Somatic Psychology and Therapy
Olesya Ovchinnikova, PhD
Olesya Ovchinnikova, PhD
There are parts of us that we compressed so tightly for so long that connective tissues of our bodies have become glued together.
There are parts of us that we numbed out so much that they have become hypo-responsive, given-up.
These constrictions and collapses in our bodyminds are often unconscious, split off from the conscious experience of relationships with ourselves and the surrounding world.
Therapeutic journey can lower these removed from awareness barriers to wholeness helping us to integrate, heal and transform our fragmented Selves.
Inspirations and Influences
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Culturally Sensitive Somatic Psychology
My approach is body-oriented, it emphasizes that our being and deep patterns of behaviour are held in the body. As a therapist, I stay present with a core aspect of the mind – “the embodied and relational process that regulates the flow of energy and information”. Our ability to develop psychosomatic disorders is based on our ability to not pay attention to the sensory information coming up from our bodies, this skill is also known as dissociation.
In the approach I practice the verbal exchange between client and therapist is enhanced by experiential work with movements, bodily sensations and gentle physical contact. This non-verbal part of body-oriented approach allows to get in contact with unconscious psychological patterns that was blocked, forgotten, or never integrated.
Looking beyond somatic emotional awareness through the physical senses, I embark with my clients on a journey into the metaphorical and relational level of the unconscious psyche as it unfolds in the soma.
Therapeutic exploration of movement, sensation and breath, as these embodied experiences presenting in the moment, can bring people into deeper attunement with their "neuroception" and capacity to self- and co-regulate. Embodied presence opens connection to symbolism, thoughtforms, emotions, and unconscious energetic charge that the body holds.
My background in social sciences, including my Ph.D. studies, and my experience living in multiple countries add depth and nuance to the somatic approach I practice. Through my academic training, I have gained insights into the socio-cultural contexts that shape individuals' experiences and perceptions of their bodies. Additionally, my expatriate experience has exposed me to diverse cultural perspectives on embodiment and healing, enriching my understanding of the complexities of human experience.
I deeply recognize the profound impact of cultural beliefs, values, and practices on individuals' bodily experiences, shaping their perceptions of body image, gender roles, and more. By integrating cultural sensitivity into my approach, I create a safe and inclusive space for clients to explore their cultural identities.
Furthermore, I understand that trauma is intricately intertwined with broader socio-cultural contexts, including power dynamics and intergenerational trauma. By acknowledging these factors, I am equipped to support clients in navigating their healing journey within the broader context of their lives.
Additionally, I honor the complexity of human identity by considering intersectionality, recognizing how social identities intersect with embodied processes and psychological functioning. Through this lens, I strive to provide inclusive and equitable therapeutic practices that honor each client's unique experiences and needs.
A Whole Person Approach to Wellbeing
In my approach to well-being, I adopt a salutogenic mindset inspired by the work of Aaron Antonovsky. Salutogenesis focuses on identifying and strengthening factors that promote health, rather than solely addressing factors that cause disease. By emphasizing individual and social resources that protect and actively promote health, I integrate a variety of resource-oriented therapies into my work with clients. These therapies include meditation, breathwork, mindful movement, visualization, therapeutic touch, and psychoeducation.
Through the incorporation of these practices, I aim to empower individuals to cultivate resilience and enhance their overall well-being across multiple dimensions.
Furthermore, I draw inspiration from the theory of positive disintegration developed by Kazimierz Dąbrowski. This theory reframes symptoms of poor mental health and individual flaws as affirmative signs of personal growth and development. According to this perspective, crises, disturbances, and maladjustments are integral parts of a necessary process that allows individuals to evolve toward their "personality ideal" and become their best selves. By embracing this paradigm, I encourage clients to view challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation, fostering a mindset of resilience and self-actualization.
What unites Antonovsky's and Dąbrowski's approaches to mental health is their shared emphasis on resilience, growth, and empowerment in the face of challenges. Both theories recognize that adversity and struggles are inherent aspects of the human experience, but they view these challenges as opportunities for personal development and transformation rather than solely as sources of pathology.
Antonovsky's salutogenic approach focuses on identifying and strengthening factors that promote health and well-being, while Dąbrowski's theory of positive disintegration highlights the importance of embracing crises and disturbances as integral parts of the journey toward self-actualization.
Both perspectives encourage individuals to cultivate resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness, fostering a positive outlook on mental health and personal growth. By integrating these complementary frameworks, practitioners can provide holistic support for individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of mental and emotional well-being.
In alignment with the continuum model of well-being, I recognize the inherent human vulnerability to illness, disorder, and fragmentation, which are inherent aspects of the human experience. However, I also emphasize the importance of proactively empowering our resourcefulness and well-being to navigate these challenges effectively.
By acknowledging our vulnerabilities while actively cultivating our strengths and resilience, we can adapt and thrive in the face of life's changes and uncertainties. Through the conceptual lenses of salutogenesis and positive disintegration, I guide clients in exploring and enhancing their mental, emotional, and physical well-being, fostering holistic growth and self-fulfillment.
DBR and BSP
I'm trained in two powerful methods: Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) and Brainspotting (BSP).
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a cutting-edge approach that targets deep brain structures involved in the physiological response to trauma. By focusing on the orienting tension associated with traumatic events, DBR helps individuals ground themselves in the present moment, preventing overwhelm and dissociation during memory processing. This orienting tension often manifests in the muscles around the eyes, the back of the neck, and the forehead. These bodily responses are integral to the orienting response, which is the body's innate reaction to novel or threatening stimuli.
Brainspotting (BSP), developed by Dr. David Grand, is an integrative therapy that combines elements from Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This gentle, body-based approach utilizes specific eye positions to facilitate the processing of distressing memories. BSP has been found to be effective in addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, stress, eating disorders, addictions, and performance challenges. By tapping into the brain's natural capacity for healing, BSP offers individuals an opportunity to overcome obstacles and achieve personal growth.
Both DBR and BSP share common characteristics that make them highly effective in trauma therapy. They both utilize a bottom-up processing approach, focusing on accessing and processing traumatic memories and emotions through the body's somatic experience. This means that rather than relying solely on cognitive or verbal processing, both approaches engage with the body's physiological responses to trauma, allowing for a more holistic and integrative healing process.
Furthermore, both DBR and BSP emphasize the role of orientation through the eyes in trauma processing. In DBR, attention is directed towards the orienting tension associated with traumatic events, which often manifests in the muscles around the eyes, the back of the neck, and the forehead. Similarly, BSP utilizes specific eye positions, known as "brainspots," to facilitate the processing of distressing memories and emotions. By focusing on the eyes and their connection to the brain's neural pathways, both DBR and BSP offer individuals an opportunity to access and process traumatic experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
Depth Psychology and Neuroscience
In my practice, I find that depth psychology offers a profound lens through which to explore the unconscious mind and the intricate workings of the human psyche. While depth psychology primarily focuses on the symbolic and archetypal dimensions of human experience, it also acknowledges the role of the nervous system in mediating our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
I'm deeply fascinated by how our inner world intersects with our nervous system, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in fascinating ways. Within the realm of depth psychology, I see the unconscious mind as a vast reservoir of memories, emotions, and instincts that profoundly influence our conscious experiences.
These unconscious processes are intricately woven into the neural pathways and networks within our brain and nervous system. For example, I've observed how traumatic experiences, both individual and intergenerational, stored in the unconscious can trigger physiological responses through the autonomic nervous system, manifesting as symptoms of anxiety or arousal.
Moreover, concepts such as repression, projection, and defense mechanisms, which are central to psychodynamic theory within depth psychology, have clear neurobiological correlates. The brain's ability to regulate emotions, suppress threatening thoughts, or dissociate from painful memories involves intricate neural circuits and neurotransmitter systems.
In my practice, I've witnessed how techniques such as dream analysis, guided imagery, and somatic processing can have profound effects on the nervous system. For instance, engaging in mindfulness practices or exploring embodied symbolic imagery in therapy can modulate neural activity, promoting relaxation, emotional regulation, and a sense of well-being.
Ultimately, I believe that by integrating insights from depth psychology with our understanding of the nervous system, we can offer holistic approaches to healing and transformation that honor the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Through this integrative approach, I guide clients on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and growth, helping them cultivate resilience and embrace a greater sense of well-being in their lives.
