Somatic Informed Therapy

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Somatic-informed therapy incorporates awareness of the body's sensations, movements, and responses into the therapeutic process. Rather than focusing only on thoughts and feelings, this approach also considers how you experience emotions physically.

For example, anxiety might show up as a racing heart, tension, restlessness, or difficulty relaxing. Stressful or painful experiences may leave you feeling disconnected, guarded, or constantly on alert.

With the support of a therapist, you can begin noticing these responses with curiosity and compassion. Depending on your needs and your therapist's approach, sessions may include grounding exercises, noticing physical sensations, mindfulness, and exploring the connection between emotional experiences and bodily responses.

The goal isn't to force yourself to relax or revisit experiences before you're ready. It's to help you develop awareness, recognize your needs, and explore ways to feel more present and supported.

Somatic-informed approaches may complement therapy for individuals experiencing:

• Stress and overwhelm: Notice how stress affects your body and explore ways to respond with greater awareness.
• Anxiety: Recognize physical signs of anxiety and practice grounding strategies that help you stay connected to the present.
• Trauma and difficult life experiences: Explore how past experiences may influence present-day responses at a pace that feels manageable.
• Emotional awareness: Develop a better understanding of the physical sensations that accompany different emotions.
• Feeling disconnected from yourself: Build awareness of your needs, boundaries, and internal experiences.
• Life transitions and personal growth: Strengthen your connection with yourself as you navigate change and uncertainty.

Every person's experience is different. Somatic-informed therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and your therapist can help determine whether these strategies align with your goals and needs.

Starting therapy can feel unfamiliar, especially if you're used to focusing on what you think rather than what you feel in your body.

In somatic-informed sessions, you may be invited to slow down, notice physical sensations, explore emotional responses, or practice grounding techniques. You and your therapist can work together to identify what feels helpful and comfortable for you.

You remain in control of your experience. You do not have to share everything at once or participate in exercises that don't feel right for you.

Over time, this approach may help you recognize your stress responses, become more aware of your emotions, and develop additional ways to navigate challenging moments.

Tori Alexander, LLMSW, offers a compassionate, collaborative approach to therapy at Inner Peace Therapy. Her interest in somatic-informed work supports a whole-person perspective that recognizes the relationship between emotional experiences, physical sensations, and everyday well-being.

Tori works alongside individuals to explore their concerns, build self-awareness, and identify strategies that fit their personal needs and goals. Her approach emphasizes creating a supportive space where clients can feel heard, respected, and empowered throughout their therapeutic journey.

Tori offers both in-person therapy in East Lansing, Michigan, and virtual sessions. This flexibility allows individuals to explore therapy in a setting that works for them.

You may want to explore somatic-informed therapy if you notice that stress affects you physically, have difficulty feeling grounded during challenging moments, or want to better understand the connection between your body and emotions.

You don't need to know exactly what you're feeling or have the right words to describe your experiences. Therapy can provide space to slow down, become curious about your responses, and learn more about yourself without judgment.

At Inner Peace Therapy, we meet you where you are and recognize that growth can look different for everyone.