Somatic Therapy in Vancouver, BC

Trauma-informed therapy with a focus on physical, emotional and nervous system regulation

Ease your emotional triggers and feel safe in your body once again 

Somatic therapy helps you reconnect with your body, release stored trauma, and return to a sense of emotional safety. By working directly with nervous system responses and physical sensations, not just your thoughts, this approach supports deep, lasting healing. Our somatic therapists integrate body-based techniques, Somatic Experiencing, and mindfulness practices to help you build coping mechanisms, strengthen your connection to the body, and foster emotional resilience throughout your healing process.

What Is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy is a trauma-informed and body-based approach to mental health that focuses on how the body stores and expresses past experiences, especially those linked to trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses on thoughts and emotions alone, somatic therapy works directly with the nervous system, helping individuals gain insight through their physical experience.

At its core, somatic therapy focuses on nervous system regulation, teaching clients how to respond to internal signals such as tension, pain, or discomfort without becoming overwhelmed. By working with physical sensations, breath, posture, and emotional triggers, clients begin to understand how their bodies respond to stress or traumatic events and how they can safely return to a regulated state.

Whether you're seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, relationships, or stored trauma, our Vancouver somatic therapists can guide you through a gentle healing process. We offer somatic therapy in Vancouver, BC, both in person and online.

Somatic Therapy vs Talk Therapy

Many clients ask about the difference between somatic therapy and traditional talk therapy. While both approaches can be effective, they differ in focus and method.

Talk therapy focuses on cognitive processing, discussing memories, emotions, and behaviors. It offers important insight and helps clients develop a narrative around their struggles. However, for many people, especially those dealing with trauma or high stress, this isn’t always enough.

Somatic therapy, by contrast, addresses the mind-body connection by focusing on the physical symptoms of stress, like tightness, restlessness, numbness, or holding patterns. Through body awareness, paying attention to sensation, and working with nervous system regulation, clients often access and shift deeper patterns more effectively.

At Sana, we believe these modalities complement each other. Many of our clients benefit from an integrated approach, where somatic work is combined with cognitive insight to support both mind and body.

Whether you're seeking therapy for anxiety, depression, relationships, or stored trauma, our Vancouver somatic therapists can guide you through a gentle healing process. We offer somatic therapy in Vancouver, BC, both in person and online.


Stages of Somatic Therapy

With a dual-modality approach, our Vancouver counsellors can address the interconnected web of trauma hidden within the body. By working with the psychological component of your goals and targeting the body to become more regulated, this treatment can help you cope and live in the present moment.

Safety

At the beginning of each session, whether online or in person, our counsellors will ensure you feel safe to ensure that your sessions are contained and effective.

Goals

Your somatic therapist will first talk with you about your goals for therapy and what you hope to work through with your somatic sessions. If you’re interested, your therapist will also offer psycho-education so you understand the methods and the “why” behind them to help you achieve your goals.

Body Awareness

Your somatic therapist will first work with you to help your body release stored trauma, focusing on your posture, movement, and nervous system activation.

Meaning Explorations

After bringing more awareness to your physical experience, together with your therapist, you’ll investigate the underlying causes of your trauma, anxiety, or relationship troubles and how to better manage the physical, emotional, and cognitive expressions of your experience.

Ongoing Care

After working through your initial concerns, you and your therapist will revisit your goals for therapy and determine the best course of action for ongoing therapeutic care.


“Thank you so very much for all of your support and guidance over the past few years. The sessions I have had with you have been truly life altering and I will forever be grateful to Sana for helping me trust my body again! I wouldn’t be where I am today without your help and I feel so lucky to have met you!”
— MV

Your mental health is inextricably linked to your overall physical health

Somatic therapy is different from other therapeutic methods because it focuses on what your body is communicating, as well as your words. Awareness and slowing down allows for your nervous system to have a new experience, which allows for healthy change. Attachment dynamics, adverse experiences, and trauma are mirrored in your body and tend to become patterned. Your patterned physical movements can say a lot about your past experiences. Taking the time to understand and work through the narratives that affect your body and nervous system  will allow you to shift an experience for the better, allowing for physical, mental,  and emotional progress and well-being.


How to start with Somatic Counselling at Sana

Here’s how you can begin your journey with Somatic Therapy at Sana in 3 simple steps:

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Step 1: Book your free consultation

This is a free 15-minute call with one of our counsellors to talk about your mental health concerns and see if Somatic Therapy is a good fit for you.

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Step 2: Match with your counsellor

Our team will match you with the Sana counsellor who has the best experience to support your goals. You can have your sessions in person at our Vancouver studio or online.

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Step 3: Your first session

Your first session is an opportunity for you and your therapist to get to know each other, see if you vibe, and ensure you have the necessary support systems in place before diving into counselling.


Move beyond traditional talk therapy and feel safe in your body once again

We want to support you on your trauma journey in any way we can. A call with one of our counsellors is a low-pressure way to see if this modality is right for you.