“The therapist who is familiar with bodily feelings has a privileged window into the primal life of the psyche and soul. No amount of talk alone can match this vantage point.” -Peter Levine
TRAINING INFO:
Did you know that 80% of communication between the brain and body originates in the body and is sent TO the brain? This highlights how deeply our behaviors and emotions are influenced by unconscious, somatic processes. The sensations we feel in our bodies carry profound wisdom about our experiences and help shape our emotional and behavioral responses. Understanding this connection is crucial in trauma-informed care. Somatic therapy, for instance, recognizes that our nervous systems are constantly communicating, often outside of conscious awareness, through non-verbal signals. This embodied understanding enhances a therapist’s ability to support healing by attuning to the subtle cues of the client's, and therapists' own, body and nervous system. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to connect with our own somatic experiences—becoming more aware of our breath, body sensations, and emotions. Through a combination of lecture and hands-on practice, you’ll learn how to embody this understanding in your work, deepening your capacity to support clients on their healing journeys. By cultivating a greater awareness of our own bodies and nervous systems, we can create a deeper, more intuitive connection with those we serve, allowing for more effective and compassionate care.
AGENDA:
Day 1: Intro to somatic theory and science
Day 2: Embodied application of theory-practicing therapeutic presence
OBJECTIVES:
- Define theoretical principles of somatic therapy (including polyvagal theory, right brain to right brain communication, the stress response, bidirectional highway, neuroception and mirror neurons)
- Gain an understanding of the importance of including the body in the healing process
- Understand how non-verbal communication shows up in the therapy room below conscious awareness
- Gain tools for identifying and supporting nervous system states in self and clients
LOCATION:
UL LAFAYETTE STUDENT UNION, LAFAYETTE, LA 70503
PRICING:
$250-$300 Equity Registration-Select what in this range works best for your financial situation and needs
Two scholarships based on financial need and interest in training content. Email kathryn@yourtherapygarden.com to apply