She almost didn’t book….good thing she did.
Newsletter No. 19- February 11, 2026
A client once told me she almost didn't book a session because somatic therapy sounded "too woo-woo."
Luckily she didn’t. Three sessions later the jaw tension that was keeping her up at night was gone.
Everyone is different and I’m not promising anything, but I thought this was pretty darn cool!
I realize a lot people have no idea what Somatic Experiencing actually is.
So let's clear it up.
Harlow is thriving after receiving a few osteopathic sessions. We do one 3 km walk per week and keep the other days light. He lives for his walks. Meanwhile, Ryan and I are impatiently waiting for some snow to arrive. Hopefully soon…..
Here are 10 misconceptions about somatic therapy—and what's actually true:
1. "Somatic Experiencing is just bodywork or massage."
Somatic Experiencing® is a body-orientied therapy that resolves trauma by releasing bound survival energy. Some practitioners incorporate touch, but it's optional—never the foundation.
2. "You have to relive your trauma for it to work."
SE is designed to avoid re-traumatization. It works with small, manageable sensations (called "titration"), not full trauma replay.
3. "It's only for people with severe trauma."
SE helps with everyday stress, anxiety, chronic tension, attachment wounds, medical trauma, and burnout—not just PTSD.
4. "It's not evidence-based."
SE is grounded in neurobiology and trauma research, with growing peer-reviewed studies supporting its effectiveness.
5. "It's all about emotions, not thoughts."
SE integrates sensations, emotions, thoughts, and meaning. Cognition isn't excluded—it just doesn't lead the process.
6. "If I don't feel strong sensations, it won't work."
Subtle sensations—breath, warmth, micro-movements, impulses—are often more powerful than intense experiences.
7. "It's slow and takes forever."
While SE is gentle, many people notice shifts early on, especially in nervous system regulation and symptom relief.
8. "You need to be very 'in your body' to do it."
SE is ideal for people who feel disconnected, numb, or stuck in their head. Reconnection happens gradually and safely.
9. "It replaces other therapies."
SE complements CBT, EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, medication, and mindfulness—it's not competitive.
10. "It's woo-woo or spiritual."
SE is physiology-based, focusing on the autonomic nervous system, survival responses, and biological self-regulation. No belief system required.
Somatic Experiencing isn't about forcing emotions, reliving trauma, or abandoning talk therapy. It helps the nervous system complete what it couldn't during overwhelming experiences.
If you've been curious but hesitant, this is your nudge.
