Whether you’re new to Somatic Therapy or an experienced practitioner looking for a refresher, this training is for you.

Join in-demand trainer Stacy Ruse, LPC as she guides you through the core principles and techniques of Somatic Therapy.

In this course, Stacy will explain the why behind somatic healing in clear, accessible terms and better still, offer practical tools you can immediately implement with your clients.

When you enroll, you’ll learn:

• Key strategies for effectively assessing and understanding your clients’ body awareness
• Techniques to help clients release stored tension and trauma through body-focused interventions
• How to work with emotional blocks and somatic defenses
• Practical approaches for creating safety and trust in the therapeutic relationship
• How to integrate somatic practices into your sessions for lasting transformation

Designed to be beginner-friendly, yet rich in actionable techniques and insights, this course will empower you to integrate somatic therapy into your practice with confidence.

Sign up today and start using somatic tools to transform you work with clients!

Objectives

1. Define how trauma disrupts natural adaptive processing.
2. Utilize Polyvagal Theory concepts to create a sense of safety and connection in therapy.
3. Examine foundational somatic techniques, including interoceptive awareness, titration, sequencing, and somatic repatterning.
4. Choose somatic interventions clients can use when they are in acute distress.
5. Develop emotional regulation in clients using body-based tools and mindfulness practices.
6. Arrange a safe therapeutic environment to prevent re-traumatization of clients.
7. Identify risks and potential limitations of somatic techniques in the treatment of trauma.

Outline Foundations of Somatic Therapy and Trauma

• Introduction to Somatic Therapy:
  • Overview, goals, and importance in trauma treatment
• Understanding Trauma Disruption:
  • Pathology of maladaptive trauma storage
  • Emotional, sensory, and belief manifestations
  • Fragmentation and dissociation
  • Neural network reinforcement in unprocessed trauma
• Natural vs. Incomplete Stress Responses:
  • Key concepts of adaptive resolution vs. frozen trauma states

The Neuroscience of Trauma

• Polyvagal Theory Basics:
  • Ventral vagal complex and its role in safety and connection
  • Hyperarousal vs. hypoarousal in trauma
• Head, heart, and gut “brains”
• Psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune system interrelation
• Neuroception: Recognize safety and danger
  • Create safety in therapy
  • Reduce hyperarousal and build trust
  • Prevent re-traumatization
• Emotional Regulation and Resilience:
  • Techniques to buffer stress and traumatic memories
  • Empower clients to take an active role in their healing journey
• Interoceptive Awareness: Develop self-awareness through bodily sensations

The Somatic Practices and Techniques Toolbox

• Heart Coherence Understanding and Practice
• Core Somatic Practices:
  • Two hand techniques
  • Mind body awareness
  • Breathing exercises, body scans, and paired muscle relaxation
  • Gentle touch and heart-focused compassion practices
• The Science of Embodiment Practices:
  • Interoception, exteroception, and proprioception
  • Body awareness and empowerment through movement
  • William Reich’s body armor and belts of tension
• Somatic Trauma Processing:
  • Pendulation, titration, sequencing, and repatterning: Techniques for releasing stored trauma
  • Somatic Questions
  • Slow conscious movement and breathwork for release
  • Lack of body awareness and other issues

Integration and Research

• Tailor techniques to individual client needs
• Integration in clinical practice and with other methodologies
• Potential risks and limitations
• Q&A and wrap-up: Recap and final questions

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Physicians
• Addiction Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Other Mental Health Professionals