Is what we mean by “Somatic Psychotherapy” changing?
The term “Somatic Psychotherapy” has evolved over time to an umbrella term that can include various schools of psychotherapy.
It no longer accurately describes the therapy that I trained in, which was based mainly on the findings of Gerda Boyesen, David Boadella and Wilhelm Reich, and which developed as a reaction to mainstream psychology and psychotherapy.
So how do we define “somatic psychotherapy”, given that today it is not the same as it was when the term originated?
There is no one definition that applies accurately to all the schools of therapy that claim to be somatic psychotherapy. That is why it is necessary to specify what we mean by “somatic psychotherapy”, and also which particular school or schools we are referring to.
Why is this important?
It’s important because when potential clients and practitioners use this term, they may not be referring to the same process. So let me begin by explaining, as clearly as I can, what I mean when I use this term, and the important ways in which it differs from other schools and approaches to therapy.
In my previous articles on somatic psychotherapy and on the History and Purpose of Somatic Psychotherapy I talk about some of the schools that I’m familiar with, and what I believe to be essential qualities of emotional learning and healing.
When we feel safe to experience, as fully or partially as we’re ready to, whatever it is that is happening in the moment, without moral judgement, our experience will lead us to where we need to go.
Sometimes we need to move, sometimes we need to be still. Sometimes cognitive understanding helps, sometimes it gets in the way.
In this article I would like to explain (1)why I believe that the practitioner’s own personal therapy is essential both before and during their training, and (2) how core development developed from and differs from somatic psychotherapy.
First of all, when you experience the process yourself, your understanding comes from lived experience in addition to reading and hearing other people’s accounts.
This will give you a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the ups and downs of the healing journey, and reinforce your trust not only in achieving desired outcomes, but also in the importance and value of the journey itself.
Secondly and even more important, our perceptions are influenced by our beliefs, values, feelings and life experience, and they are distorted by unresolved emotional charge. In the words of Dr Wilhelm Reich, “we perceive through our armouring”.
Good therapy will help us deal effectively with our own cognitive and emotional issues and trauma, and become aware of any cognitive dissonance, which refers to beliefs that are held so strongly that we are unable to change them even in the face of clear evidence that they do not apply to the present.
Emotional learning that works on both the content and the emotional charge will highlight and uncover attitudes and biases that we are not consciously aware of, and facilitate emotional discharge, integration and balance.
This enables us to know ourselves better and understand and empathise with our clients’ perception and experiences more accurately. It will also reveal hidden strengths that can help us both personally and professionally.
Personal learning and healing sessions before and during training will also make it less likely that we will experience “vicarious trauma”, ie that we will be traumatised by some aspects of the training and by our clients’ accounts of their traumatic experiences. And if we are triggered anyway, continuing with our own personal sessions will likely be very helpful.
How did core development evolve from somatic psychotherapy?
Core Development is based on the principles of the original somatic psychotherapies however it is not a clinical process. It is a learning process.
It does not diagnose character structures or personality types, instead it looks for what’s trying to happen and what is getting in the way, without pathologising.
It is not a substitute for clinical and pathological based therapy. It often works when other therapies don’t, however in some cases medical or clinical attention may be required.
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