Join me at Mind Body Soul this 16-18th October & win ten online or 5 in-person 1:1 somatic therapy sessions - Click for more

OstaraSoma

Join me at Mind Body Soul this 16-18th October & win ten online or 5 in-person 1:1 somatic therapy sessions - Click for more

OstaraSoma

Join me at Mind Body Soul this 16-18th October & win ten online or 5 in-person 1:1 somatic therapy sessions - Click for more

OstaraSoma

About Somatic Therapy

Where the field comes from, and what the evidence actually says

The different approaches within somatic therapy — and where the research is strong, emerging or still uncertain.

History

The approaches

The evidence

FAQs

About Somatic Therapy

Where the field comes from, and what the evidence actually says

The different approaches within somatic therapy — and where the research is strong, emerging or still uncertain.

History

The approaches

The evidence

FAQs

Somatic therapy isn't one single method.

Somatic therapy isn't one single method.

It's an umbrella term for a range of approaches that bring bodily experience into therapeutic work, rather than working only with thoughts, words and behaviour.

Different approaches understand the body in different ways. Some focus particularly on trauma. Others draw more heavily on movement, mindfulness, attachment, psychotherapy or body awareness. The amount and quality of research behind them varies too.

This page is for anyone who wants to go a little deeper: where the field came from, what sits under the term somatic therapy, what it's used for, and where the evidence is strong, emerging or still uncertain.

It's an umbrella term for a range of approaches that bring bodily experience into therapeutic work, rather than working only with thoughts, words and behaviour.

Different approaches understand the body in different ways. Some focus particularly on trauma. Others draw more heavily on movement, mindfulness, attachment, psychotherapy or body awareness. The amount and quality of research behind them varies too.

This page is for anyone who wants to go a little deeper: where the field came from, what sits under the term somatic therapy, what it's used for, and where the evidence is strong, emerging or still uncertain.

It's an umbrella term for a range of approaches that bring bodily experience into therapeutic work, rather than working only with thoughts, words and behaviour.

Different approaches understand the body in different ways. Some focus particularly on trauma. Others draw more heavily on movement, mindfulness, attachment, psychotherapy or body awareness. The amount and quality of research behind them varies too.

This page is for anyone who wants to go a little deeper: where the field came from, what sits under the term somatic therapy, what it's used for, and where the evidence is strong, emerging or still uncertain.

If you're mainly wondering what it would actually be like to have somatic therapy with me, you'll probably find the Trauma-Informed Somatic Therapy page and the FAQs below more useful.

If you're mainly wondering what it would actually be like to have somatic therapy with me, you'll probably find the Trauma-Informed Somatic Therapy page and the FAQs below more useful.

Body and mind were never a new idea

Body and mind were never a new idea

Western somatic psychotherapy wasn't the first tradition to take the relationship between bodily and psychological experience seriously.

Across different cultures and histories, practices involving movement, breath, attention and embodied awareness have formed part of approaches to health, contemplation and wellbeing.

Ayurvedic and yogic traditions, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Buddhist contemplative practices and many Indigenous and traditional healing practices all have their own ways of understanding human experience that don't necessarily divide body and mind in the way Western medicine and psychology historically have.

These are distinct traditions with their own histories, meanings and practices. I don't want to collapse them into a single story, suggest they're equivalent to modern psychotherapy, or claim them as direct predecessors of the work I practice.

Western somatic psychotherapy wasn't the first tradition to take the relationship between bodily and psychological experience seriously.

Across different cultures and histories, practices involving movement, breath, attention and embodied awareness have formed part of approaches to health, contemplation and wellbeing.

Ayurvedic and yogic traditions, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Buddhist contemplative practices and many Indigenous and traditional healing practices all have their own ways of understanding human experience that don't necessarily divide body and mind in the way Western medicine and psychology historically have.

These are distinct traditions with their own histories, meanings and practices. I don't want to collapse them into a single story, suggest they're equivalent to modern psychotherapy, or claim them as direct predecessors of the work I practice.

Western somatic psychotherapy wasn't the first tradition to take the relationship between bodily and psychological experience seriously.

Across different cultures and histories, practices involving movement, breath, attention and embodied awareness have formed part of approaches to health, contemplation and wellbeing.

Ayurvedic and yogic traditions, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Buddhist contemplative practices and many Indigenous and traditional healing practices all have their own ways of understanding human experience that don't necessarily divide body and mind in the way Western medicine and psychology historically have.

These are distinct traditions with their own histories, meanings and practices. I don't want to collapse them into a single story, suggest they're equivalent to modern psychotherapy, or claim them as direct predecessors of the work I practice.

The idea that our physical and psychological lives are connected did not begin with twentieth-century Western psychotherapy.

The idea that our physical and psychological lives are connected did not begin with twentieth-century Western psychotherapy.

How the field took shape

The development of somatic therapy in the West

The development of somatic therapy in the West

Not one neat lineage — but there are some important developments that help explain how the field took shape.

1930s – 1950s

1930s – 1950s

Early body-oriented psychotherapy

Early body-oriented psychotherapy

Psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich, who had trained within Freud's psychoanalytic tradition, proposed that emotional and psychological experiences could be reflected in chronic patterns of muscular tension. He referred to this as character or muscular armour, and developed therapeutic methods that incorporated breathing and physical expression alongside psychoanalytic work.

Alexander Lowen later developed Bioenergetic Analysis, which brought together psychotherapy, breath and physical exercises.

Their ideas were influential in the development of body-oriented psychotherapy, although many of their explanatory theories should be understood in their historical context rather than as established contemporary neuroscience.



Psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich, who had trained within Freud's psychoanalytic tradition, proposed that emotional and psychological experiences could be reflected in chronic patterns of muscular tension. He referred to this as character or muscular armour, and developed therapeutic methods that incorporated breathing and physical expression alongside psychoanalytic work.

Alexander Lowen later developed Bioenergetic Analysis, which brought together psychotherapy, breath and physical exercises.

Their ideas were influential in the development of body-oriented psychotherapy, although many of their explanatory theories should be understood in their historical context rather than as established contemporary neuroscience.



1960s – 1980s

1960s – 1980s

Somatics becomes a broader field

Somatics becomes a broader field

The term somatics became increasingly associated with approaches concerned with lived, embodied experience. Thomas Hanna helped popularise the term in the 1970s, particularly in relation to movement and awareness.

Other approaches were also developing across psychotherapy, movement and body education, including Hakomi, Body-Mind Centering and Feldenkrais. They weren't all forms of psychotherapy and shouldn't be treated as interchangeable, but together they contributed to a growing interest in bodily experience as something worth paying attention to in its own right.



The term somatics became increasingly associated with approaches concerned with lived, embodied experience. Thomas Hanna helped popularise the term in the 1970s, particularly in relation to movement and awareness.

Other approaches were also developing across psychotherapy, movement and body education, including Hakomi, Body-Mind Centering and Feldenkrais. They weren't all forms of psychotherapy and shouldn't be treated as interchangeable, but together they contributed to a growing interest in bodily experience as something worth paying attention to in its own right.



1980s onwards

1980s onwards

Trauma becomes increasingly central

Trauma becomes increasingly central

Body-oriented approaches became particularly influential in work concerned with trauma. Pat Ogden developed Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, integrating body awareness with psychotherapy and drawing on areas including attachment, cognition and trauma theory.

Peter Levine developed Somatic Experiencing, an approach that places particular emphasis on bodily sensations and survival responses following overwhelming experiences. Both have contributed significantly to contemporary somatic trauma practice.

At the same time, developments in trauma psychology, attachment research, neuroscience and psychotherapy increasingly encouraged clinicians to consider experiences that aren't captured through thoughts and narrative alone.

Body-oriented approaches became particularly influential in work concerned with trauma. Pat Ogden developed Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, integrating body awareness with psychotherapy and drawing on areas including attachment, cognition and trauma theory.

Peter Levine developed Somatic Experiencing, an approach that places particular emphasis on bodily sensations and survival responses following overwhelming experiences. Both have contributed significantly to contemporary somatic trauma practice.

At the same time, developments in trauma psychology, attachment research, neuroscience and psychotherapy increasingly encouraged clinicians to consider experiences that aren't captured through thoughts and narrative alone.

Under the umbrella

So what actually counts as somatic therapy?

So what actually counts as somatic therapy?

Somatic therapy is often used as though it describes one particular treatment. It doesn't. Several different approaches sit somewhere within the wider field of somatic or body-oriented practice.

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing

Developed by Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing pays particular attention to bodily sensations associated with stress and traumatic experience. Practitioners may work gradually with difficult sensations rather than staying with intense experience for long periods. Terms commonly associated with the approach include titration — working in small amounts — and pendulation, moving attention between more and less difficult experiences.

Developed by Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing pays particular attention to bodily sensations associated with stress and traumatic experience. Practitioners may work gradually with difficult sensations rather than staying with intense experience for long periods. Terms commonly associated with the approach include titration — working in small amounts — and pendulation, moving attention between more and less difficult experiences.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Developed by Pat Ogden, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy integrates body awareness with more conventional psychotherapeutic work. It may explore posture, movement, sensation and physical impulses alongside emotions, beliefs, relationships and memories.

Developed by Pat Ogden, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy integrates body awareness with more conventional psychotherapeutic work. It may explore posture, movement, sensation and physical impulses alongside emotions, beliefs, relationships and memories.

Hakomi

Hakomi

Hakomi, developed by Ron Kurtz, uses mindful attention to present-moment experience as part of psychotherapy. That can include bodily sensations, emotions, beliefs and habitual responses.

Hakomi, developed by Ron Kurtz, uses mindful attention to present-moment experience as part of psychotherapy. That can include bodily sensations, emotions, beliefs and habitual responses.

Bioenergetic Analysis

Bioenergetic Analysis

Developed from the work of Alexander Lowen, Bioenergetic Analysis combines psychotherapy with physical exercises, movement and breathing.

Developed from the work of Alexander Lowen, Bioenergetic Analysis combines psychotherapy with physical exercises, movement and breathing.

Movement & somatic education

Movement & somatic education

Other practices — including Feldenkrais, Body-Mind Centering and some forms of dance/movement therapy — also work with embodied experience. They have their own histories, training requirements and purposes, and aren't simply different names for somatic psychotherapy.

Other practices — including Feldenkrais, Body-Mind Centering and some forms of dance/movement therapy — also work with embodied experience. They have their own histories, training requirements and purposes, and aren't simply different names for somatic psychotherapy.

What do these have in common?

What do these have in common?

Less than the phrase somatic therapy can sometimes suggest. Their theories, methods and professional contexts differ considerably.

Less than the phrase somatic therapy can sometimes suggest. Their theories, methods and professional contexts differ considerably.

What broadly connects them

What broadly connects them

Bodily experience is allowed to be part of the work, rather than relying on thoughts and words alone. How that bodily experience is understood — and what a practitioner does with it — varies.

That's one reason it's useful to ask a practitioner what they actually mean when they describe themselves as somatic, rather than assuming the term tells you everything about how they work.

Bodily experience is allowed to be part of the work, rather than relying on thoughts and words alone. How that bodily experience is understood — and what a practitioner does with it — varies.

That's one reason it's useful to ask a practitioner what they actually mean when they describe themselves as somatic, rather than assuming the term tells you everything about how they work.

Tatiana Ostara Somatic Therapy Main picture

What informs my own practice

What informs my own practice

My own training and practice draw on a range of body-based and trauma-informed ideas. These include principles influenced by Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing, nervous-system-informed work, and curiosity about the different parts of ourselves that can sometimes want or need different things.

I use these ideas pragmatically rather than following one fixed protocol.

My own training and practice draw on a range of body-based and trauma-informed ideas. These include principles influenced by Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing, nervous-system-informed work, and curiosity about the different parts of ourselves that can sometimes want or need different things.

I use these ideas pragmatically rather than following one fixed protocol.

My own training and practice draw on a range of body-based and trauma-informed ideas. These include principles influenced by Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing, nervous-system-informed work, and curiosity about the different parts of ourselves that can sometimes want or need different things.

I use these ideas pragmatically rather than following one fixed protocol.

Being influenced by an approach isn't the same as being formally trained or certified in that particular method. My qualifications and professional training are set out on my About page.

Being influenced by an approach isn't the same as being formally trained or certified in that particular method. My qualifications and professional training are set out on my About page.

Being influenced by an approach isn't the same as being formally trained or certified in that particular method. My qualifications and professional training are set out on my About page.

In practice, my work is less about applying a technique to someone and more about deciding together what is actually useful in the moment.

In practice, my work is less about applying a technique to someone and more about deciding together what is actually useful in the moment.

In practice, my work is less about applying a technique to someone and more about deciding together what is actually useful in the moment.

What is somatic therapy used for?

What is somatic therapy used for?

Somatic approaches are particularly associated with trauma and post-traumatic stress, and this is where much of the research interest has been concentrated. In practice, people also seek body-oriented therapy in relation to experiences such as:

Somatic approaches are particularly associated with trauma and post-traumatic stress, and this is where much of the research interest has been concentrated. In practice, people also seek body-oriented therapy in relation to experiences such as:

Trauma and post-traumatic stress

Trauma and post-traumatic stress

Anxiety and panic

Anxiety and panic

Chronic stress, overwhelm or difficulty settling

Chronic stress, overwhelm or difficulty settling

Burnout and emotional exhaustion

Burnout and emotional exhaustion

Grief and loss

Grief and loss

Relationships and recurring interpersonal patterns

Relationships and recurring interpersonal patterns

The emotional impact of chronic pain or health conditions, alongside appropriate medical care

The emotional impact of chronic pain or health conditions, alongside appropriate medical care

Life transitions and change

Life transitions and change

Identity and self-understanding

Identity and self-understanding

What people seek an approach for, and what research has demonstrated it can effectively treat, are not the same thing.

What people seek an approach for, and what research has demonstrated it can effectively treat, are not the same thing.

You also don't need to have experienced trauma, have a diagnosis or be in crisis to be interested in somatic therapy. Some people simply find it useful to include bodily experience when exploring themselves and their lives.

You also don't need to have experienced trauma, have a diagnosis or be in crisis to be interested in somatic therapy. Some people simply find it useful to include bodily experience when exploring themselves and their lives.

Being straight about it

Being straight about it

What does the research say about somatic therapy?

What does the research say about somatic therapy?

Somatic therapy is a broad term covering different approaches, and the amount of research available varies.

Some approaches, including Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, have been studied in relation to trauma and PTSD. There are some promising findings, but the research is still developing, and more high-quality studies are needed.


For PTSD specifically, trauma-focused CBT and EMDR have a more established evidence base and are recommended by NICE.

That doesn't mean somatic approaches can't be helpful. It means being thoughtful about what the research does and doesn't tell us, and being clear about the approach I offer.

My training is in trauma-informed somatic counselling. I don't present it as a proven treatment for PTSD or a replacement for recommended PTSD treatments.

Somatic therapy is a broad term covering different approaches, and the amount of research available varies.

Some approaches, including Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, have been studied in relation to trauma and PTSD. There are some promising findings, but the research is still developing, and more high-quality studies are needed.


For PTSD specifically, trauma-focused CBT and EMDR have a more established evidence base and are recommended by NICE.

That doesn't mean somatic approaches can't be helpful. It means being thoughtful about what the research does and doesn't tell us, and being clear about the approach I offer.

My training is in trauma-informed somatic counselling. I don't present it as a proven treatment for PTSD or a replacement for recommended PTSD treatments.

What about the nervous system and polyvagal theory?

What about the nervous system and polyvagal theory?

Nervous-system language has become very common in therapy and wellbeing spaces. Some of it can provide a useful and accessible way of thinking about what happens when we feel threatened, overwhelmed, alert, shut down or safe.

But useful language and settled science aren't necessarily the same thing.

Polyvagal theory, developed by Stephen Porges, has been particularly influential within trauma-informed and somatic practice. Some aspects of the theory — particularly specific anatomical, physiological and evolutionary claims — have also been challenged and debated in the scientific literature.

Nervous-system language has become very common in therapy and wellbeing spaces. Some of it can provide a useful and accessible way of thinking about what happens when we feel threatened, overwhelmed, alert, shut down or safe.

But useful language and settled science aren't necessarily the same thing.

Polyvagal theory, developed by Stephen Porges, has been particularly influential within trauma-informed and somatic practice. Some aspects of the theory — particularly specific anatomical, physiological and evolutionary claims — have also been challenged and debated in the scientific literature.

THE CRITIQUE

THE CRITIQUE

In 2026, Grossman and colleagues published an expert critique arguing that major tenets of polyvagal theory were not supported by the evidence they reviewed.

In 2026, Grossman and colleagues published an expert critique arguing that major tenets of polyvagal theory were not supported by the evidence they reviewed.

Read the critique →

Read the critique →

THE RESPONSE

THE RESPONSE

Stephen Porges subsequently published a response defending the theory and disputing the critique.

Stephen Porges subsequently published a response defending the theory and disputing the critique.

Read the critique →

Read the critique →

Likewise, popular statements about trauma being literally "stored in the body" can make a complicated area of neuroscience and memory research sound much more settled than it is.

I therefore try to hold these ideas as frameworks that may sometimes be useful, rather than explanations that must be true for every person.

Likewise, popular statements about trauma being literally "stored in the body" can make a complicated area of neuroscience and memory research sound much more settled than it is.

I therefore try to hold these ideas as frameworks that may sometimes be useful, rather than explanations that must be true for every person.

If a theory helps us understand something, we can be curious about it. If it doesn't fit your experience, we don't need to make you fit the theory.

If a theory helps us understand something, we can be curious about it. If it doesn't fit your experience, we don't need to make you fit the theory.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked

FAQs

FAQs

A few things you might be wondering about working with me. If your question isn't here, you're welcome to reach out and ask.

A few things you might be wondering about working with me. If your question isn't here, you're welcome to reach out and ask.

Choosing how to work together

Choosing how to work together

I'm not sure whether I need Somatic Therapy or The Pivot. How do I decide?

If what you're bringing is mainly about your emotional life, relationships, difficult experiences, or patterns you'd like to explore therapeutically, Somatic Therapy may be the better place to start. If work or career is at the centre of what you're navigating — perhaps a decision, transition, loss of confidence, burnout, uncertainty, or questions about what you want next — The Pivot combines somatic therapeutic work with practical career guidance. Sometimes those things overlap. You don't need to work it out perfectly before getting in touch.

Do I need to know exactly what I want help with?

No. You might know exactly why you're reaching out, or you might simply know that something isn't sitting right. Either is enough to start a conversation.

Do I have to do body-based exercises?

No. Anything I offer is invitational. We might talk, reflect, notice what's happening physically, or try something together. You can decline an exercise, change your mind, or say something isn't useful. There isn't a particular way you're expected to participate.

Somatic Therapy

Somatic Therapy

Do I need to have experienced trauma to work with you?

No. People come to therapy for many different reasons, and you don't need a diagnosis, crisis, or particular kind of experience to justify seeking support. You can read more about my approach and what we might explore on the Trauma-Informed Somatic Therapy page.

Do I have to tell you my whole story?

No. You decide what you want to share and when. There may be things that are useful for me to understand so we can work safely together, but you won't be expected to tell me everything or revisit experiences before you're ready.

I've never had therapy before. Is that okay?

Yes. You don't need to know how therapy works or what you're supposed to say. Our first sessions are partly about getting to know one another and finding a way of working together that feels right for you.

Can I work with you while taking medication or seeing another therapist or healthcare professional?

Can I work with you while taking medication or seeing another therapist or healthcare professional?

How many sessions will I need?

There isn't a set number. Some people work with me for a shorter period and others stay longer. We can talk about how the work is feeling as we go, rather than deciding in advance how long it should take.

More about Trauma-Informed Somatic Therapy →

More about Trauma-Informed Somatic Therapy →

The Pivot

The Pivot

Is The Pivot therapy or career guidance?

It's both. The Pivot brings together somatic therapeutic work with practical career guidance, drawing on my experience as a somatic therapist and more than 12 years working across recruitment, talent, and people-focused roles. That means we can explore what's happening beneath the career question: thoughts, emotions, patterns, expectations, identity, or what you're noticing in your body, while also working with the practical reality of your situation. We don't have to separate the person from the career question. The Pivot makes room for both.

Do I need to know what I want to do next before starting The Pivot?

No. Not knowing may be exactly why you're coming. You might have a specific decision to make, several possibilities, or simply know that something about your working life doesn't feel right anymore. We can explore both what's happening internally and what's possible practically, without assuming there's one right answer we're trying to find.

Will you help with practical things like my CV and interviews?

Yes, if that's what you need. The Pivot can include practical support with CVs, applications, interviews, navigating the job market, and thinking strategically about your next move. But we don't have to start there. Sometimes the more useful work is understanding what you actually want, what matters now, or what's making a decision difficult before we move into the practicalities.

Why does The Pivot cost more than a Somatic Therapy session?

The Pivot combines two areas of my professional experience: somatic therapeutic work and career guidance informed by more than 12 years in recruitment, talent, and people-focused roles. A session might move between exploring what's happening for you emotionally or physically, making sense of a pattern or decision, looking at the realities of the job market, and working practically on something such as an application or interview. That's why The Pivot is priced differently from my standalone Somatic Therapy sessions.

Explore The Pivot →

Explore The Pivot →

Talks & Workshops / The Turning

Talks & Workshops / The Turning

What's the difference between Talks & Workshops and The Turning?

Talks & Workshops are for festivals, conferences, community spaces, and public events. The Turning is specifically for teams and organisations looking for a wellbeing workshop. There is some shared thinking between them, but the setting, purpose, and way I shape the session are different.

Can you tailor a session for our event or organisation?

Yes. I don't expect every audience or team to need the same thing. Tell me a little about the people, context, and what you're hoping the session might offer, and we can talk about what would make sense.

Will people have to share personal things or take part in exercises?

No. Participation is invitational. Nobody has to disclose personal experiences, close their eyes, move their body, or take part in an exercise that doesn't work for them.

Can sessions be delivered online?

Yes. Talks & Workshops and The Turning can both be delivered online or in person, depending on the setting, audience, and what we agree.

Explore Talks & Workshops →

Explore Talks & Workshops →

Explore The Turning →

Explore The Turning →

Sessions, fees & booking

Sessions, fees & booking

Are 1:1 sessions online or in person?

Somatic Therapy is available online and in person in London, subject to availability. The Pivot is available online.

How much are Somatic Therapy sessions?

ONLINE 45 minutes £60 60 minutes £75 90 minutes £110 IN PERSON 45 minutes £90 60 minutes £110 90 minutes £160

What is your cancellation policy?

For online therapy sessions, please give at least 24 hours' notice. For in-person therapy, please give at least 48 hours' notice. For The Pivot, please give at least 24 hours' notice. Full details, including late cancellations, packages, and organisational bookings, are in my Terms & Conditions.

Is what I share confidential?

Is what I share confidential?

What if I have accessibility, sensory, or communication needs?

Please let me know what would make it easier for you to take part. Closed captions can be enabled for online sessions where the platform supports them, and I'm happy to discuss reasonable adjustments for in-person sessions, talks, and workshops.