Mental Health

Do this to stop talking about your feelings

By 19th October 2024No Comments

I have been banging on for 15 years how trauma is stored in the body, not just in the mind. I have offended many of my friends and colleagues who do talk therapy. By stating its limitations and even uselessness. While discussing traumatic events may help clients understand their experiences cognitively, it doesn’t always access the deep, unconscious patterns of physical tension and dysregulation that trauma can create in the nervous system.

This is why Naturo therapists use Somatic Experiencing (SE) over traditional talk therapy. Purely because it is seriously bloody effective!

Over the years through trail, error and observation of hundreds of patients, along with my own wellness journey. I have concluded that SE is influenced by the best of parts of work by psycho-juggernauts Freud and Jung. Particularly through their ideas on the unconscious and the body’s role in psychological processes. For those who have studied the origins of psychotherapy I will explain SE with reference to Freudian and Jungian psychology below.

Here’s how their work connects to SE:

Freud’s Repressed Memories and the Unconscious Mind:

Freud’s exploration of the unconscious mind absolutely laid the groundwork for understanding how unresolved trauma and emotional conflicts are stored outside of conscious awareness. In SE, trauma is often “stuck” in the body and nervous system, operating outside of conscious awareness. Freud’s focus on repressed memories—emotional experiences that are buried in the unconscious because they are too painful—aligns with SE’s notion that trauma isn’t always fully processed by the mind but instead manifests in bodily sensations and physical symptoms. SE builds on Freud’s work by recognising that not all trauma can be resolved through verbal exploration alone; the body must also be addressed.

Jung’s Collective Unconscious and Shadow Work:

Jung’s work, especially his focus on the collective unconscious and the role of symbols and archetypes, influenced the way SE therapists approach the body-mind connection. Jung believed that the psyche was deeply interconnected with the body, and that unresolved conflicts could manifest physically, as disease. This imparts into The Naturo Method philosophy and is the reason why quantum coaching, alongside Naturo therapy is incredibly effective. Jung also emphasised the importance of shadow work. Simply put exploring parts of the self that are hidden or rejected. Which ties into SE’s exploration of physical and emotional responses that lie beneath conscious awareness.

Both Freud and Jung acknowledged that trauma can be deeply buried in the unconscious mind and body, concepts central to SE’s goal of accessing and resolving these deep-seated patterns. What’s really cool is that SE expands on these ideas by using the body as a direct pathway to work with the unconscious mind.

Unstuck yourself

SE focuses on body awareness and the natural ability of the body to regulate itself. Which again fits perfectly with Real Naturo philosophy; to create an environment for healing and self regulation.

Trauma responses often get “stuck” in the body, leading to chronic stress, anxiety, and other physical symptoms. SE allows the body to gradually release this stored energy by working with subtle physical sensations rather than diving into the traumatic narrative, which can re-trigger or overwhelm clients. It promotes gentle, incremental healing (titration) that helps the nervous system return to balance without re-traumatisation.

I’m not traumatised, Why do I need Naturo therapy?

To a degree, everyone carries a level of stored trauma in their bodies. Trauma isn’t only the result of extreme events like accidents or abuse; everyday stress, emotional pain, or overwhelming experiences can also create “stuck” responses in the nervous system. Naturo therapy helps individuals gently release this stored trauma by tuning into the body’s sensations, allowing for deeper healing and restoration of the nervous system’s natural balance.

While everyday minor traumas are not as extreme as major traumatic events. They can still accumulate and affect a person’s well-being. Some relatable examples include:

  1. Criticism or Rejection: Being harshly criticized by a boss, teacher, or loved one can create feelings of shame or self-doubt.
  2. Embarrassment: Moments of public embarrassment, like making a mistake in front of a group, can create lasting discomfort or anxiety.
  3. Conflict in Relationships: Regular arguments or emotional tension in relationships, even if not physically harmful, can be a source of stress.
  4. Work or Academic Pressure: Constant stress from meeting deadlines or performing under pressure can lead to burnout, chronic anxiety, or a sense of inadequacy.
  5. Bullying or Teasing: Even mild teasing or exclusion in childhood or adulthood can leave emotional scars and affect self-esteem.
  6. Minor Accidents: Experiences like slipping and falling, car fender benders, or sports injuries can cause the body to hold tension or hypervigilance, especially if the response wasn’t fully processed.
  7. Loss of a Pet or Object: The death of a beloved pet or losing something sentimental, while not life-threatening, can still lead to feelings of grief or sadness.
  8. Unmet Emotional Needs in Childhood: Consistently feeling ignored, invalidated, or unappreciated can create underlying feelings of insecurity or disconnection.

These seemingly “minor” traumas can accumulate over time, impacting emotional regulation and physical health.

Compartmentalise your feelings in therapy

In today’s culture, there’s immense pressure to constantly focus on how we feel. Without somatic techniques this is a self obsessed heady cycle.Leading to emotional overwhelm or self-absorption.. Constantly reflecting on how you feel (without feeling into your body), combined with frequent dopamine hits from social media or instant gratification, overloads your brain. This cycle exhausts mental energy, making it harder to focus, think clearly and regulate emotions. Over time, it can negatively impact both mental capacity and overall health. Resulting in a sick culture that fluxes between woke and nihilistic. If only people knew that simple Naturo therapy is the remedy.

Book a session

Here are some useful references on Somatic Experiencing and stored trauma:

  1. Levine, P. A. (1997).Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.
    • This foundational book by Dr. Peter Levine outlines the principles of Somatic Experiencing and explains how trauma impacts the body and how to resolve it through body-focused therapy.
  2. Levine, P. A. & Frederick, A. (2010).Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body. Sounds True.
    • This work further explores trauma’s effects on the body and offers practical exercises and insights into SE’s therapeutic process.
  3. Van der Kolk, B. (2014).The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.
    • Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s book highlights the role of the body in trauma recovery and aligns with the principles of Somatic Experiencing, demonstrating how trauma is stored and processed in the body.
  4. Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006).Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy. W. W. Norton & Company.
    • This book presents another body-centered approach to healing trauma, closely related to SE, with emphasis on the mind-body connection.
  5. Scaer, R. C. (2005).The Trauma Spectrum: Hidden Wounds and Human Resiliency. W. W. Norton & Company.
    • Scaer provides insights into how trauma affects the nervous system, including less obvious, everyday traumas, supporting the idea that trauma can be stored in all of us.

These resources provide comprehensive insights into how trauma affects the body and how therapies like SE can be used for healing.

Read More about the Naturo Method for health and happiness

Chloé Silverman

Chloé Silverman

Founder of Real Naturo. Naturopath. Yoga Therapist

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