Introduction
“The body bears the scars of what the mind cannot endure.”
This beautiful quote by Alice Miller, a psychologist specialized in childhood trauma, perfectly captures the essence of somatic therapies. We’ve all experienced it at some point: a stomachache before a stressful appointment, eczema that flares up for no apparent reason, back pain when the days become too heavy. Despite treatments, the pain or symptoms return… like a signal.
For me, it’s my skin that speaks for me. If I sleep poorly, if I’m stressed, sad, or exhausted, it reacts immediately. Pimples appear, sometimes overnight. And nothing really soothes them… unless I start feeling better.
The body has its own way of speaking to us. It expresses what we don’t always dare to acknowledge: that we’re sad, overwhelmed, or holding too much inside. Somatic therapies begin with this bodily language. They invite us to listen to what our body already knows.
To anyone who feels in their body what the mind can no longer express — chronic stress, trauma, unexplained pain… This article will help you better understand what somatic therapies are.
What Are Somatic Therapies?
Definition
Somatic therapies, also called body-oriented or mind-body therapies, are approaches that aim to care for both the mind and the body. Their main goal is to work on the connection between the two. It’s not just about talking through our problems — we also engage the body in movement-based exercises to better feel what’s going on inside us and to understand the link between our emotions and physical sensations.
For example, by learning to tune into what our body feels, to recognize and release tension, we can gradually free ourselves from stress, overwhelming emotions, or painful memories that affect our physical and emotional balance.
What Do They Help With?
Somatic therapies can help alleviate many issues such as trauma, depression, anxiety, stress, addiction, sexual problems, and somatoform disorders.
A somatoform disorder is when we feel real pain or discomfort in the body, but doctors can’t find a clear physical cause. These pains are very real, but they’re often linked to emotional states or stress.
For instance, if you suffer from stomach aches, the doctor finds no medical cause, and yet the pain keeps coming back — it may be connected to stress or intense emotions. In that case, somatic therapy could be helpful.
Scientific Evidence: Are Group-Based Somatic Therapies Effective?
Maybe this is your first time reading an article on Healing Together, but as always, let’s turn to science to see if somatic therapies in group settings are actually effective.
Somatic group therapy has something profoundly human about it. Being together in the same space helps us feel less alone in what we’re going through. This format creates a kind of shared bodily awareness: we observe, listen, and see ourselves in the gestures, silences, or sighs of others. That shared experience alone can be deeply relieving.
These groups usually combine movement (breathing, stretching, grounding, dance…) with sharing and verbal expression. Participants are invited to explore what their body has revealed, stored, or released. The body remains central to the process. And in the group, we also learn from others: a posture, a gesture, or a sentence may resonate deeply and open the path to healing.
But do these positive feelings hold up in scientific studies? The answer is yes!
Group Therapy vs. Support Groups: What’s the Difference?
There are two types of group settings, and it’s important not to confuse them:
Both are helpful — and they can complement each other. Support groups help you feel seen and understood, while group therapy allows you to go deeper into healing.
Alternative Spaces: Definition and Comparison
Somatic therapies aren’t limited to clinical offices. They can also take place in what we call alternative mental health spaces.
But what are alternative spaces, you ask? Let me explain.
Alternative mental health spaces are welcoming environments for people experiencing psychological distress. These are non-traditional care settings offering collective activities, peer support, creative workshops, or shared living experiences.
You might find somatic therapies in nature settings or on digital platforms offering remote sessions via video call. The goal is to break isolation, empower people, and promote a humane, positive approach to mental health.
These spaces don’t replace medical care in times of crisis, but offer complementary options to feel better, rebuild social connections, and heal at your own pace — without judgment or labels.
The great news is: you can combine the benefits of these alternative spaces with somatic practices. Here’s one example:
Somatic Therapies in Alternative Settings
Somatic therapies use many tools — breathing, relaxation, movement, dance — and these can happen outside of traditional offices.
For example: practicing therapy in nature — in the woods, by a lake, or in a garden. Nature soothes the nervous system, lowers stress and anxiety, and helps us relax.
And yes, science backs this up!
Walking in the woods, gardening, meditating outside… these practices reconnect us with ourselves. We feel more in tune with our bodies, break away from routine, and return to the present moment.
The benefits of nature add to those of somatic therapy — offering a peaceful space where mind and body can reconnect.
Conclusion
If you’re curious to discover somatic therapy or join a group to explore the mind-body connection, you can check out our list of available groups on our website.
Take good care of yourself — and remember, you’re not alone.
Camille Cuny
