What is the strength of body-oriented therapy?

In the scientific community, the body-oriented approach began to gain attention in the early 20th century: Wilhelm Reich, a student of Sigmund Freud, studied the connection between muscular tension and emotions. In the 1950s, his ideas were further developed by Alexander Lowen, who believed that the body is the key to understanding and overcoming psychological problems.

Today, there are several methods within the body-oriented approach. The most well-known among them are: Bodynamics, Biodynamics, and Somatic Experiencing.

For us, it’s important that body-oriented therapy can be an effective tool for working with traumatic experiences. Here’s how this approach works:

1. Through awareness of physical sensations.

This can be tension, discomfort, trembling, or other physical symptoms. Awareness helps the client begin the process of acceptance and release.

2. Through working with breathing and movement.

This helps reduce tension associated with trauma and restore connection with one’s own body.

3. Through bodily expression of emotions — exercises, dance, voice, or other forms. Movement helps release emotional traces of trauma.

4. Through working with boundaries.

Special exercises help restore the sense of healthy internal and external boundaries disrupted by traumatic experiences.

5. Through integration of bodily sensations and thoughts.

Connecting experiences with physical sensations, thoughts, impulses to action, fantasies, and emotions helps restore wholeness, balance, and the ability to be ‘here and now.’

FENIKS therapists specialize in the body-oriented approach and can help integrate traumatic experiences and support a person on the path to healing.