When Talk Therapy is Not Enough

In this course, Anisa Varasteh, clinical sexologist, Director, Relate Sexology, offers a rationale for sensorimotor psychotherapy, particularly in cases of trauma from early childhood. Noting how the body’s response to a traumatic threat is generally adaptive during the traumatic event, Varasteh explains that the body continues to have the same response when the environment has changed. This somatic narrative is a communication from the body and to others in our lives, but in cases of PTSD, may take us out of our window of tolerance, causing maladaptive hyper- or hypo-arousal. Detailing how some of the intense emotions (or lack of emotions) show up in the body, Varasteh shows how mindful awareness of the organisation of experience can open a doorway into unconscious patterns from early childhood and begin the healing. She offers examples of somatic resources.