Introduction
In the world of counselling, much emphasis is often placed on what is said — the words, the stories, and the patterns of thought that shape our emotional landscape. But what if the body has been speaking all along? What if the truest signals of our experiences, traumas, and emotional truths are not found in our words, but in the subtle language of our bodies?
This is the heart of somatic expressions in counselling: recognising and understanding how the body communicates and using that awareness to foster deeper healing. In my practice as a counsellor, I have seen how learning to listen to the body can unlock progress for clients who feel “stuck” in traditional talking therapy.
The body, after all, is a map — storing memories, tensions, and unspoken truths. From a trembling hand during a difficult conversation to the shallow breath of anxiety, these signals are not random. They are clues that, when acknowledged, can guide us toward recovery and self-connection.
The Body as a Messenger
Our bodies are constantly in communication with us, even when our conscious mind is unaware. Science now supports what ancient healing practices have known for centuries: the mind and body are intrinsically connected. When we experience stress, grief, or trauma, those experiences are not confined to the mind; they leave imprints in muscles, posture, breathing, and even our nervous system patterns.
Common somatic expressions include:
- Tension and stiffness – often associated with suppressed anger, fear, or chronic stress.
- Restlessness or fidgeting – a sign of anxiety or discomfort.
- Collapsed posture – reflecting sadness, depression, or defeat.
- Tight, shallow breathing – commonly linked to anxiety or hypervigilance.
- Numbness or detachment – often tied to trauma or dissociation.
In counselling sessions, noticing these cues — sometimes even before a client becomes aware of them — can help bring unconscious emotions into conscious awareness.
Understanding Somatic Expressions
Somatic expressions can be subtle, yet they are often incredibly telling. Here are key ways they manifest in the counselling space:
1. Breath Patterns
Breathing reflects our state of mind. Rapid, shallow breaths often indicate stress or panic, while deep, slow breathing suggests relaxation. Noticing a client’s breath during moments of discomfort can help a counsellor gently guide them towards calming, grounding practices.
2. Muscle Tension
Clients may clench their jaws, cross their arms tightly, or grip their hands without realising it. These signs of tension often point to unspoken anger, fear, or guardedness.
3. Eye Contact
Avoidance of eye contact can reveal feelings of shame, fear, or vulnerability. Conversely, intense or fixed eye contact may indicate defensiveness or hypervigilance.
4. Body Posture
Leaning back, curling inward, or slumping shoulders can suggest emotional withdrawal or sadness. Open, upright postures often indicate a sense of safety or confidence emerging during therapy.
5. Nervous System Responses
Sweaty palms, trembling, or even an inability to sit still can reflect a body stuck in a state of fight, flight, or freeze.
Somatic Counselling: A Holistic Approach
Somatic counselling integrates traditional talk therapy with body-based techniques that recognise the interconnectedness of mind and body. This approach acknowledges that trauma, stress, and even patterns of thought are stored in the body, often requiring more than cognitive reframing to achieve lasting healing.
Key Techniques in Somatic Counselling
1. Grounding Exercises
Grounding is a powerful tool for clients experiencing anxiety or dissociation. Techniques may include feeling one’s feet firmly on the floor, noticing sensations in the body, or focusing on objects in the room.
Example exercise:
Place your hands on your lap, press your feet gently into the ground, and name five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
2. Breathwork
Encouraging clients to observe and regulate their breath promotes calm and presence. Diaphragmatic breathing, also called belly breathing, helps reduce stress and increase emotional regulation.
3. Somatic Tracking
This involves guiding clients to notice sensations in their body without judgement. For example, a tightness in the chest during a discussion about family dynamics may highlight underlying grief or anxiety.
4. Movement and Expression
Gentle movement, stretching, or shaking can help release stored tension. Activities like yoga, tai chi, or even walking by the Kent coast can help integrate body and mind.
5. Nature-Based Somatic Practices
In Dover, the sea and surrounding natural landscapes offer a perfect environment for nature-informed therapy. Clients often benefit from mindful walks along the beach, using the rhythm of the waves and the vastness of the horizon to regulate emotions and find grounding.
The Science Behind Somatic Awareness
Research in neuroscience and psychology supports the idea that the body holds trauma. The work of experts like Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score, highlights how trauma alters the brain and nervous system, often leading to hypervigilance, dissociation, or chronic pain.
Somatic therapies help re-establish a sense of safety by teaching clients to feel without becoming overwhelmed. Through repeated safe experiences, the brain and body begin to “unlearn” fear responses, making healing sustainable and profound.
Case Examples: The Power of Somatic Work
Case 1: Anxiety Held in the Chest
A client experiencing severe anxiety described a constant tightness in their chest during sessions. Through breathwork and somatic tracking, they learned to identify early signs of anxiety and developed tools to release tension before it escalated.
Case 2: Releasing Trauma Through Grounding
Another client, struggling with the aftermath of emotional trauma, often froze during therapy when recalling painful memories. By incorporating grounding techniques — feeling the solidness of the therapy chair, pressing their feet into the floor, and practising slow, deliberate breathing — they began to feel safer processing their experiences.
Case 3: Nature-Based Healing
A client dealing with burnout found relief in outdoor somatic exercises along Dover’s seafront. Walking slowly, feeling the texture of pebbles underfoot, and listening to the waves provided a sensory reset that complemented their talk therapy sessions.
Somatic Awareness for Self-Healing
Even outside the counselling room, cultivating somatic awareness can help individuals develop resilience and self-understanding. Here are some simple practices:
- Body Scans – Spend 5 minutes daily tuning into different parts of your body, noticing sensations without judgement.
- Gentle Stretching – Release tension in the neck, shoulders, and back to improve body awareness.
- Mindful Walking – Walk slowly, paying attention to your steps, breath, and surroundings.
- Journalling – Reflect on when and where you notice physical tension during the day.
Somatic Expressions in Trauma Recovery
Trauma often fragments the connection between body and mind. Somatic approaches rebuild that bridge, offering a sense of control and safety. Through guided awareness, clients learn that their physical sensations are not threats but information — empowering them to navigate healing at their own pace.
The Dover Perspective: Local Context Matters
Living and practising in Dover, Kent, I often encourage clients to incorporate the local landscape into their somatic healing. The rhythmic pull of the tide, the solidity of the cliffs, and the vast expanse of sea and sky provide a powerful backdrop for reconnecting with one’s body and breath.
Whether it’s a mindful walk on the shingle beaches or simple grounding exercises during a break along the White Cliffs, these small practices help integrate body awareness into daily life.
Conclusion
The language of the body is rich, complex, and deeply personal. In counselling, recognising and honouring somatic expressions offers a path to deeper self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healing. By integrating somatic practices — from grounding and breathwork to nature-informed techniques — clients can develop the tools they need to feel safe, empowered, and present.
In the quiet awareness of a clenched jaw or the slow release of a deep breath, there lies a story waiting to be told — and healed.
🔎 Visit my Blog – to learn more, or my website www.wellnesscounsellingservice.com my page on Psychology Today Elena Ward, Counsellor, Ruislip, HA4 | Psychology Today or Counselling Directory Counsellor Elena Ward – Dover & Ruislip – Counselling Directory to book a session in Dover or Ruislip.
Alternatively visit Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb or Counselling Directory Counselling Directory – Find a Counsellor Near You to find a Counsellor in your area.
Resources
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- van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Healing of Trauma. London: Penguin.
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