Somatic Trauma Therapy Crash Course: Core Skills and Interventions to Treat Trauma through the Body

CPD

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.

Handouts

Speaker

Stacy Ruse, LPC Related seminars and products

---

Stacy Ruse, LPC, a pioneer in the trauma field, weaves together IFS, EMDR, and Somatic therapy that honors and unites transpersonal and ancient wisdom with modern neuroscience. As the founder of Aglow Counseling, Stacy provides global training and clinical consultation, specializing in inclusive, heart-centered approaches. She is an IFS Clinical Consultant, EMDR Consultant, and Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500). Stacy is known for her compassionate presence and integrative, embodied approach to deep healing.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Stacy Ruse is the owner of Aglow Counseling and has an employment relationship with Mindfully. She receives compensation as a consultant. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. Stacy Ruse is a paid consultant for Evergreen Certifications. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Stacy Ruse is a member of EMDRIA, the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists, and the Longmont Area Psychotherapy Network.

Additional Info

Objectives

1. Define how trauma disrupts natural adaptive processing.
2. Utilize Polyvagal Theory concepts to create a sense of safety and connection in therapy.
3. Examine foundational somatic techniques, including interoceptive awareness, titration, sequencing, and somatic repatterning.
4. Choose somatic interventions clients can use when they are in acute distress.
5. Develop emotional regulation in clients using body-based tools and mindfulness practices.
6. Arrange a safe therapeutic environment to prevent re-traumatization of clients.
7. Identify risks and potential limitations of somatic techniques in the treatment of trauma.

Outline

• Introduction to Somatic Therapy:
  • Overview, goals, and importance in trauma treatment
• Understanding Trauma Disruption:
  • Pathology of maladaptive trauma storage
  • Emotional, sensory, and belief manifestations
  • Fragmentation and dissociation
  • Neural network reinforcement in unprocessed trauma
• Natural vs. Incomplete Stress Responses:
  • Key concepts of adaptive resolution vs. frozen trauma states

• Polyvagal Theory Basics:
  • Ventral vagal complex and its role in safety and connection
  • Hyperarousal vs. hypoarousal in trauma
• Head, heart, and gut “brains”
• Psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune system interrelation
• Neuroception: Recognize safety and danger
  • Create safety in therapy
  • Reduce hyperarousal and build trust
  • Prevent re-traumatization
• Emotional Regulation and Resilience:
  • Techniques to buffer stress and traumatic memories
  • Empower clients to take an active role in their healing journey
• Interoceptive Awareness: Develop self-awareness through bodily sensations

• Heart Coherence Understanding and Practice
• Core Somatic Practices:
  • Two hand techniques
  • Mind body awareness
  • Breathing exercises, body scans, and paired muscle relaxation
  • Gentle touch and heart-focused compassion practices
• The Science of Embodiment Practices:
  • Interoception, exteroception, and proprioception
  • Body awareness and empowerment through movement
  • William Reich’s body armor and belts of tension
• Somatic Trauma Processing:
  • Pendulation, titration, sequencing, and repatterning: Techniques for releasing stored trauma
  • Somatic Questions
  • Slow conscious movement and breathwork for release
  • Lack of body awareness and other issues

• Tailor techniques to individual client needs
• Integration in clinical practice and with other methodologies
• Potential risks and limitations
• Q&A and wrap-up: Recap and final questions

Target Audience

• Counsellors
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Addiction Counsellors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Other Mental Health Professionals