Vancouver Based Somatic Therapy for Trauma-Informed Healing

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What is Somatic Therapy?

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Grounded in contemporary neuroscience, somatic therapy recognizes that trauma and stress affect the brain and nervous system as much as, or at times even more than, the conscious mind. Traumatic experiences can dysregulate the autonomic nervous system, leading to persistent feelings of threat, hyperarousal, or shutdown that interfere with emotional well-being.
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Somatic therapy works by helping the brain and body communicate safely, enabling the nervous system to process and release stress or trauma that may be "stuck" in physical sensations, muscle tension, or habitual physiological patterns. Through increased interoception, the brain’s ability to sense signals from within the body, clients can develop new neural pathways that foster regulation, safety, and emotional integration.

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Our Somatic Therapy Specialties

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Our clinicians at Providence Therapy are trained in a variety of somatic therapy models that engage the body’s inbuilt wisdom for healing, including:

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• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): Utilizes bilateral stimulation to facilitate the brain’s natural reprocessing of traumatic memories, connecting cognitive and somatic experiences to reduce their emotional impact.
• OEI (Observed Experiencial Integration): An experiential and somatically grounded method that encourages deep felt sensing and experiential learning within the body, guiding clients to access and transform internal blockages through bodily awareness accessed through the eyes.
• TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises): Activates the body's natural neurogenic tremor response to help release deep-seated muscular tension and trauma energy, supporting nervous system downregulation and relaxation.
• Somatic Parts Work: Roots the exploration of internal "parts" or subpersonalities in bodily sensation and presence, facilitating self-leadership and healing through somatic integration.

Our somatic therapeutic approaches are also deeply informed by:
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• Polyvagal Theory: This cutting-edge neuroscience framework explains how the autonomic nervous system shifts between states of safety, mobilization, or immobilization in response to perceived threat or connection cues. Our therapists use polyvagal-informed techniques to help clients gently move from defensive states to safety and social engagement.
• Somatic Experiencing: Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, this modality focuses on helping clients track sensations and physiological responses to safely discharge trauma energy and restore natural nervous system resilience.

These frameworks guide our interventions, helping clients cultivate a felt sense of safety in their body, build effective nervous system regulation skills, and develop sustainable emotional balance.
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Shake It Out with TRE - Trauma Release Exercises

Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) is a gentle, yet powerful somatic practice designed to help the body naturally release deep muscular tension and the physiological effects of trauma. Developed by Dr. David Berceli, TRE works by activating the body’s inherent tremor reflex, a spontaneous shaking or vibrating response, that facilitates the discharge of stress and trauma energy stored in muscles and the nervous system.

How TRE Works:

• When we experience trauma or prolonged stress, our bodies instinctively contract muscles, often without conscious awareness, as a protective mechanism. These tight muscular patterns can persist long after the triggering event, contributing to ongoing anxiety, pain, and emotional blockages.
• TRE guides you through a series of simple, easy-to-learn stretching and movement exercises targeting key muscle groups. These exercises gently fatigue the muscles, allowing the body to release tension through involuntary tremors or shakes. This physiological trembling is not harmful; rather, it’s the body’s natural way of resetting the nervous system and returning to a state of calm and balance.

Benefits of TRE:

• Nervous System Regulation: TRE helps downregulate an overactive sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight response), promoting relaxation and safety.
• Trauma Release: By physically discharging stored trauma energy, TRE can help reduce the intensity of trauma symptoms such as hypervigilance, anxiety, and unresolved emotional distress.
• Pain Reduction: Many clients experience relief from chronic muscle tension, headaches, and somatic pain through regular TRE practice.
• Improved Emotional Resilience: TRE enhances awareness of bodily signals and supports emotional regulation, enabling healthier responses to stress.
• Empowerment and Self-Care: TRE techniques can be practiced independently after initial guidance, empowering clients to self-manage stress and trauma responses.

TRE at Providence Therapy:

• At Providence Therapy, our TRE providers are certified in TRE and are trained to integrate TRE within a broader somatic therapy framework, tailoring the practice to your individual needs and therapeutic goals. We provide expert guidance through TRE exercises in a safe and supportive environment, teaching you how to attune to your body’s natural responses and safely release tension.
• TRE can be combined with other somatic modalities and Polyvagal-informed practices to deepen nervous system regulation and enhance trauma recovery. Whether you’re coping with acute trauma, chronic stress, or just seeking to restore balance in your body and mind, TRE offers a restorative path grounded in the body’s innate healing ability.

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What to Expect in Your Somatic Therapy Sessions

In your sessions at Providence Therapy, you may:
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• Explore bodily sensations such as breath, muscle tension, temperature, and movement as keys to unlocking emotional and mental blocks.
• Engage in gentle, guided bodily awareness exercises and movements designed to release stress, emotion or trauma held in the body.
• Learn techniques for calming, grounding, and self-regulating your nervous system to improve emotional resilience.
• Experience a compassionate therapeutic environment where your body’s messages are honoured and supported.
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Benefits of Somatic Therapy

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TSomatic therapy can offer numerous benefits to individuals experiencing trauma and beyond supporting:
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• Trauma and PTSD symptoms
• Anxiety, panic, and chronic stress
• Depression linked with body-based tension and numbness
• Emotional dysregulation and overwhelm
• Physical manifestations of psychological distress, such as chronic pain or muscle tightness
• Challenges with trust, connection, and intimate relationships
• Boundaries Work and more...

Benefits Include:
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1. Improved Mind-Body Connection:

Somatic therapy helps you develop a deeper understanding of the mind-body connection and cultivates self-awareness, empowering you to better regulate you emotions and respond to triggers.

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2. Decreased Physical Symptoms:

By releasing tension and trauma stored in the body, somatic therapy can help alleviate physical symptoms related to trauma, such as chronic pain, headaches, or digestive problems.

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3. Enhanced Emotional Resilience:

Somatic therapy provides you with tools to regulate your emotions, manage stress, and cultivate a greater sense of well-being. You can develop emotional resilience and find healthier ways to cope with the aftermath of trauma.

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4. Post-Traumatic Growth:

Through somatic therapy, you can experience post-traumatic growth, which involves developing a sense of strength, resilience, and even positive personal transformation in the aftermath of trauma.

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If you are ready to reconnect with your body as a powerful source of healing and transformation, our specialized somatic therapy services in Providence provide expert care rooted in physiology and neuroscience. Take the step toward freeing yourself from past stress and trauma, calming your nervous system, and fostering lasting mental balance.
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Book with one of our specialty-trained Somatic Therapists today to schedule an initial consultation!

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