Nervous system health is one of the most overlooked aspects of healing. It’s essential to take care of your nervous system to properly function and heal you! The following four therapies are some of the best ways to jumpstart this process.
1. Somatic Experiencing and Somatic-Based Therapies
Somatic Experiencing and other somatic-based therapies are a powerful way to heal the nervous system. Somatic experiencing is based on the idea that our emotions and sensations reflect what’s happening in our bodies. When we become aware of this connection, it becomes possible for us to shift into a state where we’re more present with ourselves.
You can access somatic-based therapies through a somatic psychotherapist and/or by attending an experiential workshop.
The benefits of Somatic Experiencing is that it’s inexpensive, private, easy to learn, and can be done anywhere at any time!
2. The Safe and Sound Protocol
The Safe and Sound protocol is an audio-based healing therapy that was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. The protocol is designed to help regulate the nervous system and reduce reactivity.
Dr. Stephen Porges is a neuroscientist and has been at the forefront of studying the role that our auditory muscles play in regulating the nervous system.
The protocol is helpful for people who may be struggling with symptoms of trauma, anxiety, depression, or a wide range of other emotional challenges. Another group of individuals who greatly benefit from this therapy is people with Autism, ADHD, or sensory sensitivities.
3. Somatosensory Psychotherapy
Somatosensory psychotherapy helps people to process their feelings by connecting with physical sensations. This therapy can help individuals experiencing chronic pain, anxiety, depression, or other emotional challenges.
The therapist will guide the client through an exercise to connect to specific parts of their body to feel what’s coming up. The therapist will ask the client to focus on one particular aspect of their body and identify what they notice, like sensations in that area.
The goal is to tap into feelings or memories about this particular sensation by describing it in detail. Once they have fully connected with how that feels, the practitioner invites them to communicate with other parts of the body to see if they can handle anything else.
4. Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
This type of therapy is focused on the body’s energy.
Focusing on working with your own energy rather than changing or trying to fix something in the outside world can be a form of self-care that is healing and nourishing.
The practitioner will work with your body’s natural rhythms to help improve circulation and release toxins from areas holding on to stress, trauma, or injury. They can also gently correct misalignments in the skull, spine, and pelvis bones before they become more severe issues.
The practitioner will hold their hands over different parts of your head and back for several minutes at a time. Then, the practitioner will move their hands over the rest of your body, following a circular pattern. It is a delicate and slow process that releases tension in the tissues or unblock energy channels.
This type of therapy can be beneficial for people who have experienced traumatic events recently. It helps apparent deep-seated emotional pain.
Tips: Learn more about the connection between spiritual, physical, and mental health.
Vanessa integrates EMDR, sandtray, and attachment-focused approaches in her work and is completing credentials toward Registered Play Therapist and EMDRIA certification. With a background as a certified birth doula and a passion for making healing accessible, she writes and teaches on the intersection of trauma, neurodevelopment, and story-based therapy.
