Using Visualisations in Somatic Trauma Work

There are times, when tracking sensations in the body, that my clients express a concern that they are simply imagining something that’s going on in their body as opposed to physically feeling anything. It’s a valid concern and certainly one to be curious about, but our imagination is actually a key instigator of healing in somatic work. It allows us to imagine other possibilities, other realities and can be harnessed to bring about powerful and positive shifts in our physiology and in our thinking. If you are in doubt, consider this: Studies show that imagined stress and actual stress result in the same physiological responses. If this is true then imagining a scenario where a traumatic events are changed so that they are not so overwhelming will similarly impact our nervous system for the better. Our minds are powerful. Best we put them to good use! Using visualisations in somatic trauma work is taught in the CPCAB L5 Certificate: Working somatically with Trauma  and includes completing defensive responses, introducing protectors and inner child work.