What is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?

Who developed sensorimotor psychotherapy?

Sensorimotor psychotherapy is an approach developed by Pat Ogden. It integrates three realms of experience: somatic, cognitive, and emotional. It treats trauma and attachment issues and encourages engagement in the present moment and mindful awareness of the body.

It draws from:

·       Somatic therapies

·       Neuroscience

·       Polyvagal theory

·       Structural dissociation

·       Attachment therapy

·       Cognitive approaches

·       Principles of interpersonal neurobiology

What is great about the model of sensorimotor psychotherapy is that it integrates the key concepts that bridge the brain and body of the client. This then allows for the incorporation of the body's innate ability to adapt, health and develop new capacities.

How does sensorimotor therapy differ to talk therapy?

While talk therapy may focus on emotions and thoughts. Sensorimotor psychotherapy has clients shift into a place of mindful exploration. Where body sensation, posture and movements are included.

It is important for these aspects to be integrated into therapy as past traumas are 'remembered' through sensorimotor reliving of non-verbal iterations of historical traumatic events (dysregulated, arousal, emotions, defensive responses). This can show up in mysterious physical symptoms which may seem to have no organic basis (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute 2018).

Through engaging sensorimotor psychotherapy, new possibilities are discussed, and new actions may be experimented with to relieve such disruptive symptoms.

Talk therapy alone can struggle to do this. This is because these historical traumatic events are inaccessible to verbal recall. Some refer to these symptoms as frozen in time as they remain unintegrated and unaltered throughout time.

What does sensorimotor psychotherapy treat?

This therapy type aims to help people with physical symptoms of trauma and psychological distress. It does this through targeting the core physiological states that are keeping them trapped in a trauma response.

The body-orientated approach accounts for the importance of the somatic dimension when trying to reach memories that are encoded only as sensory fragments or physical patterns. These fragments and patterns develop over time in response to traumatic experiences.

Sensorimotor psychotherapy believes each person has their own guiding intelligence. A psychologist helps the client delve into and understand their experience. This then allows the client better to understand the impacts.

Does sensorimotor psychotherapy require my psychologist to touch my body?

No. Sensorimotor psychotherapy is considered a body-oriented talking therapy. It is commonly thought touch is required touch to engage in it, yet touch is not required to benefit. It is considered different from massage or other body therapies in this regard.

In Australia, psychologists are not allowed to touch client’s bodies.

What does sensorimotor psychotherapy target?

It targets gestures, postures, sensations, and movement. These are agents of change. This is one of the reasons sensorimotor psychotherapy can be a powerful tool to help clients expand their "movement vocabulary".

Somatic expressions communicate meanings and expectations. They influence the way content is explicitly expressed and essentially determine the content itself.

During sensorimotor psychotherapy you will be encouraged to tap into your somatic narrative. You will then use your own body as the vessel which guides you through the experience.

What is a Somatic Narrative?

It is thought to be a record of one's history which is held in the body rather than the mind. If you engage in sensorimotor psychotherapy you will be encouraged to deepen your body awareness as well as your understanding of your interoceptive 'vocabulary'. This can help you to explain and understand your inner experiences better.

A Somatic narrative includes,

1.Gesture

2. Posture

3. Prosody

4. Facial Expression

5. Eye Gaze

6. Movement

A person’s somatic narrative tells a story.

What Symptoms can Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Treat?

Research has shown sensorimotor psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating a range of mental health issues related to trauma. These include:

·       Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

·       Anxiety

·       Depression

·       Dissociation

·       Low self-esteem

·       Interpersonal issues within relationships

Limitations of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

As with other therapies there are limitations to sensorimotor psychotherapy. For some it may be more triggering and overwhelming to work with body-orientated techniques. For these individuals other therapy types may be more suitable. That is not to say once engaging in other therapy types first, one cannot revisit sensorimotor psychotherapy had find benefit then.

Ogden, P. & Goldstein, B. (2020). Sensorimotor Psychotherapy from a Distance: Engaging the Body, Creating Presence, and Building Relationship in Videoconferencing. In H. Weinberg & A. Rolnick (eds.) Theory and Practice of Online Therapy: Internet-delivered Interventions for Individuals, Families, Groups, and Organizations. pp: 47-63. New York: Routledge.

Ogden P, Pain C, Fisher J. A sensorimotor approach to the treatment of trauma and dissociation. Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2006 Mar;29(1):263-79, xi-xii. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2005.10.012. PMID: 16530597.

Van der Kolk, B. A., & Van der Hart, O. (1991). The intrusive past: The flexibility of memory and the engraving of trauma. American imago, 48(4), 425-454.

Ogden, P., & Fisher, J. (2015). Sensorimotor psychotherapy: Interventions for trauma and attachment. (D. Del Hierro & A. Del Hierro, Illustrators). W W Norton & Co.

The Somatic Narrative in the Treatment of Trauma: A Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Approach Ame Cutler, PhD Trauma Talks Conference Toronto, Ontario June 8, 2018.