What is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: An Introduction

For many patients, traditional talk therapy has not been the silver bullet they needed to achieve inner peace and heal from their traumas. As a result, new and innovative forms of therapy are receiving much-needed attention.

Sensorimotor psychotherapy is one of these innovative approaches to traditional therapy, and if you want to try something outside of the box, you’ve found the best option. Let’s dig in.

How It Works

The foundation of sensorimotor psychotherapy comes from the work of Dr. Pat Ogden, who combined principles of somatic psychology, neuroscience, and attachment theory. The idea is simple but powerful: trauma is stored in our bodies just as much as our minds.

A sensorimotor psychotherapy session involves a therapist guiding their patient to notice different body sensations that occur often. The idea is that these signals hold clues to past experiences. Instead of talking about those painful memories, sensorimotor psychotherapy allows you to observe and release the body’s natural responses in the safety of a therapist’s office. Over time, this process helps regulate the nervous system and restore a sense of calm and balance.

What Can Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Do for Me?

People turn to sensorimotor psychotherapy for plenty of justifiable reasons, like recovering from trauma, reducing anxiety, improving emotional regulation, or just working to feel better about themselves. For those dealing with PTSD, stress, or attachment-related challenges, you may have found your solution.

Clients often report feeling more grounded, resilient, and connected to themselves. By integrating both physical and emotional awareness, sensorimotor psychotherapy offers healing that goes beyond words.

Ready to Learn More?

The Montana Center for Somatic Psychotherapy is here to help. Our dedicated staff of expert therapists can provide you with more information about sensorimotor psychotherapy. Contact us today for more details.