Somatic Psychology Vs. Counseling Psychology

Somatic and counseling psychology both work toward the same goal--to reach the emotional, psychological and physical well-being of the client. However, they use different means to reach this end. Somatic psychology works through the body; counseling works through the mind.

Training

• Counseling and somatic psychologists go through a similar process of education working toward their master of arts, interning and obtaining their licenses.

Specialization

• Somatic psychology falls under the larger umbrella of counseling psychology. It is therefore a specialization within the same field, and not at all a separate entity.

Approach

• Working with the breath, movement, gesture, posture and even expression through dance are all approaches that somatic psychologists use that are atypical of other counseling psychologists.

Client Needs

• Clients who cope with issues involving the body and being connected to the body benefit greatly from somatic therapy. Examples of this include patients with chronic pain, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and identity problems.

Areas of Practice

• As a relatively new and evolving field of practice, it is much harder to find a place to study somatic psychology or to find a practitioner in your area.