Consider this explanation of the link between our emotions and body by Mona Lisa Schulz, M.D., Ph.D.:
Each of the brain’s emotional pathways for fear, anger, sadness, love and joy also connects through the brain stem to specific organs of the body. For example, if you are mad, the anger circuit in your brain and brain stem increases your heart rate and body temperament, muscles tense in the mouth, face, jaw, vocal cords, hands, and fists which cause you to groan, grit your teeth, clench your jaw, talk in a louder voice, clench your fists, drive fast. You feel tense and shaky and out of sorts. p. 68, The New Feminine Brain.
Each of the brain’s emotional pathways for fear, anger, sadness, love and joy also connects through the brain stem to specific organs of the body. For example, if you are mad, the anger circuit in your brain and brain stem increases your heart rate and body temperament, muscles tense in the mouth, face, jaw, vocal cords, hands, and fists which cause you to groan, grit your teeth, clench your jaw, talk in a louder voice, clench your fists, drive fast. You feel tense and shaky and out of sorts. p. 68, The New Feminine Brain.
Traditionally, psychotherapists have concerned themselves with treating a person’s feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and relationships, but little attention was given to the body. Since all our life experiences are recorded in the nervous system, though, it makes sense to use body work to help a person get through issues. Many traumas, for instance--from car accidents to rape, profoundly affect the body in ways that are often inaccessible in talk therapy alone.
When a person says, “I have a broken heart,” or “that makes me sick to my stomach,” or “that’s gut wrenching,” we know what they mean. Feelings go into the body. Therefore, we can follow the physical feelings (pressure, tightness, heat, queasiness, feeling empty or shaky, for instance,) in the body and allow the body itself to work the sensations out. Sometimes the physical sensations shift their location, change in intensity, or spread out, but, eventually, the feelings will work their way out of the body. The person is usually left with a feeling of relief, completion, and ability to face the difficult topic more easily.
This kind of therapy is not about the therapist touching you; it’s about your being mindful of the body and following the felt sensations, with the therapist's guidance.
The beautiful thing about sensorimotor therapy is that we can limit our focus to the body, considering related thoughts and feelings later, if needed. That way, a person doesn’t become overwhelmed, especially when working on a difficult problem or trauma. It’s a great way to stay in the “window of tolerance” while still confronting experiences that have hurt you.
Since this is a "cutting edge" psychotherapy, and you may not be acquainted with it, please email me with any questions or concerns you have.
When a person says, “I have a broken heart,” or “that makes me sick to my stomach,” or “that’s gut wrenching,” we know what they mean. Feelings go into the body. Therefore, we can follow the physical feelings (pressure, tightness, heat, queasiness, feeling empty or shaky, for instance,) in the body and allow the body itself to work the sensations out. Sometimes the physical sensations shift their location, change in intensity, or spread out, but, eventually, the feelings will work their way out of the body. The person is usually left with a feeling of relief, completion, and ability to face the difficult topic more easily.
This kind of therapy is not about the therapist touching you; it’s about your being mindful of the body and following the felt sensations, with the therapist's guidance.
The beautiful thing about sensorimotor therapy is that we can limit our focus to the body, considering related thoughts and feelings later, if needed. That way, a person doesn’t become overwhelmed, especially when working on a difficult problem or trauma. It’s a great way to stay in the “window of tolerance” while still confronting experiences that have hurt you.
Since this is a "cutting edge" psychotherapy, and you may not be acquainted with it, please email me with any questions or concerns you have.