Date

8-24-2023

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Shannon P. Warden

Keywords

Somatic Theory, Body-Oriented, Trauma-Informed, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Meditation, Yoga

Disciplines

Counseling | Educational Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to provide insight into somatic Experience techniques used while treating clients who suffer from trauma symptoms. Somatic therapeutic techniques improve trauma victims’ negative body and mind symptoms. The use of somatic theory to treat psychological and physical trauma is a relatively new concept within the field of clinical mental health counseling. Somatic therapies are a body-oriented approach that releases restricted trauma emotions by addressing the response communication that continually runs between the mind and the body. For example, bodily therapists use mind-body techniques to release the suppressed tension that negatively influences an individual’s emotional and physical wellbeing. These techniques are possibly, historically, more commonly used by bodily therapists such as yoga instructors, whereas the use of somatic techniques among clinical mental health counselors, who integrate bodily therapies, seems to be a newer phenomenon. Although there is limited research regarding the effectiveness of somatic treatments, existing research demonstrates positive outcomes. This qualitative case study is to understand the central phenomenon of somatic experience techniques for clients who suffer from trauma symptoms.

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