What is physical psychotherapy? – Do you need it?
You may not have heard of body psychotherapy before, but trust me, after reading the following lines, you will wish you had. Not only is it an important and highly revealing method in psychotherapy, but it is also perhaps more important than the usual approaches. The term and method were first established by Wilhelm Reich, Sigmund Freud’s leading collaborator, in 1935! In fact, it is also recognized by the EAP (European Association for Psychotherapy).
Its function is simple, as its name suggests. The body participates fully alongside the mind in the sessions. In fact, the body is the key to the sessions, as it is often considered responsible, from a person’s deep past, for their mental and physical actions.
The body is the tool for embodying our emotions, our thoughts, our mental and psychological actions. And it has memory. It is well known that various mental and cognitive disorders are embodied. A classic example is anxiety, which often causes physical weakness. And even after some time, since “the body remembers.” Through physical psychotherapy, all the events, traumas, and experiences of the patient are recalled. This method can also be effective in cases of post-traumatic stress.
How do we work in physical psychotherapy?
Initially, the method focuses on events, behaviors, and emotions that we felt and expressed primarily in the past, but which we also experience in the present and in the here and now. The psychotherapist analyzes the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions of the patient based on their posture and body movements during the session. They bring back to the past this posture, this behavior in response to an event, that moment. They try to explain it, analyze it, and then connect it to the present.
Why did the patient express it again, what does it mean, what were the causes? We are beings with a continuous presence and, although we do not realize it, we exhibit “symptoms” which, if not identified at the point of origin, connected to the present and analyzed, will not be treated. And because physical psychotherapy is integrated with the connection between mind and body, this makes it effective and important even in cases where you may feel that you cannot be helped by other psychotherapeutic approaches that work only mentally.
How does physical psychotherapy work for us?
Physical psychotherapy uses various techniques to help patients connect with their emotions. These include:
Breathing: Deep breathing helps relax the body and mind.
Movement exercises: These activate the body’s vitality and memory (implicit memory).
Awareness: Mindfulness allows physical sensations to be observed without judgment.
Analysis: The analysis of the content of the patient’s narrative is interpreted through a psychodynamic approach, helping to understand the unconscious.
Neurotrophic regulation: Slowing down and activating attention to emotional reactions for the purpose of emotional regulation and awareness of biological reactions, aiming to connect with the body and the self.
These practices contribute to the recognition and processing of repressed emotions, facilitating healing.
Who can benefit from this method of psychotherapy?
Physical psychotherapy is aimed at individuals who:
Feel that verbal therapy alone does not help them.
Have difficulty expressing their feelings.
Suffer from physical symptoms related to mental states (e.g., anxiety, depression, disconnection) or psychosomatic conditions.
Specific conditions
Depression: Helps release repressed emotions.
Anxiety: Physical work reduces anxiety through relaxation.
Traumatic experiences: Supports the processing of traumatic events, developmental trauma, dissociative disorders, and complex post-traumatic stress.
Benefits of physical psychotherapy
Physical psychotherapy offers many benefits, such as:
Increased self-awareness: It helps patients better understand themselves.
Improved emotional regulation: Teaches how to manage difficult emotions, experience them, allowing for emotional integration.
Physical well-being: Enhances body awareness through movement and breathing.
What are the key elements of physical psychotherapy that make it different from other therapeutic methods?
Body psychotherapy is a unique approach that differs from other therapeutic methods by focusing on the interaction between body and soul. Here are the key elements that make it special:
Holistic approach
Body psychotherapy views the human being as a whole, where physical, emotional, and mental functions constantly interact. This holistic approach allows therapists to examine the roots of problems in depth, recognizing that physical expressions often reveal hidden emotions and traumas.
Significance of the body
Body psychotherapy recognizes that the body is a key tool for expressing emotions. Therapists observe body language, postures, and movements to better understand the patient’s mental state. This focus on the body allows access to experiences that may not have been expressed verbally.
Activating physical memory
One of the main advantages of body psychotherapy is its ability to work with “body memory.” This concept involves the storage of emotions and experiences in the body, allowing patients to process and release old traumatic memories through physical exercises and techniques.
Combination of psychotherapy techniques
Body psychotherapy uses a variety of techniques, such as breathing, movement, and grounding, to facilitate the connection between mind and body. These techniques enhance the vitality of the body and promote emotional release.
Focus on emotional regulation
This approach emphasizes the individual’s ability to recognize and regulate their emotions. Through physical psychotherapy, patients learn how to manage stress, depression, emotional overexcitement, and other emotional difficulties in natural ways.
Who benefits? – Physical psychotherapy is particularly useful for people who:
They find it difficult to manage, experience, and express their emotions in words.
They have physical symptoms related to mental states.
They seek a more experiential approach to their personal development.
Overall, body psychotherapy offers a different perspective on mental health, focusing on the synthesis of body and soul to achieve well-being.
How physical psychotherapy can help people who have suffered traumatic experiences
Body psychotherapy offers a unique and effective approach for individuals who have experienced trauma. Here are some of the key ways this therapeutic method can help:
Interaction between body and soul
Body psychotherapy recognizes that traumatic experiences are often stored in the body. Through bodywork, therapists help patients recognize and release the emotions associated with these experiences. This process allows for the processing of emotions that may have remained “blocked.”
Awareness of bodily sensations
Body psychotherapy enhances awareness of bodily sensations and bodily reactions. Therapists encourage patients to observe where they feel tension or discomfort, connecting these bodily sensations with their emotions and experiences. This process helps them understand how the body reflects mental states.
Relaxation and breathing
Through relaxation techniques and focusing on breathing, patients can reduce the stress and tension that come from traumatic experiences. Proper breathing contributes to improving mental state and overall well-being.
Creating a safe space
Body psychotherapy offers a safe environment where patients can explore their traumatic experiences without fear of criticism. This supportive atmosphere is crucial for processing traumatic events and developing trust in the therapist.
Reconnecting with the body
Through body psychotherapy, patients have the opportunity to reconnect with their bodies, which has often been neglected due to trauma. This reconnection can lead to greater self-awareness and a healthier relationship with oneself.
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What are the advantages of physical psychotherapy over “classical” psychotherapy?
Body psychotherapy offers several advantages over traditional psychotherapy, focusing on the synthesis of body and soul. Here are the main advantages that make it unique:
1. Focus on the body
Body psychotherapy emphasizes the interaction between body and soul. Instead of focusing exclusively on verbal communication, this approach recognizes that the body stores emotions and experiences, offering a more comprehensive understanding of human existence.
2. Access to bodily memory
Through body psychotherapy, patients have the opportunity to explore their bodily memory, which includes recorded emotions and experiences from the past. This access can be particularly useful for people who have experienced trauma, as it allows them to process unexpressed emotions.
3. Relaxation and stress reduction
The relaxation techniques used in body psychotherapy help reduce stress and tension (including mindfulness exercises). Through proper breathing and physical movement, patients can regain their vitality and improve their mental state.
4. Creating a safe space
Physical psychotherapy provides a safe environment where patients can express their feelings without fear of criticism. This supportive atmosphere is crucial for processing traumatic events and developing trust in the therapist, as it is a relational therapy.
5. Holistic approach
Body psychotherapy views the human being as a set of mental, emotional, and physical functions in constant interaction.This holistic approach allows therapists to identify the root causes of problems in depth, promoting the overall well-being of the individual.
6. Enhancing self-awareness
Through physical work, patients gain greater self-awareness and understanding of their emotions. This process enhances the individual’s ability to recognize their needs and express their emotions in a healthier way.
Overall, what is body psychotherapy?
Really, have you decided? We have, and we’ll put it simply. It is a holistic and complementary treatment method that can be particularly beneficial for people who want to explore the connection between body and soul, promoting their deep-rooted well-being.
