Somatic experiencing therapy online with Talkspace

Somatic therapy works from the principle that focusing on a mind-body connection can be a means of healing trauma. Using a combination of traditional talk therapy and bringing awareness to physical sensations, somatic therapy may address and help heal conditions like chronic pain, PTSD, and physical and emotional stress.

Generally, somatic therapy can be used to help address symptoms of various mental health concerns, including:

• Chronic stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief
• Addiction
• Trauma
• Relationship problems
• Sexual function

Somatic therapy can be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, but tends to work especially well for those coping with trauma, chronic pain, or physical and emotional stress. Somatic experiencing therapy can be an effective treatment for individuals suffering from long standing challenges like developmental trauma or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as for people who are processing a singular traumatic event.

Yes, Talkspace has licensed mental health care providers who specialize in a variety of therapy approaches. Talkspace has therapists who use somatic therapy in their practice.

If your insurance covers behavioral therapy treatment, it will likely cover somatic therapy. Many insurance plans now offer coverage for mental health services which include different therapy approaches like somatic therapy. However, the only way to know for sure is to check with your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage details. If you’re looking for online therapy and psychiatry that accepts insurance, check your own insurance eligibility with Talkspace.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan that covers mental health services, you can also pay with an FSA/HSA card, or ask your employer about therapy support through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Yes, you can do somatic therapy online, and some people actually prefer somatic therapy from the comfort of home. With Talkspace online therapy, users can send unlimited written, video, and audio messages to their dedicated therapists in a secure chat room – from anywhere, at any time. Therapists respond daily on weekdays, and many choose to include weekends in their therapy schedules.

You can also select from one of three unique formats for your live sessions when you register: by video, by audio, and now, by live chat with your provider in real time, for the duration of your live session. Enjoy the same quality of care, now with the convenience and flexibility of typing and chatting with your provider in the Talkspace app.

Somatic therapy aims to address both physical and mental health at the same time, allowing you to find relief faster. Somatic experience therapy’s purpose is to help a person recognize bodily sensations related to mental health issues and utilize that awareness to move through painful feelings and emotions.

Over time, somatic trauma healing therapy aims to help individuals become more aware of their body and learn somatic therapy techniques to release physical tension. These can include:

• Breathing exercises
• Sensation awareness
• Physical exercise
• Massage
• Dance therapy
• Grounding exercises

Online somatic therapy can be effective. In 2017, the first randomized controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of somatic psychotherapy for treating PTSD, and found that it does have positive benefits as a treatment option. However, the study had some limitations, as does some other research on PTSD.

To get started, find a licensed and experienced mental health professional with training in somatic therapy techniques. Your first few online therapy sessions are an opportunity for you and your therapist to connect and get to know one another. From there, your somatic experiencing therapist will guide you through various exercises to help you connect with your bodily sensations and release tension or trauma. These techniques can include breathing exercises for anxiety, sensation awareness, and more.