Somatic therapy in Forest Hill, London

Somatic psychotherapy works with the body (from the Greek *soma*) alongside the mind, recognising that our thoughts, emotions and physical sensations are deeply connected and constantly shaping one another. Instead of relying on words alone, we bring attention to what the body is holding — tension, breath, posture, sensation — as another way of understanding your experience. This can support nervous system regulation, help process difficult events, and build a more grounded, embodied sense of self. Any work with the body is offered gently and collaboratively, entirely at your pace, with no pressure to work in ways that don't feel right for you.

Somatic psychotherapy brings the body (from the Greek *soma*) into the therapy room as an equal partner to the mind, working from the understanding that our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations are never really separate — each shapes and is shaped by the others. Have you ever noticed your jaw clench without knowing why, or felt a wave of relief move through your chest the moment a hard conversation ended? Our experiences don't only live in our thoughts; they're held in the body too, often telling us things before we've found the words for them.

Working directly with the body can help calm and regulate an overwhelmed nervous system, sharpen your sense of what you actually need in a given moment, make room for feelings that have been hard to access, and process past or present experiences in a way that's paced to what you can hold.

Any body-based work in session is offered gently, collaboratively, and always with your consent. We move only in ways that feel comfortable to you, and there is never any pressure to try something that doesn't sit right. Many ways of working with the body involve no touch at all, and don't require leaving your seat — this space is built around your comfort first, and together we can find an approach that fits how you feel safest working.

**Who is this kind of therapy for?**

Anyone interested in supporting their wellbeing and making change that lasts, through a holistic lens that treats mind, body and emotion as one connected system rather than separate parts.

This approach can help with:

- Mental health struggles (sadness, anxiety, dissociation, and more) - Unexplained physical pain or symptoms - Chronic pain - Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or dysregulated - Processing specific experiences, whether traumatic or not - Shifting long-standing relationship patterns - Body image concerns - Family conflict - Major life transitions (moving, new jobs, marriage, new parenthood, loss, and more) - And more

Reviewed by Dr Karen Gonzalez, Integral Psychotherapist

Last reviewed: 23 July 2026

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