The Somatic Therapy Center

Year Founded: 2016

Model of Therapy: Transformative Touch

Available training types: 3 levels of Certification Training. Each level involves a combination of webinars, at-home study, and in-person hands-on training segments.

Transformative Touch, a body-focused therapy deeply rooted in the somatic traditions, embraces the principles of soul psychology and the discoveries of neuroscience. 
In Transformative Touch, we use a combination of gentle touch and intuitive dialogue to guide people seeking therapy in creating new and awakened relationships with their body. The body is where emotions live, thoughts occur, the soul dwells, and wisdom abides. Therefore, it is truly a reliable resource, ally, and guide. Through connecting and listening to the messages carried in the body, people receiving treatment are guided to release old patterns and make choices that support moving with more ease and freedom in their lives. 

Through touch, we have direct access to the nervous system and can encourage people to understand how their safety system works and how to soothe and self-regulate. Touch lends more access to “felt sense” awareness, taps emotions stored in the body, repairs attachment wounding, and connects individuals to the sacred and immutable wholeness within that is the Source of all healing.

TRAINING PROGRAM:
Our curriculum allows participants to learn from home with webinars while also learning in the community through hands-on training modules. The training is highly experiential and involves a variety of teaching methods designed to encompass a variety of learning styles.

Level One: This module focuses on developing the skills of accessing and working with body sensation. By learning to listen to the body, and by being attentive and aware of sensation, practitioners can help individuals discover all the wisdom the body has to offer. We engage the somatic expression of emotions, thoughts, and soul. Particular emphasis is placed on the safety system of the person seeking treatment and the clinical application of the Polyvagal theory of Stephen Porges. This is the level of “Essence,” as it forms the ground for all the levels that follow.  

Level Two: In this level, the focus expands out from the soma into the direct expression of the emotional field. Participants will learn how to help people in treatment become emotionally competent and recognize emotions as a personal navigation tool. 

Level Three: The focus in this level is learning how relational injuries impact the soma and psyche. Core beliefs and family of origin dynamics may play a role in this process, and students will learn how attachment patterns may be identified and repaired through the connective experience of compassionate touch.   

 All levels of training are 8 months long and include:

• 15 live or online webinars held biweekly, with each including complimentary readings, videos, and exercises
• Two 6-day, hands-on training events, plus a 3-day onsite training event 
• Approximately 25 to 35 practice client hours with local volunteers and faculty mentoring 
• Convenient online access to all materials and sample forms