Body and Mind in Therapy
Integration. Resolution. Embodied peace. These are words to describe my desire for all clients in therapy. This yearning to feel a deeper level of healing stems from repeated conversations I have had in sessions. Conversations that start something like this, “I am well aware that my thinking was not aligned with reality,” or “I know I have all the coping skills I needed, but it didn’t matter.” We are intelligent beings, but the brain alone is not enough. This is where the body comes in.
According to Bloch-Atefi and Melbourne (2013), our relationship to ourselves, others and the world is not only rooted in our mind and thoughts, but also in our bodies. The researchers reviewed empirical data on multiple body-based therapies and interventions including, breathwork, relaxation techniques, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, tapping, touch therapy, mindfulness practices, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Their findings support that “body-oriented psychotherapy interventions” are effective in different populations and settings (Bloch-Atefi & Melbourne, 2013).
Each time we have an emotional experience, our minds are motivated to make sense of it. We may try to override the uncomfortable body sensations with distraction, minimizing, numbing, criticizing, or even making a joke. But tapping into the often uncomfortable, physical experience may just be the path to deeper healing.
Some of the benefits of incorporating the body into therapy include better sleep, reduced feelings of depression, decrease in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and even improvements in gastrointestinal health (Bloch-Atefi & Melbourne, 2013).
Experience would suggest that we are far more capable of tolerating discomfort than we believe. The influential psychiatrist, Carl Jung said, “The difference between a good life and a bad life is how well you walk through the fire.” Our emotions can feel like fire – hot, intense, or even overwhelming. We may even desire to diffuse them quickly. However, what if they are the most valuable guidance we need? So, check in. When you are feeling something, what are you literally feeling inside your body? Can you tolerate if for a few more seconds, breathe into it, notice it and name it? It may be trying to tell you something important. Unfortunately, we can’t always hear what our body is trying to tell us when our mind is busy deploying coping strategies. Try to refocus, make space for your body to guide you.
Bloch-Atefi, A., Smith Melbourne, S., (2013). The effectiveness of body-oriented psychotherapy: A review of the literature. Psychotherapy and Counseling Journal of Australia, 2-6. https://pacja.org.au/2015/07/the-effectiveness-of-body-oriented-psychotherapy-a-review-of-the-literature/
Jung, C. Quote retrieved on 8/30/22 from: https://resilientblog.co/inspirational/quotes-about-fire/
Jung, C. Quote retrieved on 8/30/22 from: https://resilientblog.co/inspirational/quotes-about-fire/
