Somatic Therapy for Anxiety: A Body-Based Approach to Healing
My Journey with Somatic Therapy for Anxiety
Hi, I’m Alyssa, a somatic arts therapist, and I know anxiety intimately. My personal journey with anxiety deepened after I lost vision in my right eye—a life-altering experience that shook my sense of safety, identity, and control. The fear, the racing thoughts, and the physical tension became overwhelming. I tried various approaches to ease my anxiety, but it wasn’t until I turned to somatic therapy that I truly started to heal.
Through body-based therapies, I learned to reconnect with myself in ways I never thought possible. Anxiety isn’t just in the mind—it’s stored in the body. Somatic therapy helped me tap into the wisdom of my body, release stored tension, and find a sense of peace I hadn’t known before. Now, I help others do the same.
What is Somatic Therapy for Anxiety?
Somatic therapy for anxiety is a body-centered approach to healing that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. While talking about anxiety can be helpful, it doesn’t always get to the root of the issue. That’s because anxiety often manifests in the body before we’re even consciously aware of it.
Through gentle movement, breathwork, guided awareness, and expressive arts, somatic therapy for anxiety helps you tune into physical sensations, uncover stored trauma, and release tension. It’s about listening to what your body is telling you—because your body holds the key to healing.
How Does Somatic Therapy for Anxiety Address the Body?
Anxiety isn’t just a mental experience—it’s deeply physical. Here are some common ways it shows up in the body:
Tight shoulders and jaw – Holding stress physically
Shallow breathing – A sign that the nervous system is in fight-or-flight mode
Digestive issues – Anxiety can disrupt the gut-brain connection
Racing heart or dizziness – The body preparing for perceived danger
Chronic fatigue – The result of an overworked nervous system
Somatic therapy for anxiety helps us recognize these patterns, slow down, and find new ways to regulate our nervous systems. If you want to learn more about what is somatic therapy, here’s a good read for you.
Why Somatic Therapy for Anxiety is a Powerful Tool
Traditional methods of managing anxiety, like cognitive therapy or medication, can be helpful, but they often don’t address where anxiety truly lives—in the body. Somatic therapy for anxiety:
Helps you reconnect with your body’s natural rhythms
Teaches you tools to self-regulate and calm your nervous system
Uncovers and releases stored trauma and tension
Builds resilience so anxiety no longer runs your life
What to Expect in a Somatic Therapy for Anxiety Session
In a session with me, we’ll work together to explore your body’s unique response to anxiety. This may include:
Grounding exercises to bring you back into the present moment
Breathwork to regulate your nervous system
Gentle movement to release stored tension
Expressive arts therapy to tap into subconscious emotions
Guided body awareness to help you recognize patterns and shift them
Every session is tailored to your needs and comfort level—there’s no “right” way to heal, only what works for you.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Somatic Therapy for Anxiety Alone
I understand how overwhelming anxiety can feel—I’ve been there. But I also know that healing is possible. Somatic therapy for anxiety changed my life, and I believe it can change yours too.
If you’re ready to explore a body-based approach to anxiety relief, I’d love to support you on this journey. Reach out to schedule a session or learn more about how somatic therapy for anxiety can help you find ease, resilience, and connection within yourself.
Let’s move toward healing—together.
