Somatic Therapy: online or in–person?

Somatic approaches have been growing in popularity – and with good reason! We can talk circles around our problems for years, but once a stuck trauma pattern is released from the body, the story tends to loosen its grip over our present-day self.

While working with the body is becoming an appealing and intriguing option for a growing number of people, the most common question we hear about somatic work is “does it matter if it’s done in person or online”?

I offer both in-person and online sessions to help people reconnect with their bodies and release the old stories that have been stored in them. I get this question all the time, and I’m happy to share some of my thoughts on the topic.

Does it matter if somatic work is done in person or online?

The short answer is, it depends on what you’re working on! Let’s zoom out for a minute - the only access you have to this reality is through your senses, which are embedded in your body. Your conscious mind is great at interpreting and categorizing some of the data your body gathers, but it’s not as great at releasing the stored charge of all of that input (which becomes very important for the more traumatic events in our lives).

Ultimately, only the body has real access to everything you went through; your highs and lows (and everything in between) are coded in your nervous system in a variety of sensory ways. Somatic therapy creates space for your body to speak its own narrative of the most important events in your life, and once that narrative is thoroughly heard (or experienced), the nervous system can release the associated charge - so it no longer impacts your normal functioning.

This, of course, is a gross oversimplification of the process - but it helps you get a sense of how this work happens. That being said, there are many ways in which your body might move and release those stagnant narratives.

Some of them are accessed through deliberate sensation (heat, tingling, expansion / contraction, etc.), some through imagery and symbolism (eg. it feels like I’m on the edge of a tall cliff, or like I’m floating in the ocean, etc.), movement (eg. shaking, pushing, etc.), emotional releases (eg. tears, laughter, anger, etc.), sound (eg. screaming, growling, screaming, etc.), boundary setting (verbal or physical), and many, many more.

As you can imagine, a lot of those experiences can be accessed in the comfort of your home, through a virtual session. A present and competent guide can help you direct your attention to the ways in which your body might be communicating, and offer creative suggestions for various ways you might “hear” and act on what’s being offered. So you can certainly do a lot of work virtually, and it can be very, very impactful and healing in many ways. And, there’s always more that can be done to support you.

I’ll outline some of the unique benefits of online and in-person sessions below, so you can better understand your options. But before we get into that, it’s worth acknowledging that there are many other variables that contribute to the success of your therapy sessions. For example, the way you feel in the presence of your therapist may be way more important than any of the other logistics. Depending on your circumstances, it might be more important that your therapist has lived experience with the things you’re working on, has certain availability, speaks a certain language, understands certain cultural norms and/or belongs to a certain community, etc.

I encourage you to not get too hung up on finding the “perfect” fit from a logical standpoint, and allow yourself to find a practitioner that feels right to you. Depending on your circumstances, it might be more important that you get help sooner than later vs. getting it in a specific way. This article simply offers some insight into the benefits of each format, but ultimately, what matters is that you get the help you need in a way that’s most accessible for you.

The unique benefits of in–person somatic work

The most obvious benefit is the physical containment that a therapist’s office provides. It exists outside of all of your daily distractions, it’s safe and confidential, you don’t have to worry about any interruptions or multitasking, etc. and can just focus on yourself and your process.
This can also create a bit of a “ritual” space for your body and mind. Having a dedicated healing space can prime you for deeper explorations, as all layers of you start to associate the physical place with the depths of your internal landscape. I often have unexpected insights on my way to my therapist’s office.
Being in a physical space with a neutral and compassionate other that you trust creates an excellent opportunity for boundary explorations. We get to play with where the chairs are in the room, how far we sit from each other, the angle at which we face (or don’t face) each other, etc.
We get to help you find your embodied sense of safety around another person and give you a chance to practice setting, negotiating, and repairing your boundaries in physical and relational space. This can be a great way to process previous boundary violations and (re)establish a better sense of your present-day self.
None of our “real world” interactions are neutral, and there might be many ways we override our real preferences for the benefit of the situation (or the relationship) at hand. Being in the same physical space gives us an opportunity to identify and attune to your actual rhythm of connection.
How much eye contact / attention is too much (or too little)? What is it really like for you to be seen? Can you hold on to your internal process while in my presence, or do you become preoccupied with my experience of you?
The interpersonal space of the therapy office is such rich territory for us to explore the way you relate to others in your world. And, it is as close to a neutral space as you can get - who knows what you’ll discover about yourself if the situation doesn’t demand that you show up in a specific way?
Somatic modalities offer a whole range of ways our bodies can interact in service of your nervous system. Touch work can be a brilliant way to gain access to experiences stored in the body that might otherwise remain out of reach.
Various types of touch work can offer a felt sense of safety and reassurance, bring body-memories to the surface, and offer the support and containment your nervous system might need to release some of those old stories.
This type of touch work is done fully clothed, and is offered in a gentle and attuned way based off of your body’s response.
Our nervous systems are very responsive to our social environments, and we can use the therapeutic container to help your nervous system regulate off of your therapist’s.
That shared physical space is rich with all kinds of relational data that your nervous system is (re)calibrating off of, and it can be very supportive to have your body learn new skills through this non-verbal, visceral experience.
In-person sessions are also great at providing more options for spontaneous movement, sound, physical impulses, etc. without having to adjust your headphones, reposition your laptop, etc.
Ultimately we want to restore more vibrancy, fluidity, and spontaneity in your nervous system, and it can be lovely to be a in a physical space that allows for uninterrupted connection - no matter where your impulses take you.

All of that being said, in-person somatic sessions might not be accessible to you for a wide variety of reasons. As you’ll see below, somatic work is still immensely helpful when done online, and a skilled practitioner can still support a deeply embodied experience throughout your sessions.

The unique benefits of online somatic work

The most obvious benefit is convenience and accessibility. There are already so many barriers to accessing mental health support, and the more seamlessly we can integrate it into your life, the more sustainable this work will be in the long run. We want this work to be nourishing and supportive for you, instead of being an extra stressor that requires multifaceted coordination.
Creating a sense of safety and containment is a big part of somatic work, and those are so much more readily available in an environment that’s already familiar, cozy, and supportive for you (especially if you’re new to this type of work). You being able to chose your therapeutic environment is hugely beneficial for reducing strain on your nervous system, and allows us to better focus on the work you’re here to do.
Physical commute to and from the session creates unnecessary charge, tension, and distraction in your nervous system. Online sessions allow us to more easily come into & out of the therapeutic process, without having to spend too much extra time on managing the impacts of the many stimuli you might have encountered on the way to session.
Meeting from the comfort of your home also allows you to have access to many additional items of comfort and support throughout the session. Whether it’s your favourite blanket, your fuzzy throw pillow, or that hot tea in your favourite mug – all of those can provide additional support as your nervous system moves through the content of our sessions.
Remote sessions also allow for more space to linger in the “afterglow”. This is probably the most important benefit of online somatic work - it can be so immensely helpful to have that extra time to integrate and support all of the shifts that happen during session, without having to rush off into your commute. This work can open up many aha moments, insights, and avenues for further exploration - that extra time afterwards helps to keep your experience intact, and allows you to really process and settle into the benefits of the session.
Aftercare is more readily available in the environment of your choosing. Depending on what happens in the session, you might have an impulse for movement, a desire for a warm tea or nourishing food, you might need more space to cry or wrap yourself in your favourite blanket. Coming into contact with what we need is an essential part of somatic work, and remote sessions make it more likely that you’ll be able to meet those post-session needs in a more thorough way.

Of course, the above assumes that you have access to a safe and comfortable indoor space, and a reliable device / internet connection to participate in online sessions. I appreciate that this is not the case for many, and going to an office might be the only way you can access an environment conducive to this work. Somatic work is still immensely helpful in person, and keeping the above in mind can help you plan ahead for it in a way that minimizes the strain of in-person somatic work and maximizes the benefits.

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It’s important that you feel safe, seen, and understood in our work together. You can tell me what you’re working on, and what’s important to you. I’ll let you know how I can help, and we’ll see if we’re a good fit!

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My office is in Vancouver, but I also offer online sessions - so wherever you are in the world, I’d be happy to work with you.

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I know that the first steps are always the hardest.

But you’re here taking them anyway, and that’s all that matters.

I look forward to hearing from you, and I can’t wait to meet you.

If you prefer to reach out directly, my email is: shannon.solieva@gmail.com