Trauma doesn’t just live in our minds. It can actually leave a lasting impact on our bodies. This idea isn’t new. Wilhelm Reich, a student of Sigmund Freud, first explored this connection in the early 20th century and since then, researchers like Bessel Van Der Kolk and Peter Levine have expanded on his work to develop what we now call somatic This approach has since evolved into a powerful method to help teens and adults alike address the physical and emotional symptoms of trauma.
therapy. Somatic therapy is not just for adults. It is a proven and effective modality to heal trauma in teens.
Somatic therapy uses mind-body healing to help with trauma recovery. An article in Harvard Health lists the types of problems that may improve using somatic therapy.
- PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Grief
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trust and intimacy issues
- Self-esteem issues
For example, grief can manifest as pain in the hips, and anxiety can cause tension in the shoulders and jaw area.
The Health Resources and Services Administration reports that in 2023, 20% of children aged 12-17 had a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition. Somatic therapy provides a pathway to healing for teens struggling with trauma.
How trauma manifests in adolescents.
Trauma often shows up in teens in ways we might not immediately think, such as constant anxiety, frequent outbursts, or physical pain. Unlike adults, teens are still learning how to cope, which makes recognizing and addressing these signs early even more important.
Here are some of the ways trauma may show up:
- Emotional: anxiety, depression, anger, emotional dysregulation.
- Behavioral: substance use, self-harm, avoidance, oppositional behaviors.
- Physical: sleep disturbances, chronic pain, high sensitivity to sounds, eating compulsions, headaches, stomachaches, hypervigilance.
A 2024 study published in JAMA found that adolescents who have experienced at least one DSM-5 defined trauma, can have a high prevalence of somatic symptoms.
Trauma dysregulates the nervous system causing fight, flight or freeze responses. In order to improve academic performance, interpersonal skills and an overall sense of personal wellbeing, these symptoms must be addressed.
What is somatic therapy?
Somatic therapy uses modalities like breathwork, energy work, and movement to integrate physical processes with emotional healing. In addition, a couple more clinical modalities are EMDR and Brainspotting.
The polyvagal theory explains how our nervous system responds to stress and safety by looking at the vagus nerve. This nerve connects the brain to key organs like the heart and gut. When danger is perceived, our sympathetic nervous system kicks in, preparing us to confront or escape the threat.
If the threat feels overwhelming and we feel unable to escape, our body may enter a “freeze” state as a survival mechanism. You may have experienced this during a frightening experience where you couldn’t scream or run away. The polyvagal theory emphasizes the role of safety and connection in regulating these responses.
Somatic therapy helps bring on the vagus nerve’s state of ‘rest and digest’ to help us regulate our nervous system.
Widely used somatic therapy modalities.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – EMDR is a highly researched somatic-based therapy that helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories using guided eye movements. It’s often used for teens with PTSD, anxiety, or unresolved trauma. Research has shown that EMDR can reduce the intensity of traumatic memories, helping teens respond to triggers with greater resilience.
- Somatic Experiencing (SE) – Developed by Peter Levine, SE focuses on releasing trauma stored in the body by gently guiding clients to revisit and discharge physical tension caused by trauma. It emphasizes the importance of feeling safe during the process.
- Brainspotting – A practitioner uses a pointer to guide a client’s eye gaze to specific positions called “brainspots”. These positions access deeper brain processes and bypass conscious thinking to heal trauma.
- Breathwork and Body Awareness – Breathwork techniques are used to calm the nervous system, while body awareness exercises help teens recognize where they hold tension, promoting release through guided movement or stretching.
- EFT Tapping – A somatic intervention used to reduce distress by the patient tapping on acupressure points on the body, while either being guided by a practitioner or on their own. As the person taps on these points, she addresses emotional issues, working with the mind-body connection.
- Somatic therapy is especially helpful for adolescents and young adults.
This is a great option because our young ones often have trouble verbalizing their symptoms of trauma and stress. This style of therapy helps them recognize the bodily sensations caused by emotional triggers. When we learn to recognize these sensations, we can better manage our emotions and reduce impulsive reactions.
When anyone learns to safely process trauma, the symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD will reduce. By addressing and releasing tension held in the body, better sleep and an overall feeling of well-being is provided. Somatic practices can provide tools for our teens to manage difficult emotions and stress anywhere they go.
If your teen is struggling with trauma, finding the right therapeutic approach can make a lasting difference. As a Therapeutic Consultant, I help families identify the best programs and treatment providers for all things mental health.
Schedule a no-cost discovery call with Rae Guyer, therapeutic consultant to discuss options.
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Photo credit, Lidilia Moor
