Sensorimotor therapy: therapeutic applications and benefits for trauma –

The sensorimotor therapy (TSM) It is a form of therapy that combines psychological theory with the somatic approach. It is used to treat trauma, anxiety and other emotional disorders related to the experience of the body. Sensorimotor therapy is especially effective for people who have experienced trauma and have developed negative emotional responses and physical symptoms related to the trauma.

In this article, the therapeutic applications and benefits of sensorimotor therapy for trauma will be described, with reference to recent research.

What is sensorimotor therapy?

The sensorimotor therapy It is based on the idea that the body may contain traumatic memories and repressed emotions that can be released and processed through awareness of the body and attention to physical sensations. In sensorimotor therapy, the therapist and patient work together to identify patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior that have developed in response to the trauma. Through attention to physical sensations, emotional and sensory memories associated with the trauma can be accessed.

The sensorimotor therapy uses specific techniques to help the patient process and release trauma. For example, the therapist can work with the patient to identify physical sensations associated with the trauma and then help the patient regulate those sensations. It can also help the patient identify patterns of thinking and behavior that have developed in response to the trauma and find new ways to respond to difficult situations.

Therapeutic applications of sensorimotor therapy for trauma

The sensorimotor therapy It has been used to treat a variety of trauma-related disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, and other emotional disorders. Sensorimotor therapy has been found to be particularly effective in treating trauma-related symptoms, including anxiety, anger, guilt, shame, and dissociation.

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Sensorimotor therapists work with patients to identify the physical sensations associated with the trauma and to help them regulate those sensations. For example, the therapist may teach the patient deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety and muscle tension associated with the trauma. She can also help the patient identify patterns of thinking and behavior that have developed in response to the trauma and find new ways to respond to difficult situations.

Benefits of Sensorimotor Therapy for Trauma

The sensorimotor therapy It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of trauma and other emotional disorders related to the body. A 2016 study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that sensorimotor therapy was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in military veterans. Other study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress in 2018 found that sensorimotor therapy significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD in survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Besides, the sensorimotor therapy has been praised for its ability to help patients develop greater awareness and acceptance of their bodies and physical sensations, which may be especially important for people who have experienced trauma. Sensorimotor therapy can also help patients develop skills for emotional regulation and resilience.

In summary, the sensorimotor therapy It is an effective form of therapy for the treatment of trauma and other emotional disorders related to the body. Through attention to physical sensations, sensorimotor therapy helps patients access and process emotional and sensory memories associated with the trauma safely and effectively. Additionally, sensorimotor therapy can help patients develop skills for emotional regulation and resilience, which can improve their quality of life in the long term.

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Bibliographic references

  1. Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Sensorimotor therapy: Interventions for trauma and attachment. Barcelona: Paidós.

  2. Price, C.J., & Hooven, C. (2018). Effects of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy on PTSD: A Review of the Empirical Literature. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 19(1), 107-118.

  3. Rhoton, LA, Overstreet, NM, & Lykins, AD (2018). Changes in posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid symptoms after a modified 20-session cognitive processing therapy for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid symptoms of depression or anxiety. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 31(5), 674-684.

  4. Wang, L., Cooper, J., Zhang, J., & Zhu, X. (2016). The effectiveness of body-oriented interventions in treating veterans with PTSD: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 2026.

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