Mastering Trauma-Informed Training: What Is Somatics?

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Understanding and Applying Trauma-Informed Approach: Somatics Explained

Key Points Covered

• Understanding somatics and its relevance in mental health
• Discussion on Trauma-Informed Training
• Applications of somatics in understanding trauma
• Advantages of somatical approach in mental health practices
• Frequently Asked Questions on somatics

Trauma-informed training is a potent tool in caring for individuals who have experienced traumas and stressors that affect their mental and physical well-being. But to truly move towards healing, there is a need to understand and answer the question, "What is Somatics?". Somatics or somatic awareness is a holistic approach that emphasizes the mind, body, and spirit's interaction in achieving total wellness.

What is Somatics?

Derived from the Greek term 'soma', which translates to 'the living body', somatics encompasses the idea of wholeness and interconnection. It believes in the inseparable link between the mind and body, and holds that changes in one will inherently effect changes in the other.

Somatic practices come in different forms, all aimed at creating awareness of the body to navigate one's emotions and behavioral responses better. They involve exercises designed to improve body posture, relieve stress, increase body awareness, and optimize body function.

A well-known proponent of somatics, Thomas Hanna, said,

"The living body is a process. It is a material embodiment of human freedom.”

This freedom unfolds as individuals become conscious of their body’s process and resiliencies, enabling them to make informed choices about their health and life patterns.

Somatics in Trauma-Informed Training

Somatics holds significant importance in trauma-informed care and training. Trauma often results in long-term sensory and motor dysregulations in the body, causing survivors to suffer from physical symptoms. Somatic therapy offers a way to decipher and address these physiological changes.

Going through trauma may result in the mind 'disconnecting' from the body to cope. Somatic practices can help with reintegration, fostering mindfulness, and re-establishing connection with the body's sensations.

The trauma-informed approach, combined with somatics, allows us to understand that trauma not only leaves psychological scars but also physical ones. Recognizing and addressing both is key in providing holistic, effective trauma care.

Advantages of Applying Somatics in Mental Health Practices

Numerous benefits make the integration of somatics into mental health practice desirable. A few of them are listed below:

1. Improved Self-Awareness: Somatic practices help enhance self-awareness. It promotes recognition of bodily cues and responses, enabling individuals to intuitively regulate their emotions and behaviors.

2. Mind-Body Connection: It promotes complete wellness as it appreciates and caters to the interaction between the mind and body.

3. Physical Symptoms Alleviation: It aids in understanding and treating the physiological impacts of trauma, helping mitigate chronic pain, tension, and other physical symptoms.

4. Self-Regulation and Resilience: It enhances individuals' capacity to self-regulate, increasing resilience against stressors and mitigating the risk of re-traumatization.

5. Empowerment and Choice: It supports individual autonomy and empowerment. Practicing somatics offers the power to choose and control one's own healing journey.

At Aura Institute, we recognize the immense potential of applying somatics in mental health practice, in training therapists, and in providing care to individuals affected by trauma.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of exercises are involved in Somatic practices? Somatic exercises can involve gentle movement, deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, and other physical activities that foster body awareness.

2. How does somatics work in trauma recovery? Somatics helps in trauma recovery by assisting individuals in understanding and releasing the physical impacts of their trauma. It stresses the reconnection of the mind and body to manage trauma symptoms effectively.

3. Can anyone practice Somatics? Yes, anyone interested in improving their mind-body connection and self-awareness can benefit from somatic practices.

4. Are there any side effects to practicing Somatics? While generally safe, some somatic exercises can bring up emotional responses or cause temporary discomfort. It is always recommended to engage in somatic practices under the guidance of trained professionals, preferably within a therapeutic setting.

In sum, the integration of somatics into mental health practice offers a comprehensive, person-centered approach that values holistic healing. It enables us to understand trauma impacts better and deliver care that caters to the body and mind's intrinsic interconnection. May the exploration of the question "what is somatics?" introduce you to a new layer of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment.

Ready to start your career as a trauma informed care practitioner? Contact us at info@aurainstitute.org or (424) 400-3048 to begin your journey as a certified trauma practitioner and make a positive impact in trauma care.