As understanding of trauma’s physical and psychological effects grows, mental health professionals are seeing increased interest in body-based approaches to trauma recovery, including somatic therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy.
Traditionally, trauma treatment has largely focused on cognitive and verbal processing. However, growing research in neuroscience and psychology has highlighted the complex relationship between traumatic experiences, the nervous system and physical responses. This has contributed to wider clinical interest in approaches that address both the psychological and physiological dimensions of trauma.
Traumatic stress can be associated with persistent physical responses, including chronic tension, fatigue, digestive issues and heightened startle responses, even after the triggering event has passed. By incorporating body awareness, movement and nervous system regulation techniques alongside traditional talk therapy, practitioners aim to help individuals process trauma more comprehensively.
Somatic therapy
Somatic therapy is a body-focused approach that helps individuals become more aware of physical sensations and patterns associated with stress and trauma. Rather than relying solely on conversation, the approach may incorporate awareness of breathing, posture, movement and bodily sensations.
By helping the nervous system return to a calmer state, somatic therapy may promote emotional healing and improve an individual’s ability to manage daily challenges. It is often included as part of a broader trauma treatment plan alongside other evidence-informed therapies.
Image credit: EINPRESSWIRE
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a structured therapy that uses bilateral stimulation, including guided eye movements, to help individuals process distressing memories. It has been extensively studied and is recommended by several professional health organisations for the treatment of post-traumatic stress.
IFS Therapy
Internal Family Systems therapy views the mind as composed of different internal “parts,” some of which may take on protective or wounded roles shaped by past experiences. This therapeutic model focuses on building a compassionate relationship between a person’s core self and these internal parts, with the aim of reducing internal conflict and supporting emotional integration.
Holistic trauma therapy
Rather than relying on a single technique, many mental health professionals are adopting an integrative approach to trauma care that combines modalities such as somatic therapy, mindfulness-based practices and traditional psychotherapy. This approach aims to address the cognitive, emotional and physiological aspects of trauma simultaneously.
Trauma specialists emphasise that there is no universal treatment approach, and therapy is typically tailored based on a person’s history, symptoms, and personal preferences.
“We continue to see more people seeking care that recognizes the connection between the body and emotional health,” said Sybil Ottenstein, Founder and Clinical Director, Somatic Psychotherapy Center.
“Healing is rarely a one-size-fits-all process. A personalized approach that includes somatic therapy alongside other evidence-informed treatments gives clients the opportunity to work through trauma in a way that feels safe, gradual, and meaningful,” she added.
Practitioners describe this shift toward individualised, multimodal care as part of a broader movement within the mental health field to move beyond one-size-fits-all treatment models.
