Somatic Trauma Therapy

First, let’s step aside from the therapy jargon and define trauma. Trauma is the experience (or repeated experiences) that happens when our ability to cope is overwhelmed or exhausted, leading to feeling powerless, trapped, unsafe or alone. In traumatic situations, we find ourselves forced to cope with the immediate threat, loss ,or emotional pain through our body’s automatic default survival skills: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Trauma doesn’t only happen to us- it happens inside us (in body) and between us (relationally) and changes the way we see ourselves, other people and the world around us.

The way our body survives trauma isn’t your conscious choice- it happens automatically. Unfortunately, if the body’s natural process is interrupted, then emotions and trauma get stuck in the body and we continue to feel like the trauma is happening again and again rather than something that happened in the past. This is what people refer to as a trigger and can come in the form of flashbacks, feeling jumpy and on edge, vivid memories, moments of emotions and crying, or constant rumination and revisiting the past.

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Somatic Trauma Therapy

Trauma can affect how we see ourselves, relate to others, and experience the world around us. It can stem from a single overwhelming event, ongoing stress, childhood experiences, or relationships where we didn’t feel safe, supported, or understood. Sometimes, the effects of trauma show up as anxiety, feeling constantly on edge, emotional numbness, difficulty trusting others, or feeling disconnected from ourselves. Trauma therapy offers a space to understand these experiences, process what has happened, and begin to feel safer and more connected in your life.

At Nomii Therapy & Wellness, we take a trauma-informed, relational approach such as somatic trauma therapy, EMDR, the Flash Technique, that recognizes how past experiences can shape both our emotional and physical responses. We understand that healing is not about forcing yourself to revisit painful memories or simply moving on. It is about building a sense of safety, developing a deeper understanding of your patterns, and finding new ways to respond to the things that feel overwhelming or difficult.

Somatic trauma therapy is a body-based approach that explores how trauma and stress can affect the way we experience our bodies, emotions, and relationships. Rather than focusing only on thoughts or talking through past experiences, somatic therapy helps you notice physical responses such as tension, shallow breathing, feeling frozen, or a racing heart. By building awareness of these responses, you can begin to recognize patterns, develop tools for regulating your nervous system, and feel more grounded and connected to yourself.

In sessions, we work at a pace that feels comfortable for you. This may involve talking about your experiences, noticing sensations in your body, practising grounding techniques, or exploring gentle movement and breathing exercises. You will never be expected to share more than you feel ready to, and you remain in control of the process. Over time, therapy can help you build a greater sense of safety, strengthen your ability to navigate difficult emotions, and create more space for connection, choice, and ease in your everyday life.

Nomii Therapy & Wellness provides somatic trauma therapy both in-person in North Vancouver and virtually across British Columbia, helping clients process trauma stored in the body, ease nervous system dysregulation, nightmares, flashbacks, chronic tension, and the physical patterns that talk therapy alone doesn't always reach.

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