The Power of Somatic Therapy with Brian Mahan
Understanding Trauma Through the Body
Trauma is more than just an emotional wound—it manifests in the body in ways we often don’t recognize. On a recent episode of Heal Squad with Maria Menounos, somatic therapist Brian Mahan shed light on how our nervous system stores trauma and how somatic therapy can help us release it.
Mahan, who specializes in somatic experiencing, explained that trauma isn’t just about what happens to us; it’s about how our body processes and retains that experience. If left unresolved, trauma can manifest in chronic stress, anxiety, and even physical ailments.
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic experiencing (SE) is a body-based approach to trauma healing developed by Dr. Peter Levine. It focuses on regulating the nervous system rather than reliving traumatic memories. According to Mahan, this approach allows individuals to complete their body’s natural response to trauma—something that often gets suppressed due to societal conditioning or immediate survival needs.
“The body wants to resolve trauma naturally,” Mahan shared. “But when we shut down those responses, the energy gets trapped, leading to anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.”
How Trauma Lives in the Nervous System
Mahan described how trauma disrupts the autonomic nervous system, which regulates our fight-or-flight response. When trauma isn’t properly processed, it can leave us in a constant state of hypervigilance or shut down entirely, leading to dissociation.
Signs that trauma is stuck in the nervous system include:
- Chronic tension or tightness in the body
- Difficulty relaxing, even in safe environments
- Feeling stuck in patterns of fear or avoidance
- Unexplained physical symptoms like migraines, digestive issues, or fatigue
The Role of Somatic Therapy in Healing
Traditional talk therapy often focuses on processing events cognitively, but somatic therapy works through the body. Mahan emphasized that the body must be included in the healing process to fully release trauma.
Here’s how somatic therapy can help:
- Regulates the Nervous System – SE helps shift from a state of survival to a state of balance and ease.
- Increases Body Awareness – Clients learn to track physical sensations to understand how trauma is stored in their body.
- Releases Suppressed Energy – Through guided exercises, clients complete their body’s natural response cycles, reducing anxiety and stress.
- Restores a Sense of Safety – By working gently with bodily responses, individuals regain trust in their own bodies and emotional resilience.
How Somatic Therapy Differs from Traditional Therapy
While cognitive therapies focus on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy prioritizes bodily sensations. Mahan explained that trauma healing doesn’t require a person to relive traumatic experiences but instead to gently release stored tension and unfinished responses.
“You don’t have to talk about what happened over and over again,” Mahan said. “You just need to help your body process what it couldn’t at the time.”
Key Takeaways from Brian Mahan’s Interview
- Trauma is stored in the nervous system, not just the mind.
- Healing requires completing the body’s natural response cycle.
- Somatic therapy helps release suppressed trauma energy without re-traumatization.
- Regulating the nervous system is key to long-term healing and emotional balance.
Incorporating Somatic Practices Into Daily Life
Mahan encourages individuals to start incorporating small somatic practices into their daily routines to support nervous system regulation. Some simple techniques include:
- Grounding Exercises – Placing your feet firmly on the ground and focusing on bodily sensations.
- Body Scanning – Taking a few moments to notice areas of tension and bringing gentle awareness to them.
- Deep Breathing – Engaging in slow, intentional breaths to calm the nervous system.
- Shaking Therapy – Lightly shaking the body (similar to how animals shake off stress) to discharge excess energy.
Final Thoughts
Brian Mahan’s approach to trauma healing through somatic therapy offers a powerful, body-centered alternative to traditional talk therapy. By focusing on the nervous system’s natural ability to heal, individuals can experience deep and lasting relief from anxiety, stress, and unresolved trauma.
To hear more about Brian Mahan’s insights on somatic healing, check out the full interview on Heal Squad with Maria Menounos.
For more healing and wellness tips, be sure to subscribe to the Heal Squad with Maria Menounos podcast via YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
