Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a dynamic therapeutic approach that aims to address and heal the effects of trauma and attachment issues. This innovative form of psychotherapy combines traditional talk therapy with body-oriented interventions to help individuals resolve their emotional and psychological pain. Through Sensorimotor psychotherapy interventions, the therapist assists clients successfully work through past traumatic experiences and enjoy greater wellness.
Many people suffer in the present carrying with them trauma from the past. this unprocessed trauma is disrupting to their lives and the lives of those around them. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy addresses the effects of trauma stored not only in the mind but also in the body.
Sensory motor psychotherapy uses both traditional cognitive methods as well as somatic interventions. Somatic interventions include somatic awareness, tracking sensations, grounding techniques, somatic resourcing, trauma processing, and attachment repair. Somatic psychotherapy interventions have aided many individuals on their healing journey, fostering self-regulation, emotional stability, and improved relationships.
Key Definition:
Sensorimotor psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that combines talk therapy techniques with somatic (body-centered) interventions. It was developed by Pat Ogden, a psychologist, and integrates principles from both neuroscience and somatic psychology.
Understanding Trauma and Attachment
Trauma refers to distressing or life-threatening experiences that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope. It can result from various events, such as accidents, abuse, natural disasters, or violence. Attachment, on the other hand, refers to the emotional bond between a child and their primary caregiver. Injuries to the attachment process significantly impacts their development and well-being. Attachment injuries represent a special kind of trauma.
According to The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM), unprocessed trauma actually attack survivors in the DNA of their cells (Cribbs, 2020). Linda Grabbe and Elaine Miller-Kara wrote, “the sense of self may be lost in acute trauma or never fully developed in developmental trauma, but under the gentle guidance of a skilled therapist, the intentional awareness of internal sensations may be learned, leading to enhanced self-regulation and access to positive internal resources” (Grabbe & Miller-Kara, 2018).
According to Bessel Van der Kolk teaches there are three avenues for processing trauma:
- top down, by talking, (re-) connecting with others, and allowing ourselves to know and understand what is going on with us, while processing the memories of the trauma;
- by taking medicines that shut down inappropriate alarm reactions, or by utilizing other technologies that change the way the brain organizes information, and
- bottom up: by allowing the body to have experiences that deeply and viscerally contradict the helplessness, rage, or collapse that result from trauma (van der Kolk, 2015, location 198).
Sensorimotor psychotherapy interventions utilizes both the bottom up and the top down methods to treat trauma.
Both trauma and attachment disruptions can have profound and lasting effects on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical health. They can lead to difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships, regulating emotions, and experiencing a sense of safety and self-worth.
The Approach of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Trauma and Attachment
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy integrates elements of cognitive, emotional, and physical healing to support individuals in their journey towards recovery. This therapeutic modality recognizes that trauma is not only stored in the mind but also in the body. It aims to help clients access and process traumatic memories and emotions in a safe and regulated manner.
Pat Ogden explains, “by using the body (rather than cognitive or emotion) as a primary entry point in processing trauma, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy directly treats the effects of trauma on the body, which in turn facilitates emotional and cognitive processing” (Ogden & Minton, p. 149).
Ogden explains that much like other cognitive therapies, sensorimotor psychotherapy understands that “the narrative is the entry point into the therapeutic process.” Through narratives a therapist can work with a client to “improve ego functioning, clarify meaning, formulate new narratives, and work with emotional experiences.” In addition to these already established techniques, Ogden proposes the addition of ‘bottom-up’ interventions to address “the repetitive, unbidden physical sensations, movement inhibitions, and sensorimotor intrusions characteristic of unresolved trauma” (Ogden, Pain, & Minton, 2006).
By combining talk therapy techniques with body-oriented interventions, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy encourages individuals to pay attention to their bodies. We can practice this by directing awareness to bodily sensations, movements, and breath. Consequently, this approach helps them develop greater awareness and understanding of their somatic experiences. This knowledge is crucial for processing and integrating traumatic memories.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy shares several interventions with Elaine Miller-Karas’s trauma resiliency model.
See Trauma Resiliency Model for more on this topic
Key Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Interventions
- Somatic Awareness: Practicing mindfulness and body scan exercises to increase the individual’s awareness of bodily sensations and physiological responses.
- Tracking Sensations: Encouraging clients to track and describe their physical sensations as they explore traumatic memories, allowing them to stay present and regulated during the therapeutic process.
- Grounding Techniques: Teaching grounding techniques, such as mindful breathing, that help individuals reconnect with the present moment. Grounding establishes a sense of safety when triggered or overwhelmed by traumatic memories.
- Somatic Resourcing: Working with clients to identify and cultivate internal resources, such as strength, resilience, and self-care practices, that can support them in their healing journey.
- Trauma Processing: Facilitating the safe processing and integration of traumatic memories and emotions through body-oriented exercises, guided imagery, and somatic experiencing techniques.
- Attachment Repair: Addressing attachment disruptions by exploring relational patterns, practicing healthy boundaries, and fostering secure connections through somatically focused interventions.
Benefits of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
- Holistic Healing: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy recognizes the intertwined nature of mind, body, and emotions, promoting a comprehensive approach to healing trauma and attachment wounds.
- Effective Trauma Resolution: By addressing trauma on both cognitive and somatic levels, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy can support individuals resolve trauma more effectively.
- Enhanced Self-Awareness: The emphasis on somatic awareness allows individuals to develop a deeper understanding of their internal experiences, promoting self-regulation and emotional well-being.
- Improved Relationships: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy interventions can help individuals build healthier and more secure attachments, fostering improved relationships with themselves and others.
A Few Thoughts by Psychology Fanatic
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy offers a promising path for individuals seeking healing from trauma and attachment-related challenges. By integrating body-oriented interventions with traditional talk therapy, this approach recognizes the interconnectedness of body and mind, empowering individuals to embark on a journey of recovery, self-discovery, and growth. If you’re considering Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, find a qualified therapist who specializes in this modality.
Last Update: April 17, 2024
References:
Cribbs, G. D., (2020). The Ticking Time Bomb of Unprocessed Trauma. The Mighty. Published 7-1-2020. Accessed 8-25-2021.
Grabbe, Linda; Miller-Karas, Elaine (2018). The Trauma Resiliency Model: A “Bottom-Up” Intervention for Trauma Psychotherapy. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 24(1), 76-84. DOI: 10.1177/1078390317745133
Ogden, Pat; Minton, Kekuni (2000). Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: One Method for Processing Traumatic Memory. Traumatology, 6(3), 149-173. DOI: 10.1177/153476560000600302
Ogden, Pat; , Pain, Clare;, Minton, Kekuni (2006). Trauma and the Body: A Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology). W. W. Norton & Company; Illustrated edition.
Van der Kolk, B. (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Publishing Group; Reprint edition.
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