TGIF | Reconnecting with Yourself: How Somatic Therapy Can Heal Your Attachment Wounds
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Hi Community,
Let's talk about something close to my heart: attachment wounds. These are the invisible scars we carry from our early relationships, the echoes of unmet needs and unspoken longings. They can show up in all sorts of ways – difficulty trusting others, fear of intimacy, or a constant feeling of being on guard.
I know, it can feel heavy, right? But here's the good news: these wounds can heal. And one powerful tool in this healing journey is something called somatic therapy.
Now, I know "somatic" might sound a little technical, but trust me, it's actually quite friendly. It simply means "relating to the body." So, somatic therapy is about understanding how our bodies hold onto emotional experiences.
Think about it. When you feel nervous, your stomach might churn. Or when you're angry, your fists might clench. These physical sensations are your body's way of communicating with you. Somatic therapy helps us listen to that language, to understand what our bodies are trying to tell us about our emotional experiences, especially those from our early years. See, often, our attachment wounds are from a time before we even had words to describe what was happening. Maybe we felt unsafe, unseen, or unheard. These experiences get stored in our bodies, creating patterns of tension and disconnection.
Somatic therapy helps us reconnect with those embodied memories, but in a safe and supported space. Through gentle exercises and mindful awareness, we can begin to understand the stories our bodies are holding. This isn't about reliving the trauma, but rather about acknowledging it with compassion and creating space for healing.
And why is feeling safe so crucial? Because safety is the foundation for healthy connection. When we feel safe, our nervous system can relax. We can open up to others and trust in the possibility of healthy relationships.
When I first started therapy, I said to my therapist, “I do not want to go backward; I see no point; you’re just going to have me blame my parents.” I didn’t want to look back, I didn’t want to do hard work. Healing attachment wounds takes time and courage. It's about peeling back layers, facing uncomfortable truths, and learning to be gentle with yourself. But the rewards are truly amazing. As you heal, you'll discover a newfound sense of self-compassion, a stronger capacity for intimacy, and the ability to build healthy, supportive relationships.
You're not alone in this. Amazing somatic therapists are right here at Reset, ready to guide you on this journey. If you're curious about exploring somatic therapy, just remember to trust the process and be gentle with yourself.
And always, you are worthy of love, connection, and a safe space to heal. Somatic therapy can be a powerful tool on that path.
And this week’s TGIFs…
TOOL— Stillness. Time and time again, I’m reminded of stillness being the ultimate teacher, tool and guide. In stillness, we can hear the language of the body.
GRATITUDE— I’ve found myself floating in water this summer - a childlike joy, awe and sensation that has been profound for my body. Deeply breathing, feeling supported - we can find avenues for safety many ways. Also, go ahead and float next time you swim! It’s also fun :)
INNOVATION—I’m excited to join this mentorship program with the Embody Lab this fall - an organization devoted to accelerating somatic integration into our field of work. Having practiced somatic therapy my entire career, it’s fun to learn from others and see how we can collectively bring more awareness to this essential method.
FEELS— Our flagship intensive program, the SUMMT, is all about allowing the body to feel safe to navigate childhood wounds. We’ve been testing it and training our people for the last 3 years and we’re excited to re-introduce it through our new Elevated Intensives!