CPTSD: Talk Therapy vs Somatic Therapy

#somatichealing #cptsd #talktherapy
Healing from Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder requires a comprehensive approach. For many people, the journey begins with talk therapy, a widely recognized form of psychotherapy. Talk therapy for CPTSD focuses on verbalizing thoughts, emotions, and experiences to gain insight and reframe negative thought patterns. This can be very helpful for developing coping strategies, understanding triggers, and building a narrative around past trauma. Therapies like *Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)* and *Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)* are often used in this context. They provide a structured way to address the cognitive and emotional components of CPTSD, helping individuals manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, and mood dysregulation.

However, the nature of complex trauma means that it is not only stored in the mind but also in the body. This is where *somatic therapy* offers a powerful and complementary path to healing. Somatic therapy, or body centered therapy, operates on the principle that the body holds onto the physiological imprints of trauma. Unlike talk therapy which can be a top down approach, somatic therapy is a bottom up approach, working with the nervous system to release stored trauma. It incorporates techniques that focus on physical sensations, movements, and breathwork. The goal is to help the individual become more aware of their body’s responses and learn to regulate their nervous system.


For someone with CPTSD, the nervous system is often stuck in a state of hyperarousal or hypoarousal, the fight flight or freeze response. Somatic therapy helps to gently and safely discharge this trapped energy. Techniques like *Somatic Experiencing**, **sensorimotor psychotherapy**, and **trauma informed yoga* help to restore the body’s natural ability to self regulate. This can lead to a reduction in chronic pain, tension, and a greater sense of safety and presence in the body. By working with the body directly, somatic therapy can access trauma that intellectual or verbal processing alone cannot reach.

Combining talk therapy and somatic therapy can be particularly effective for CPTSD. Talk therapy provides the framework for understanding and processing the traumatic events while somatic therapy addresses the physical and neurological residue of the trauma. This integrative approach acknowledges the full scope of complex trauma’s impact on a person's life, from their thoughts and emotions to their physical sensations and nervous system. The combination allows for both insight and embodied healing, fostering a more complete and lasting recovery. Deciding which approach or combination of therapies is right for you is a personal journey and it is important to find a therapist who specializes in trauma and can guide you with a compassionate, informed approach.


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