Somatic mental health practices focus on the connection between the body and mind. They have been increasingly incorporated into mental health services in Australia in recent years. These practices recognize the role of physical sensations, body and breath awareness, and movement in the treatment of mental health conditions. While traditionally, mental health care in Australia has been focused on talk therapies and pharmacological interventions, there has been growing recognition of the importance of integrating somatic approaches for a more holistic treatment model, particularly in trauma-informed care and mental health recovery.
Here are what I think of as the top 6 or ‘key’ Somatic Practices in Australia
1. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) and Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing (SE), developed by Peter Levine, is one of the most widely known somatic therapies for trauma. SE focuses on helping individuals release stored trauma from the body through body awareness, movement, and mindfulness techniques. This therapy assumes that trauma is often held in the body and that symptoms of trauma (such as anxiety, hypervigilance, and dissociation) can manifest as physical sensations, postures and movement attitudes.
Some public and private mental health services in Australia have integrated somatic experiencing techniques, particularly in trauma recovery programs. This is especially common in services that cater to individuals with a history of complex trauma, including those who have experienced childhood abuse, domestic violence, or military service. Australian mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, and counselors, can seek training in SE through accredited programs, and these practices have been adopted in specialized trauma therapy settings.
2. Body-Oriented Psychotherapy
When I was studying Psychology at Melbourne University I happened to pick up a book on the library shelf called Haikomi: Body Centred Psychotherapy. It hit at the heart of how disembodied our medical and therapeutic practices had traditionally been. After completing my degree I decisively moved my attention to the body as the place for healing. I studied Yoga and Yoga Therapy and attended extensive mediation retreats such as Vipassana.
Thirty years later and enough has changed that I can earn a living as a Yoga Therapist.
Body-oriented psychotherapy involves engaging the body as part of the therapeutic process, integrating physical sensations and movements with emotional and psychological work. Techniques in this approach may include breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, posture awareness, and gentle movements.
While not yet widespread in mainstream services, body-oriented psychotherapy is used in private practice settings and in some specialized community health programs, particularly those focused on stress management, chronic pain, and trauma recovery.
There are programs for therapists in Australia to specialize in somatic psychotherapy, and these approaches are becoming more integrated into trauma-informed therapeutic frameworks.
While what I offer aligns with the therapeutics of psychotherapy, it is body-centred. Yoga understands the nature of the mind - as taught by sages like Patanjali - and integrates the body as an aspect of consciousness. If you have ever wondered how I chose my business name: Body Centred Living… it is because the body is such a powerful place to affect mind, express mind and transform one’s experience of life.
3. Mindfulness-Based Somatic Practices
Mindfulness-based approaches, which often include elements of somatic practices, are being increasingly incorporated into our mental health services. These practices focus on helping individuals develop awareness of the present moment and the sensations in their bodies, which can be helpful for managing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Yoga and Meditation teachers have criticised the one dimensional nature of this training claiming it lacks the philosophical framework to provide a context for insight. Humans relate more powerfully to meaning and story and the traditions of Yoga and Buddhism for example are rich with these offerings. Noticing that one feels anxious and their breath is erratic and shallow can be triggering if there is no framework pointing toward freedom from suffering which the wisdom traditions expound.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) therapies combine mindfulness meditation with elements like body scans, yoga, and breathwork to increase body awareness and regulate emotional responses are used in both public and private mental health services, especially in programs for managing anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction.
These therapies are often provided in group settings or as part of individual therapy.
4. Yoga Therapy and Breathwork
Yoga therapy is becoming more recognized as an effective tool in mental health care in Australia, particularly for stress reduction and emotional regulation. Yoga helps connect body movements with emotional processing and can provide a physical outlet for stored trauma or stress. Breathwork, including deep diaphragmatic breathing and other breathing techniques, is often integrated into yoga therapy and somatic practices.
Incorporation in Australian Services: Yoga therapy and breathwork are occasionally used in mental health clinics, private practices, and hospital-based services as complementary therapies for stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma recovery. Some public mental health services offer yoga and meditation classes as part of their wellness programs, particularly for patients with chronic mental health issues.
Research and Training: Programs such as Yoga for Trauma and Trauma-Sensitive Yoga are being incorporated into some clinical settings, with specific training available for practitioners in Australia who want to integrate yoga into mental health care.
Unhelpful policies result in clients unable to access my services for Traum Informed Yoga and Somatic wellness.
NDIS Criteria for Eligibility
For any health care modality to be eligible for NDIS funding:
It must be directly related to the participant’s disability and its impact on their daily life.
It should help with achieving specific NDIS goals, such as improving independence, managing health needs, or enhancing social and community participation.
It needs to be reasonable and necessary, as determined by the NDIS planning process. This means the support should be necessary for the participant’s disability and should provide value for money, benefit to the participant, and align with NDIS guidelines.
My clients and those medical professionals who refer to me as fully aware that the Yoga Therapy would meet theses criteria, yet here we are. At best, the clients psychologist or O.T may recommend me to be included as part of the clients NDIS plan.
5. Somatic Movement Therapy
Somatic movement therapy involves using movement to reconnect individuals with their bodily sensations, helping them become more aware of their physical state and its relationship to their emotional and psychological well-being. This approach may involve structured movement exercises, dance, or free-form movement.
Use in Australian Mental Health Services: Somatic movement is being applied in psychosocial rehabilitation programs, particularly for individuals recovering from mental health crises or chronic mental illness. These therapies can help individuals regain a sense of agency, express emotions non-verbally, and reduce stress. They are often used in conjunction with other therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
6. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach developed by Pat Ogden that blends somatic techniques with traditional talk therapy to address trauma, anxiety, depression, and attachment issues. This approach focuses on the physical sensations, posture, and movement patterns that may be linked to emotional experiences.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is used in private practice settings and is also offered in some specialized clinics, especially those treating clients with trauma and complex emotional issues. Mental health professionals in Australia may undergo specialized training in sensorimotor psychotherapy as part of their clinical development.
Integration with Government-Supported Services
The Australian government, while traditionally focused on more conventional psychological services, has increasingly acknowledged the importance of holistic and integrated care. Some of the initiatives that have incorporated somatic practices or principles include:
Headspace: Headspace, a national youth mental health foundation, provides mental health support services for young people aged 12-25. While it is not primarily somatic-based, Headspace offers a variety of mindfulness and body-focused therapies in its programs, particularly in areas such as stress management and trauma recovery.
Mental Health Recovery Programs: In various state-run mental health recovery services, somatic approaches, such as yoga, mindfulness, and body-awareness training, are sometimes included as part of community-based rehabilitation programs for people with chronic mental illness.
Research and Evidence
The incorporation of somatic therapies in mental health services in Australia is backed by growing research into the role of body awareness in mental health treatment. Various studies have suggested that somatic therapies can improve outcomes for individuals with conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. However, while these practices are becoming more widely accepted, they are still often considered complementary to more conventional mental health interventions, rather than being the primary focus of treatment.
Conclusion
Somatic mental health practices have made inroads into Australian mental health services, particularly within trauma-informed care, mindfulness practices, and alternative therapies like yoga and body-oriented psychotherapy. These practices complement traditional therapeutic approaches and are gaining ground in both public and private mental health settings. The integration of somatic approaches into clinical services aligns with a broader shift toward more holistic, person-centered mental health care that addresses the body and mind as interconnected systems.