Introduction to the History of Somatics

History has always been important to me. In my undergraduate studies at the University of Vermont, I majored in theater and psychology. Some of my favorite classes were my theater history classes. I've always found it fascinating how we're actively being shaped by the time that we're living in. You can see throughout history, for example, that the kind of plays that were being written and produced were a reflection of what was going on in the world at that time. The same passion for history has come into my enthusiasm for somatic psychotherapy.

So when I saw that the New York Times came out with an article talking about what is this somatic thing I was really excited at first that somatics was becoming more mainstream and being explored as something important to note as a crucial development in the therapeutic world. I was rather disappointed though that this article missed such a fantastic opportunity, to really delve into the rich history of somatics. They only focused on one small part of the field of somatics, which is Somatic Experiencing created by Peter Levine.

What Levine has created over the decades he has been supporting others in healing from trauma has been an important contribution to the development and evolution of somatics and is not the only form or theory of somatic psychotherapy. For example, I got my Masters Degree in Somatic Psychotherapy from Naropa University. In my degree I did not learn any of Peter Levine’s theories or concepts, or approaches to somatic work.

I kept talking all week about how there are so many approaches to somatic work that are being under-discussed which brings me here now. For the next several episodes I will be exploring the history of somatics and I will include what would occur in a session with each kind of different somatic work. My hope is that you have a greater understanding of what this growing field of somatics is and also inform you of what kind of somatic practitioner you may most resonate with to also feel like you have more options on your own healing journey.

The United States Association of Body Psychotherapy states that the field of Somatics has been influenced by major psychoanalysts such as Wilhelm Reich and Pierre Janet along with "humanistic, existential, and gestalt psychology; by dance, movement and art therapies; by family and systemic theories; biology, neurology, anthropology and developments in neuroscience; and as well as by Eastern philosophies, and by spirituality or transpersonal psychotherapy."

These are some of the areas I will explore over the next few episodes here and if there is a specific realm of somatic work you've heard about and would love for me to discuss, email me at support@stephaniemara.com and let me know. Excited to dive into the world of somatics with you and stay tuned for the first history of somatics episode next week!