Somatic Psychotherapy for Women – Holistic Counselling

Why Somatic Psychotherapy for Women Matters

Somatic psychotherapy for women builds on the strengths of talk therapy, a trusted pathway for emotional insight and growth. But sometimes words alone don’t feel like enough – especially when trauma, stress, or anxiety show up in the body as much as the mind.

Somatic psychotherapy offers a gentle, body-aware way to bridge that gap. Instead of focusing only on thoughts, it helps you notice and work with the ways your body holds tension, pain, and lived experience.

For women navigating anxiety, reproductive trauma, or chronic stress, integrating somatic therapy into counselling can bring a deeper sense of connection and relief.

What Is Somatic Psychotherapy?

Somatic psychotherapy starts with a simple truth: the mind and body are deeply connected. Emotional experiences aren’t just “in your head” – they are often stored in your body.

You may have felt this yourself:

• A tight chest when anxiety rises
• Shoulder tension during conflict
• A “gut feeling” when something feels off

Somatic therapy uses this awareness as a doorway to healing. Sessions may include:

• Breathwork
• Grounding exercises
• Mindful movement
• Body scans and somatic inquiry

These practices connect emotional insight with physical awareness – helping healing to reach a deeper level.

How Somatic Psychotherapy for Women Complements Counselling

Somatic psychotherapy doesn’t replace talk therapy – it enhances it.

A session might involve:

• Exploring trauma or grief through dialogue
• Using breath awareness to calm the nervous system
• Noticing how bodily sensations connect to emotional pain

This integrated approach is especially valuable if you:

• Feel stuck in traditional talk therapy
• Experience trauma responses that don’t shift through words alone
• Struggle with body-based symptoms of stress or distress

It’s a way to access the wisdom of the body – where experience is stored, and where healing often begins.

Reclaiming the Mind-Body Connection

One of the greatest benefits of somatic psychotherapy for women is increased self-awareness. With support, clients learn to:

• Recognise physical and emotional cues like fatigue, restlessness, or tension
• Understand how these cues link to stress, trauma, or mood
• Use body-based tools to regulate and restore balance

For women and gender diverse individuals, these practices can reduce overwhelm, ease anxiety, and build resilience in everyday life.

Who Is Somatic Psychotherapy For?

Somatic counselling can be particularly effective for:

• Women and gender diverse people navigating hormonal changes, chronic pain, or reproductive trauma
• Anyone living with anxiety, depression, or PTSD
• Those feeling disconnected from their bodies
• Trauma survivors who need a gentler, body-aware approach

A Broader Path to Healing

Whether you are facing reproductive grief, chronic stress, or simply feeling out of touch with your body – somatic psychotherapy offers a compassionate, integrative way forward.

It helps you reconnect – not just with thoughts, but with your whole self.

In Summary, Somatic Psychotherapy Offers

• A deeper understanding of how the body stores emotional experience
• Expanded tools for healing, beyond words
• Greater emotional resilience and awareness
• Support for trauma, stress, and those feeling stuck in talk therapy alone

About the Author

Written by Nina Isabella, Holistic Women’s Health Counsellor, Childbirth Educator & Somatic Psychotherapist at Fertile Ground Health Group.

Nina offers trauma-informed counselling and somatic techniques, including breathwork, tailored to your unique physical and emotional needs. Whether you’re living with chronic pain, hormonal changes, or life transitions, Nina provides space to support and reconnect with both your body and mind.

💬 Book a free 10-minute consultation to see if counselling feels right for you.

Make a counselling booking with Nina

What the Research Says

Somatic Experiencing and PTSD

Somatic experiencing has been shown to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms in trauma survivors.
📄 Payne, P., Levine, P. A., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015). Somatic experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Frontiers in Psychology.
DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093

Breathwork and Stress Regulation

Slow, breath-focused practices used in somatic therapy are linked to improved anxiety and stress regulation.
📄 Zaccaro, A. et al. (2018). How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
DOI:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353