Unlocking Trauma with Somatic Therapy with Brian Mahan
Understanding Somatic Therapy: A Game-Changer in Healing Trauma
Trauma can leave lasting imprints on our minds and bodies, often manifesting as anxiety, stress, or chronic physical pain. But what if traditional talk therapy isn’t enough? Enter somatic therapy—a groundbreaking approach that focuses on healing trauma through the body rather than just the mind. On Heal Squad with Maria Menounos, somatic experiencing practitioner Brian Mahan shares his insights on how trauma is stored in the body and how we can begin to release it.
What Is Somatic Therapy and How Does It Work?
Unlike traditional therapy, which primarily addresses trauma through cognitive processing, somatic therapy taps into the body’s nervous system to help release stored trauma. Mahan explains that trauma isn’t just a psychological wound—it’s a physiological experience that gets imprinted in our nervous system.
“Trauma is predominantly a physiological condition, more so than a psychological disorder,” Mahan says. “Our nervous system records traumatic experiences even before we can fully process them cognitively.”
This means that even experiences from infancy—or those we don’t consciously remember—can impact our current mental and emotional health. Through somatic therapy, patients learn to tune into their bodily sensations, recognize stored trauma, and gently release it through guided exercises and techniques.
The Science Behind Trauma in the Body
Mahan sheds light on how trauma physically manifests. He describes how emotional wounds are stored in our nervous system through implicit (bodily) memory. Unlike explicit memory—where we recall events in a linear way—implicit memory retains trauma without conscious awareness.
For example, if a child experiences a stressful event before developing cognitive reasoning, their body may still react with a fight-or-flight response long into adulthood. This is why some individuals experience anxiety, panic attacks, or chronic tension without fully understanding why.
“An emotion is a collection of sensations combined with neural chemicals and behaviors,” Mahan explains. “If we don’t address trauma at the level of the body, we risk carrying those stress responses indefinitely.”
How Somatic Therapy Helped Maria Menounos
Maria shares a personal experience that illustrates the power of somatic therapy. Throughout her life, she noticed that when stress peaked—especially related to her mother’s health—she would feel a tightness in her groin area, almost like a physical block.
During her first session with Mahan, they focused on this sensation. After tracking it back to an early childhood experience of panic over her father’s health, Maria was able to work through it using somatic exercises.
“I remember being in complete shock when it disappeared,” Maria recalls. “I kept looking for it, expecting the pain to return, but it was gone.”
This relief wasn’t just temporary—when the sensation returned months later, another session with Mahan helped her release it again. This highlights how somatic therapy can address deeply embedded trauma patterns that traditional therapy may struggle to reach.
The Connection Between Trauma, Shame, and Chronic Illness
Mahan explains that trauma and shame are deeply intertwined. Shame is often an early defense mechanism—something we develop to maintain social connection and avoid rejection. However, when unresolved, shame can fuel negative self-beliefs and keep us stuck in cycles of fear and unworthiness.
“Shame is the underpinning of how we see ourselves and how we believe the world sees us,” Mahan says. “It’s also a physiological response—our bodies react with slumped posture, constricted breathing, and avoidance behaviors.”
Over time, unprocessed trauma and shame can contribute to physical ailments. Maria notes that in her experience working with patients battling serious illness, unresolved emotional trauma is often a common thread.
“When I help people with health challenges, one of the last questions I ask is, ‘What emotional component haven’t you dealt with?’ And almost every time, they say, ‘How did you know?’” Maria shares.
Practical Steps to Start Healing Trauma Today
For those looking to begin their healing journey, Mahan offers a few key techniques:
- Tune Into Your Body – Start by paying attention to physical sensations when you feel stressed or triggered. Where do you feel tension? What does it feel like?
- Practice Orienting – Use your five senses to ground yourself in the present. Look around the room, listen to surrounding sounds, and engage with your environment to signal safety to your nervous system.
- Get Curious About Your Reactions – Rather than suppressing emotions, explore them with curiosity. Ask yourself: When did I first feel this way? What memories or beliefs might be tied to this sensation?
- Work with a Skilled Practitioner – While self-awareness is key, working with a trained somatic therapist can accelerate healing, helping to gently release stored trauma in a safe and supportive environment.
The Power of Somatic Therapy in Reclaiming Your Health
Somatic therapy is transforming the way we approach trauma and emotional healing. By addressing the body’s role in holding onto past wounds, we can create long-lasting shifts that impact both mental and physical well-being.
As Maria’s journey shows, true healing often involves looking beyond traditional talk therapy and into modalities that work with the nervous system itself.
For those struggling with unresolved trauma, chronic anxiety, or persistent physical symptoms, somatic therapy could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
For more healing and wellness tips, be sure to subscribe to the Heal Squad with Maria Menounos podcast via YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
