What is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body-based talk therapy that integrates current neuroscience findings to transform traumatic memories into strengths and resources. It addresses both developmental trauma and acute trauma, such as sexual abuse, violence, or verbal abuse. As a sensorimotor therapist, I go beyond traditional talk therapy by using the body as a primary entry point to understand and work through the challenges you’re experiencing.
“Whatever the mind suppresses, the body expresses.”
Our past and present experiences shape not only our thoughts and emotions but also our brains and bodies. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a therapy approach that integrates mind and body to address symptoms like anxiety, depression, trauma, and feeling stuck. Research shows that unprocessed bodily responses contribute to these issues, particularly affecting the nervous system.
In Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, the body is a key entry point for healing. During sessions, we’ll discuss what’s on your mind while also focusing on your emotions, bodily sensations, and behaviors. I may guide you to notice physical sensations or movements that accompany your feelings and provide somatic exercises.
As your nervous system calms, emotional and cognitive processing becomes easier, allowing us to reprocess traumatic events safely. You'll also learn tools to manage and cope with triggers effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I believe that anyone who is having difficulties in their life, such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, anger management, inability to maintain meaningful relationships could benefit from SP.
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Therapy sessions vary widely. They depend on the needs of the client and the capacity to process traumatic material. If a client wants to speak about a traumatic incident, for example witnessing a fight between parents, I would ask the client to recall up to a few moments before the actual incident.
I would then help the client get into a mindful state by asking them to notice certain things: If they are upset, what is it in their body that tells them they are upset? Is it a tightening in the stomach? Or a dark feeling in the chest? Then I would ask the client to focus on those sensations, and by observing the client’s gestures and postures, find out what movement the client would have liked to have made, but couldn’t.
The goal in trauma reprocessing is for the client to complete truncated defenses such as Fight/Flight/Freeze responses, thus giving them an experience of triumph, which they can savor and integrate into their nervous system. I might then work with the client to complete the process by speaking to the younger self of the client, saying something like, “Look at your younger self in your mind’s eye, I’m going to say some words in a moment, and I want you to just notice how your younger self responds.” Speaking slowly, saying, “I don’t know why your parents were fighting, but I do know that all little children deserve to feel safe and secure in their home.”
There are three phases in sensorimotor psychotherapy:
Stabilization and symptom reduction
Working with traumatic memory
Re-integration
The majority of my clients begin with the phase one, developing skills for regulating the nervous system, behavior, and emotion.
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If you are interested in the research on the effectiveness of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, read here.
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We will collaboratively discuss your concerns, wishes, and goals in therapy after an assessment session to determine if SP is right for you.
I integrate Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with other trauma-based interventions, including Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Exposure-Based Therapy (PE), Mindfulness-based and CBT based approaches.
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Depending on your needs and goals, therapy can range from 20 to 50 sessions. Since my practice is part-time, I work with a select few clients seeking a long-term therapist. I recommend starting with weekly sessions to practice new skills, deepen self-awareness, and make meaningful behavioral changes. Gradually, as progress is made, the frequency of sessions can be reduced. However, infrequent sessions may slow the change process.
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Yes, I have successfully provided Sensorimotor Psychotherapy online. To ensure effectiveness, I ask clients to adjust their camera so I can view the upper body and head area. The only requirements are a secure internet connection and a private, confidential space where you can attend your sessions from wherever you are.
Let’s get to know each other.
If my therapeutic approach resonates with you, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation call. This is a chance for us to connect, discuss what brings you to therapy, ask any questions you may have, and explore how we might work together.