Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Body-inclusive trauma therapy that integrates physical sensation, emotion, and cognition, more specific than general somatic therapy, developed by Pat Ogden.
Sensorimotor psychotherapy, developed by Pat Ogden, is a specific approach to trauma treatment that integrates the body, emotion, and cognition, distinct from the broader "somatic therapy" or "somatic experiencing" listings on this site, though all share a body-inclusive foundation. It draws on attachment theory and neuroscience alongside body-based technique, tracking physical sensation and impulse (a tightening jaw, an urge to pull away) as meaningful information, not just talking about the past. Practitioners are trained and certified specifically through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, so it's a more specific credential than "somatic" work in general.
A specific, trained lineage of body-based trauma therapy that works with sensation, movement, and cognition together.
What to expect: Sessions combine conversation with attention to what's happening physically as you talk, posture, breath, small movements or impulses. Your therapist may ask you to slow down and notice a sensation, or gently experiment with a different physical response than your habitual one. Pacing is deliberately careful to avoid overwhelm, and talking about the trauma narrative in detail is not required for the work to be effective.
Good fit for: You notice trauma or stress responses showing up physically, You want a body-based approach delivered by someone with specific, certified training, You're comfortable with a slower, carefully paced process
Explore for: Trauma or stress responses that show up strongly in the body, Wanting a body-inclusive approach with a specific, named training lineage, Difficulty feeling grounded or present in your physical body, An interest in how attachment patterns show up physically, not just emotionally
Not the right fit if: You want a purely verbal, talk-only therapy, You're looking for a fast, structured, protocol-based trauma treatment
How to choose a practitioner: Confirm certification through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute specifically Ask how this differs, in their practice, from general somatic therapy or somatic experiencing Clarify pacing and how they handle moments that feel overwhelming
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