discovery or consult call:
1. I am looking for someone who has experience working with _____, do you work with this and what might your process look like?
2. Can you tell me about your somatic therapy training and experience?
3. How will somatic therapy be different from talk therapy?
Finding the Right Fit with a Somatic Therapist
When you are doing work with a somatic therapist, the process may feel different from the way you've previously experienced therapy. Because it is slightly different, you'll want to make sure you feel your potential provider feels like a good fit. The "good fit" feel usually has a sense of flow and an "easy to talk to" experience. The "good fit" also gives the client a sense of confidence that this provider knows or has a plan for the path ahead.
When looking for a somatic therapist look for:
Someone who has formal training in somatics is currently being trained, or supervised in Somatic Therapy. OR someone with a few years under their belt in somatic therapy.
Someone you can talk to! Successful therapy is largely part of the therapeutic relationship. Is this someone who listens well? Can they co-create a plan with me? Can I learn to be vulnerable with this person?
Someone non-judgmental, open, and curious
Someone informed about your sexual orientation, gender, or relationship lifestyle.
Someone you sense as grounded and settled. Remember, you are going to be co-regulating with them!
Someone with experience with what you want support around or where you want to end up.

What to Expect From a Somatic Therapist
You can expect a well-trained Somatic Therapist to be oriented to your goals. Goals like dating, better relationships, improved sleep, decreased anxiety or depression, or trauma resolution are good examples. You and the somatic therapist can create a plan based off of our goals.
Stage One
In the initial stage of somatic therapy, the focus is on building rapport, safety, stability, and gathering a history. You will explore tools, practices, or initial shifts in order to set the stage for the coming deeper work.
I call this stage of work, "getting a lay of the land" so we can build a flight plan. We need the plane to have a broken system, an engine, wings, and a pilot (amongst other things). In this stage, we explore if the nervous system needs support or resourcing before traversing longer, more demanding flights.Â
We will check on emotional regulation, nervous system functioning, and biopsychosocial issues. We have practices like grounding, orienting, felt-sense (sensation) tracking, touch practices, breath, and emotional regulation strategies to foster resilience.
Stage Two
In the second stage, we start to process deeper. We process underlying patterns, traumas, or dynamics within ourselves and our relationships. We look at what is blocking you from having the life you want, or what is contributing to continuing habits or emotional reactions. In this phase, we might include an exploration of sensations and renegotiating traumatic memories. In this stage, we work on allowing your nervous system to feel emotions and experiences that have been previously shut down or inhibited.
This phase can take as long as it takes, depending on what you want for your outcome and how extensive your goals are. Parts work (inner child therapy), attachment exploration (earned secure attachment), spirituality, EMDR, Ketamine, Couples work, hypnotherapy, and sex therapy can easily be woven into somatic therapy.
Stage Three
Finally, the somatic therapist will create space and time for the integration of the deep work. Integration is the space after challenge, that supports the reorganization of the nervous system. Integration supports the evolution of the heart-mind-body-spirit complex. Integration includes celebrating changes and honoring the transformations that are taking place. We also support the integration of your therapeutic successes into your life!
The Somatic Therapy Journey: Strengthening Mind-Body Connection
Throughout the somatic therapy journey, you can expect to hear "And what are you sensing now" quite a lot. "What sensations do you notice now" and "What do you sense as you talk about this" are also favorites for somatic therapists. This drops you below the cognitive, to the nervous system level. The tracking of the inner landscape and the sensations while we process, creates resiliency. Doing this also gives the nervous system the attention it needs to process. The somatic therapist, by asking these questions, is strengthening the link between the mind and body. Doing so creates space for helping the nervous system complete emotions and survival sequences.
When the link between the mind and body is strong, we see higher levels of emotional resilience, calm, and affect regulation.
When finding a somatic therapist and wrapping your head around what to expect on the somatic therapy journey I hope you find a good fit. Taking the step towards healing is courageous and brave. Compass Healing Project is so glad you are here, learning, exploring, and gifting yourself the opportunity to heal.

Heal With The Right Somatic Therapist in San Diego, CA
Are you ready to take the next step toward healing and reconnecting with your body through somatic therapy? At Compass Healing Project, our compassionate and experienced somatic therapists are here to support you in addressing anxiety, trauma, and emotional challenges with a personalized, mind-body approach. Find the right somatic therapist for your journey toward lasting emotional resilience and well-being! Follow these three simple steps to get started:
Reach Out and Fill out our New Client Inquiry Form to get started.
Schedule a discovery call with one of our skilled somatic therapists to discuss your needs and goals.
Begin addressing your symptoms with a somatic therapist soon!
Other Counseling Services at Compass Healing Project
At Compass Healing Project, we provide a holistic approach to therapy, incorporating a variety of modalities to address a wide range of issues. Alongside helping you address and heal from your symptoms with somatic therapy, we also offer EMDR, Clinical Sexology, hypnotherapy, ketamine-assisted therapy, and embodiment practices. These therapies are effective in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief and loss, sexuality concerns, and relationship challenges. For more information and to get to know us better, visit our blog. Our Colorado and California clinics are staffed with caring therapists who specialize in trauma resolution, emotional healing, and integrative therapy here to help you thrive.
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