Somatic Therapy and Trauma Release (Certified)

Somatic psychology is based on the principle that the body and mind are interconnected and that trauma can be stored in the body as physical tension. Get ready to explore the evolution timeline of somatic psychology, major authors and theories, as well as the fundamental concepts. In this lecture, you will also get familiar with the concept of body awareness and the 'felt sense'.

Trauma-informed care is a fundamental aspect of any effective intervention. Let's discover together how trauma is processed, stored, carried, and remembered in bodily experience and how we can support people in chronic physiological arousal.

Body intelligence also called BQ is the innate ability to understand and respond to our body's signals for optimal health, encompassing awareness of internal cues through interoceptive attention. In this lecture we will explore the importance of implicit memory for the body and how to harness body's wisdom through mindful action.

Non-verbal communication is truly fascinating and is the densest portion of all communication. I will introduce you crucial indicators for reading the body language and facilitating emotional expression.

What can we learn from animal behaviour? We all share the same survival physiology and we both adapt to stressful situations by using effective strategies. But humans are different: they sophisticate and even sabotage certain responses. Through the lenses of Polyvagal Theory we will learn how the nervous system is wired to detect safety or danger and why threat responses become maladaptive.

The Window of Tolerance is the optimal zone of arousal in which we are able to function most effectively and we feel safe and connected. Therapists often use specific techniques (deep breathing, grounding, movement) to gently help  patients and clients regulating the nervous system and guide them back to the window of tolerance. Let's see how.

In trauma recovery we value the importance of cycle completion, so we encourage the full expression of any truncated action. This catharsis or successful release is the core of most somatic interventions and serves as a powerful method to reset the autonomic nervous system and re-establish homeostasis.

Let me introduce you the father of the Hakomi Method, Ron Kurtz. His character structures will help us understanding the armours and working on the dearmouring process.

When words are not enough to help a client heal, a somatic approach to trauma treatment can be truly effective. Sensorimotor psychotherapy joins cognitive and somatic techniques, integrating current findings from neuroscience to transform traumatic memories into strengths and resources. In this lecture you will be guided to the essential SP methods and techniques.

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-focused therapy, developed by Peter Levine, that helps release trauma and stress by connecting with and processing physical sensations. You will learn to work with bodily awareness (interoception) and advanced techniques like pendulation and titration, plus TRE sequences in order to safely release this stored energy, build resilience, and regain a sense of presence and wholeness.

Authentic Movement (AM) is a deep, self-directed somatic practice where a "mover" listens to internal impulses and expresses them through free, eyes-closed movement in the presence of a non-judgmental, compassionate "witness," fostering a powerful body-mind connection and self-awareness by bridging conscious and unconscious experience through embodied storytelling

In Hanna's Somatics, reflexes are seen as central to understanding how habitual patterns of muscle tension and movement dysfunction arise. We'll see an overview of possible reflexes and how to correct them through several techniques and whole sequences.

Time to learn some practical tools! This lecture is dedicated to specific sequences to help regulate the nervous system while stimulating with the vagus nerve.

Here I will present you some easy, effective sequences to activate the body and the mind. All the techniques can be tailored to specific needs and integrate into routine practice.

What is an embodied archetype and how can we harness the archetypal power into our healing journey? This lecture will let you explore imagery and body-focused techniques for completing the previous sequences in a very mindful, aligned practice.

This lecture is focused on Judith Herman's 3-phase model of trauma treatment and integrative work for healing traumatic wounds. I will also offer you some final notes, advice and a summary for your future practice. Enjoy the class!