Core Principles of Somatic Psychotherapy

Somatic Psychology is the study of the interactions among brain, mind, body, and behavior and how these relationships directly impact psychological and physical health. As a somatic therapist, I help my clients to develop body awareness skills through the gentle guidance of tracking sensations, emotions, breath, and movement impulses in the present moment. This practice cultivates embodied self-awareness and interoception which allows a person to feel connected to oneself in a meaningful way.

Core Principles of Relational Psychotherapy

Relational psychotherapy is founded on the concept of relationships with others being an essential aspect of emotional well-being. Individuals who find it difficult to maintain supportive and healthy relationships may experience a sense of disconnection in addition to feelings of diminished self-worth and general distress, and their sense of emotional well-being may negatively affected. 

The practice of relational psychotherapy adheres to the following principles: 

• It is important for a person to maintain fulfilling and satisfying relationships with those around them in order to maintain emotional health.

• Stress and emotional upheaval are often the result of past relational experiences, and these concerns may inhibit the present self from full expression.

• The therapist administering relational psychotherapy provides an atmosphere of empathy and attentiveness in order to elicit full disclosure of the experiences and events affecting the person seeking treatment, as well as the effects they have had both relationally and socially.

• The therapist and the person in therapy work together to forge a strong, collaborative, and secure relationship that can serve as a model for future relationships the person wishes to develop. Other relationships can be measured against this supportive one to determine if they are constructive or destructive.

How Does Relational Psychotherapy Work?

In general, relational psychotherapy sessions emphasize the development of relational awareness. To achieve this, the therapist and the person in therapy must typically gain an understanding of the individual's strategies for disconnection. or the styles of interpersonal interaction that are used to push others away. Once they are identified, the therapist and individual can explore the potential reasons behind the use of these strategies. Transformation begins to occur when the therapist and individual build new relational images using the therapist-person in therapy relationship as a model for a secure and healthy relationship.

The primary goal of relational psychotherapy is to help those seeking help better understand how they operate in relation to others and how their relating patters can have an impact on mental and emotional well-being. Therapists can also help individuals better understand and take into consideration the effects of differences in power or equality as well as the impact of social issues such as class, race, gender, and culture.