Somatic therapy is a holistic approach that recognises the profound connection between mind and body, helping you release trauma and tension stored in your physical form. At UK Therapy Guide, we connect you with qualified somatic therapists who specialise in this powerful body-based approach to healing emotional distress.
Somatic Therapy Online
Discover somatic therapy online in the UK with qualified therapists who specialise in body-based healing to help trauma, stress, and emotional challenges.
Somatic therapy addresses how trauma and emotions become physically stored in the body, offering relief when traditional talking therapies may fall short.
When Your Body Holds What Words Can't Express
When we experience trauma, our bodies hold onto the memory through physical sensations and tension patterns. These bodily responses aren't just symptoms but crucial parts of the healing journey.
Many people experience trauma, anxiety, or emotional distress that manifests physically – tension, pain, fatigue, or a persistent feeling of being disconnected from your body. These sensations aren't just physical symptoms; they're often your body's way of storing unprocessed emotions and experiences that traditional talk therapy alone might not fully address.
You may have tried different approaches but still feel stuck, as if something remains unresolved beneath the surface. This happens because traumatic experiences don't just affect the mind – your nervous system and physical body encode these experiences, creating patterns that cognitive approaches alone may struggle to transform.
Reconnect with Your Body's Wisdom
Somatic therapy offers a different path to healing by working directly with your body's sensations and responses. Rather than focusing solely on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapists help you develop awareness of physical sensations, movement patterns, and nervous system responses – creating opportunities for release and regulation that complement traditional talking approaches.
Through online somatic therapy sessions with UK Therapy Guide's experienced practitioners, you'll learn techniques to:
- Recognise and release physical tension patterns
- Regulate your nervous system when feeling overwhelmed
- Build a compassionate relationship with your body
- Transform how you experience both your body and emotions
This integrative approach proves particularly effective for trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, and relationship difficulties where talking alone hasn't provided complete relief.
Somatic therapy techniques help restore your body's natural capacity for healing through gentle awareness practices and guided movement, creating pathways to recovery even from longstanding trauma.
Common Questions About Starting Somatic Therapy
Many people find somatic therapy approachable and gentle despite initial uncertainty. The work moves at your pace, always respecting your boundaries and comfort levels.
"Does somatic therapy work online, or do I need to be in person?"
Online somatic therapy is remarkably effective. UK studies demonstrate online somatic approaches achieve comparable outcomes to in-person care, with recovery rates of 48.1% versus 49.8% for in-person sessions.
"Will I have to share all the details of my trauma?"
No. Unlike some approaches, somatic therapy doesn't require you to extensively discuss or relive traumatic experiences. The focus remains on present-moment bodily sensations and gentle awareness rather than detailed retelling of difficult events.
"I'm not comfortable with physical touch - is that required?"
Not at all. Online somatic therapy never involves physical touch between you and your therapist. The work focuses on your own body awareness and self-regulation techniques that your therapist guides remotely, respecting your boundaries at all times.
"I've tried therapy before without success. How is this different?"
Somatic therapy addresses trauma and emotions through the body rather than just through talking. For many people, especially those with trauma, this physiological approach offers a breakthrough when cognitive methods alone haven't provided complete relief.
Not Sure if Somatic Therapy is right for you?
Our quick quiz can help you understand if therapy could be beneficial.
Our Quick Quiz Helps You:
- Learn what therapy actually involves
- Understand how it might help you
- Discover what to expect from sessions
- Get clarity on practical matters like costs
Expert Somatic Therapy Support, Tailored to Your Needs
Our dedicated team personally matches you with somatic therapists who align with your needs, preferences, and therapeutic goals, ensuring the right fit from the start.
At UK Therapy Guide, we specialise in connecting you with the right somatic therapist for your unique situation. Our approach ensures you receive qualified, experienced care:
- Free personal therapist matching service with specialists in somatic approaches
- All therapists thoroughly vetted and qualified in somatic modalities
- Secure, private online therapy platform with over 12 years of experience
- Expert guidance from real people who understand somatic therapy – not algorithms
- Flexible session times to fit your schedule
- UK-based therapists who understand the British healthcare context
How it Works
Finding the right online therapist shouldn't feel overwhelming. Our simple, personalised process ensures you're matched with the perfect counsellor for your needs.
Share Your Preferences
Complete our brief placement form to tell us about your needs, schedule preferences, and what you're looking for in a therapist.
Free Consultation Call
Have a friendly chat with our placement specialists who'll take the time to understand your situation and match you with the perfect therapist for your needs.
Begin Your Journey
Meet your carefully matched therapist and start working together through regular sessions to achieve your therapeutic goals.
Meet Our Online Therapists in the UK
Finding the right online counsellor shouldn't be complicated. Our placement team personally knows every counsellor in our network, ensuring we can match you with someone who truly understands your needs.
Why we recommend Edmund
Edmund Neill-Hall provides compassionate, client-centred therapy to help individuals overcome challenges like anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. His blend of Person-Centred and Experiential approaches creates a safe space for self-exploration, empowering clients to reconnect with themselves and find lasting healing.
Sussex
Confidence & Self-Esteem Coach
Trauma-Informed Therapist
Workplace Stress
I am a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor trained in the person-centred and experiential approaches. Prior to becoming a therapist, I travelled widely and worked overseas, encountering diverse people, cultures, and ways of...
I am a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor trained in the person-centred and experiential approaches. Prior to becoming a therapist, I travelled widely and worked overseas, encountering diverse people, cultures, and ways of interpreting the world. But it was the exploration of my own inner world, through therapy, that brought me the self-awareness and compassion necessary for a more balanced and contented life. My experience of both sides of the therapeutic relationship informs my trust in the value of counselling and its potential to heal and galvanise. I am registered with the BACP and adhere to their code of ethics. I hold an Accredited Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I run my own international private practice online, and hold face-to-face appointments with local clients at The Wilbury Clinic in Hove.
Clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed, struggling to cope, and unsure of how to navigate life’s many challenges. My aim is for us to gently unravel and untangle your thoughts and feelings, working together to make sense of what’s going on for you. Each person’s therapeutic journey is unique, yet our common desire is simply to feel better. It is important to me that from our first session together, we are working towards this goal.
My approach aims to help you reconnect with yourself, even if you are still discovering who that is. In so doing, we will start to uncover what has brought you to the place that you find yourself in. No matter how overwhelming the pain or the challenges you may feel, we will face them together in a safe and empathetic space. My role is to act as a supportive and understanding guide; enhancing your ability to draw upon your internal resources.
My therapeutic approach draws on my person-centred and experiential training.
PERSON-CENTRED
Your life is unique. I can never know you or the path you should follow better than you do. I believe that we each have within us the resources to live a healthy and fulfilling life. However, these abilities can sometimes get blocked or distorted by our personal circumstances and relationships, past and present. We will explore your issues, feelings, beliefs, behaviours, and worldview to help deepen your own understanding and self-awareness. I believe that the key to enabling another’s potential lies in consistently offering acceptance, empathy, and kindness.
EXPERIENTIAL
This approach works with the knowledge that emotions are felt, experienced and stored in our bodies. For example, for some of us anxiety may be felt as a constriction of the chest and shortness of breath, for others it might reside in the gut. An emotion may be triggered by thoughts in our head, but it is felt in our bodies. Paying attention to the wisdom of our body can give us insight into our emotional state, helping guide us towards better understanding.
Therapy Offered
- Body Therapy
- Client Centred Therapy
- Person Centred Therapy
Speciality areas
Qualifications
- L4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
- Theories of Personality and Behaviour
Session Fees
| Session Type | Online & Phone | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | £60 | £60 |
| Adolescent | £60 | £60 |
Why we recommend James
James brings over 15 years of experience in treating stress, anxiety, and depression with a mindfulness-based, integrative approach. Specialising in bereavement, trauma, and emotional well-being, he helps clients build resilience and emotional wisdom, fostering deep healing and lasting change.
London
Trauma-Informed Psychotherapist
Mindfulness Therapy Specialist
Bereavement Support Expert
I have been working as a therapist for over 15 years, specialising in the treatment of stress and anxiety disorders, depression, bereavement, loss, trauma and other life challenges. Consulting from...
I have been working as a therapist for over 15 years, specialising in the treatment of stress and anxiety disorders, depression, bereavement, loss, trauma and other life challenges. Consulting from a private practice in Fulham, I use a combination of psychotherapy and mindfulness-based interventions as a gateway to change, helping clients to come alongside their own thoughts, feelings and habitual behaviours, rather than wrestle with them. This creates the conditions for emotional wisdom, growth and wellbeing.
I work from the premise that awareness is fundamentally healing and that within each of us, within our ‘core’, there lies the potential to connect more deeply with our inherent health and wisdom. As human beings, we tend to be fearful of change and the inevitable uncertainty that life transitions can bring. The mindfulness-based process of bringing wise and compassionate attention to ourselves and different aspects of our being that may be hidden, wounded or hurting mitigates this ‘anxiety of uncertainty’ and allows us to cultivate a different relationship with our experience; one in which we see ourselves more clearly and increase our capacity to move towards the challenges of life transition in a more resourceful way.
My therapeutic approach also focuses on the intrinsic nature of well being and does not seek to pathologise or over-identify with any particular psychiatric condition or diagnosis.
It takes great courage to come and see a complete stranger for an initial chat/consultation. However this first step is worthwhile as it gives me a chance to find out a little bit more about what’s happening for you currently and to tell you about how we might work together. This enables you to make an informed decision about whether you want to work with me going forward and If you decide to do so, you will be entering into a healing relationship with someone who is trained to hold and come alongside whatever is alive and going on for you with kindness, presence, insight and compassion.
Sessions will be weekly ( face to face, online or by telephone) and scheduled for a regular day and time. I do understand that sometimes flexibility is required and in these instances I try my hardest to offer alternatives where my diary allows.
Therapy Offered
- Bereavement Therapy
- Body Therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Integrative Therapy
- Person Centred Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Relational Therapy
Speciality areas
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) In Mindfulness Based Psychotherapeutic Practice / Core Process Psychotherapy from the Karuna Insitute & Middlesex University
- Qualified Mindfulness Teacher - CPD Pathway in Mindfulness Based Practice - Centre for Mindfulness R
- MBA (Master in Business Administration - CASS Business School
- BA Hons 2:1 Phiolosophy - York University
Session Fees
| Session Type | Online & Phone | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | £80 | £80 |
Why we recommend Matt
Matt offers a compassionate, client-centered approach to therapy. Specialising in a wide range of issues, from trauma and mental health to neurodiversity and grief. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or life transitions, Matt's expertise ensures that clients receive tailored, holistic support on their journey to healing.
Nottingham
15+ Years Experience
Neurodiversity Specialist
Palliative Care Support
I will work out with you the best way of caring for you. Life can be so hard that's why we have kindness and compassion at the heart of therapy....
I will work out with you the best way of caring for you. Life can be so hard that’s why we have kindness and compassion at the heart of therapy. My therapy specialises in working with a broad range people from 2-102; Mental Health; Families; Trauma, Attachment, Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Grief, Shame, Self-Criticism, Identity; Neurodiversity; Autism, Disability (physical and cognitive), Head injury, Stroke, Palliative Care, Staff groups, Dementia, Addiction Recovery, Self-Care and Eating Disorders. I qualified as a Therapist in 2006 and trained in 2016 in Compassion Focused Therapy which is at the heart of my approach. I work two days a week for a University since 2006 where I train Therapists.
I will work out with you the best way of caring for you. Life can be so hard that’s why we have kindness and compassion at the heart of therapy. My therapy specialises in working with a broad range people from 2-102; Mental Health; Families; Trauma, Attachment, Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Grief, Shame, Self-Criticism, Identity; Neurodiversity; Autism, Disability (physical and cognitive), Head injury, Stroke, Palliative Care, Staff groups, Dementia, Addiction Recovery, Self-Care and Eating Disorders. I qualified as a Therapist in 2006 and trained in 2016 in Compassion Focused Therapy which is at the heart of my approach. I work two days a week for a University since 2006 where I train Therapists.
I will work out with you the best way of caring for you. Life can be so hard that’s why we have kindness and compassion at the heart of therapy. My therapy specialises in working with a broad range people from 2-102; Mental Health; Families; Trauma, Attachment, Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Grief, Shame, Self-Criticism, Identity; Neurodiversity; Autism, Disability (physical and cognitive), Head injury, Stroke, Palliative Care, Staff groups, Dementia, Addiction Recovery, Self-Care and Eating Disorders. I qualified as a Therapist in 2006 and trained in 2016 in Compassion Focused Therapy which is at the heart of my approach. I work two days a week for a University since 2006 where I train Therapists.
Therapy Offered
- Art Therapy
- Bereavement Therapy
- Body Therapy
- Child Therapy
- Client Centred Therapy
- Drama Therapy
- Humanistic Therapy
- Integrative Child Therapy
- Integrative Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Person Centred Therapy
- Psychoanalytic Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
Speciality areas
Qualifications
- Compassion Focused Therapy
- Music Therapy
- Creative Expressive Therapies
Session Fees
| Session Type | Online & Phone | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | £75 | - |
I was skeptical about online therapy, but from the first session, it felt natural and personal. My therapist helped me manage my anxiety, and now I have practical tools for daily stress. The flexibility to fit sessions around my work schedule was invaluable.
What Is Somatic Therapy and How Does It Work?
Somatic therapy works by helping you notice and shift unhelpful patterns in your nervous system, allowing for the completion of stress responses that may have been interrupted during traumatic experiences.
Somatic therapy is a body-centred approach that addresses the physical manifestations of trauma, stress, and emotional issues. Unlike traditional talking therapies, somatic approaches recognise that traumatic experiences become embedded in your body's physiology through stress responses. During overwhelming events, your autonomic nervous system may enter a "freeze" state, trapping energy in muscles and tissues that later manifests as chronic pain, anxiety, or dissociative symptoms.
Key somatic therapy techniques used by our UK therapists include:
- Titration: Your therapist helps you gradually approach difficult sensations in manageable increments, preventing overwhelm
- Resourcing: You identify internal and external supports to maintain stability during the healing process
- Body awareness exercises: You develop conscious connection with physical sensations as they arise and shift
- Movement practices: Using gentle, mindful movement helps you release stored tension patterns
- Pendulation: You learn to alternate attention between comfort and activation to build resilience
These evidence-based techniques help restore nervous system regulation, addressing both psychological and physiological aspects of healing.
Types of Somatic Therapy Available Online in the UK
Our UK-based somatic therapists offer several specialised approaches to address different needs:
Somatic Experiencing (SE): Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE helps you release trapped survival energy and complete thwarted defensive responses. This approach particularly helps with PTSD, anxiety, and trauma recovery, using techniques like titration and pendulation to discharge trapped energy gradually and safely.
Somatic Trauma Therapy: Specifically designed to address traumatic experiences, this approach works directly with your body's stress responses and helps regulate your nervous system. If you have complex PTSD, childhood trauma, or dissociative symptoms, this specialised form of somatic counselling often provides relief where other approaches haven't.
Somatic Sex Therapy: This approach addresses sexual difficulties, trauma, and intimacy issues through a body-aware approach. This specialised form helps you reconnect with your body, address trauma-related sexual concerns, and develop healthy sexual expression in a safe, trauma-informed way.
Bioenergetics: Developed by Alexander Lowen, this approach combines body psychotherapy with psychoanalysis to help individuals understand and resolve emotional and psychological issues through working with their physical experiences. It focuses on how energy flows through the body and how chronic muscle tension and other physical symptoms can block this flow, often stemming from early life experiences and unresolved trauma. Through physical exercises, breathing techniques, and verbal processing, bioenergetics aims to release these blocks, restore natural energy flow, and promote emotional expression and self-awareness.
Different somatic approaches share core principles while offering specialised techniques for specific issues, from developmental trauma to relationship challenges to sexual healing.
Benefits of Choosing Online Somatic Counselling
Online somatic counselling offers unique advantages that make healing more accessible and effective for many people:
Enhanced Privacy and Comfort Working from your own space can feel safer when addressing sensitive trauma-related issues, allowing your nervous system to relax more fully during sessions.
Consistent Access to Specialists: Online therapy eliminates geographical barriers, connecting you with somatic specialists regardless of your location in the UK. This proves particularly valuable as most somatic practitioners were traditionally concentrated in London and major cities.
Integration into Daily Life: Practising somatic techniques in your everyday environment helps transfer these skills more effectively to real-world situations. Your therapist guides you through exercises using objects and spaces from your actual living environment, creating immediate practical relevance.
Real-Time Nervous System Regulation: During online sessions, your therapist guides you through immediate self-regulation techniques when difficult emotions arise, teaching practical skills you can apply independently between sessions for ongoing self-support.
Comparable Effectiveness: Research demonstrates that online somatic therapy achieves similar outcomes to in-person care, with UK studies showing 48.1% recovery rates online versus 49.8% in-person. The NHS's 2023-2024 investment in trauma-informed care has further validated online somatic approaches through partnerships with digital providers.
Online somatic counselling brings expert guidance into your personal space, creating a safe environment where your nervous system can relax and healing can occur naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Therapy
- What exactly is somatic therapy?
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Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach that recognises how emotions, trauma, and stress are stored physically in your body. Rather than focusing solely on thoughts and talking, somatic therapists help you tune into physical sensations to release tension, regulate your nervous system, and process difficult experiences. This approach bridges the gap between mind and body, addressing the physiological aspects of psychological distress.
- How does somatic therapy differ from traditional talking therapy?
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While traditional talking therapy focuses primarily on thoughts, beliefs, and verbal processing, somatic therapy addresses how emotions and trauma are stored in your physical body. Rather than just discussing issues, you learn to notice body sensations, tension patterns, and nervous system responses. This physiological focus makes somatic therapy particularly effective for trauma, as traumatic experiences often become embedded in the body beyond conscious awareness or verbal expression.
- What conditions can somatic therapy help with?
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Somatic therapy is particularly effective for trauma-related conditions (PTSD, complex trauma), anxiety, depression, chronic stress, chronic pain, psychosomatic issues, and relationship difficulties. Research shows it's especially beneficial for issues where traditional talking therapies alone haven't provided complete relief, as it addresses the physiological components that cognitive approaches might miss.
- What happens during an online somatic therapy session?
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Online somatic therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes and involve guided awareness of physical sensations, breathing exercises, gentle movement, and dialogue about your experiences. Your therapist guides you through body scans, grounding techniques, or helps you notice and shift tension patterns. Unlike in-person sessions, online somatic therapy doesn't involve touch between you and your therapist but focuses on your own awareness and self-regulation skills.
- Is somatic trauma therapy different from general somatic therapy?
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Yes. While all somatic therapy addresses the body-mind connection, somatic trauma therapy specifically focuses on how traumatic experiences affect your nervous system and body. It employs specialized techniques like titration (approaching traumatic material gradually) and pendulation (moving between activation and calming states) to safely process trauma without retraumatisation. This approach particularly suits those with PTSD, developmental trauma, or trauma that hasn't responded to cognitive approaches alone.
- How many somatic therapy sessions will I need?
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The number of sessions varies widely depending on your specific needs, history, and goals. Some people experience significant relief within 8-12 sessions, while others with complex trauma may benefit from longer-term work. UK data shows an average of 7.9 sessions for online therapy interventions, though your therapist will work with you to develop a personalised treatment plan based on your unique situation.
- What qualifications should I look for in a somatic therapist?
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Look for therapists with specific training in somatic approaches such as Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, or Hakomi. In the UK, therapists should be registered with professional bodies like BACP, UKCP, or equivalent organisations. All somatic therapists at UK Therapy Guide hold these qualifications plus specialised certifications in their somatic modality, ensuring you receive expert, ethical care.
- Can somatic sex therapy help with sexual trauma or difficulties?
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Yes. Somatic sex therapy specifically addresses sexual difficulties, trauma, and intimacy issues through a body-centered approach. It helps you reconnect with bodily sensations, establish healthy boundaries, and process sexual trauma in a safe, contained way. This approach can particularly help with sexual dysfunction, intimacy avoidance, or sexual concerns stemming from past trauma, offering pathways to healing that respect your comfort and boundaries.
- How effective is online somatic therapy compared to in-person?
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Research shows online somatic therapy achieves comparable outcomes to in-person treatment. UK studies demonstrate recovery rates of 48.1% for online therapy versus 49.8% for in-person sessions, with similar client satisfaction rates (87% online versus 89% in-person). Many clients actually prefer the safety and comfort of their own environment when working with body-based techniques.
- How much does somatic therapy cost in the UK?
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Somatic therapy sessions typically range from £60-£120 per session in the UK, depending on the therapist's experience and location. At UK Therapy Guide, we offer transparent pricing and can help you find a somatic therapist within your budget.