Somatic + Parts Work Therapy Targeting Trauma
Evidence-based modalities for targeting trauma that feels stuck.
You’ve tried therapy, meditation and other types of treatments - but you can’t shake your trauma. Why is that?
If you’ve tried therapy before — maybe you’ve talked through your story, gained insight, even learned coping tools — but something still feels stuck, you’re not alone. Trauma doesn’t live only in the mind; it lives in the nervous system and in the parts of us that learned to survive.
Somatic and parts work therapy offers a different path forward: one that gently includes the body, honors your internal world, and helps you connect with what’s underneath the patterns that won’t simply “think” their way into change. Rather than pushing or reliving the past, we move slowly and safely, listening to what your system is ready for, so healing can happen from the inside out.
Here, healing isn’t about pushing through, but about coming home to yourself with safety, care, and support.
What modalities are most effective for anxiety?
As an integrative therapist, I draw from multiple disciplines to meet you where you’re at. No matter the approach we take, I believe therapy should always be trauma-informed, collaborative and consensual.
Parts Work
Internal family systems aka ‘parts work’ is an evidence-based modality that involves getting to know different aspects of ourselves. Speaking to and from these parts creates stronger inner relationships and sense of Self. All parts are welcome. Read more here.
Exploration of Memories
Looking at the past can be painful, but it can also unlock agency and insight. We’ll move through memory at your pace to understand how you became you. This may look like revisiting difficult times and exploring new outcomes.
Body-Based (Somatic) Insights
We may use mindfulness and somatic exploration to tap into the body’s sensations and memories. The body can help bring unconscious material, emotions and visualizations into session and show us a strength-based path toward healing. Read more here.
Studying Patterns
Understanding our behavior, thoughts or relationship patterns gives us information about what needs attention and healing. I use attachment theory and a relational approach to help uncover patterns.
How is somatic therapy used for trauma?
Somatic therapy is therapy that holds the fundamental belief that emotions, trauma and experiences are stored within our bodies and utilizes the body in the processing of trauma.
Somatic therapy has a few steps, leading towards increased embodiment. To treat anxiety, we need to create more trust between the body and mind.
Nervous system education. Referencing frameworks like the Window of Tolerance or the Polyvagal Ladder are helpful for us to map how your nervous system and body respond — and thus we have a starting point and can target interventions from there.
Develop Awareness. This could be as simple check ins like “how is your body doing right now?” Sometimes in session, as you’re sharing something difficult or important, you may be receiving signs of dysregulation (for example: a knot in your belly). By slowing down and paying attention to the body’s signals, we may change course. This builds somatic awareness.
Interpreting the body’s cues. When the body is signaling to you through a symptom, we may explore what is trying to be communicated. Developing a dialogue with the body in session (and out of session) is part of building trust and relationship to your body
Attuning to your body. This looks like tending to your body in real time. Once you’ve developed awareness and embodiment, you may begin really understanding what your body needs to feel safe. This is an important step in truly shifting the nervous system. That may look like, pushing your feet into the floor, giving yourself a hug, pausing for a few deep breathes — and a million other ways. We’ll slow down and give these moments time.
How is ‘Parts Work’ therapy used to treat trauma?
Parts work comes from the philosophy on Internal Family Systems (IFS). IFS is a powerful, evidence-based modality of psychotherapy. The basic concept is that we all have parts of ourselves that are in relationship to each other, like a family would be.
Each part has a different job, personality and story. You may experience this like a voice in your head. For example, a vigilant part might say “if I stay alert, I won’t be blind sided again”. Common parts folks with trauma might see are: a hyper-vigilant watcher, a people pleaser, an inner critic, a shut-down part, an overachiever — but all parts are unique to you!
Often, these parts are stuck in outdated roles that were adaptive and necessary in your past, but are no longer serving you. To address anxiety, here’s how we use IFS:
De-polarize over-active parts. If there’s a part that is taking control too often, we may work to make this part less loud. Even though these parts are causing harm, we assume their intentions are good and that they are simply using a maladaptive strategy. We bring empathy to this part then understand what it needs to take on a different role.
Improve ‘self leadership’. An important player in the internal family is the ‘Self’, which you may call your higher self, your wise self, your inner parent, or whatever phrase feels right to you. The Self is the leader of the internal family and is inherently secure, confident and calm. However, the Self can get lost amongst the noise of the other parts. Sometimes our work will be rediscovering the Self and helping it connect with your parts.
Healing wounded parts. There may be parts that are holding immense amounts of feelings - like grief, rage, fear, etc. These ‘exile’ parts need to be seen, listened to and supported to process the feelings they hold. By giving these parts space, we can relieve them of the burden they’ve been carrying which will result in a lighter version of you.
Here is a short video of Richard Schwartz discussing Internal Family Systems therapy.
What results can you expect?
Healthier coping skills
Improve the way you take care of yourself. We’ll examine and tend to your survival strategies to pave the way for transformation.
A healed nervous system
Your nervous system may be in fight, flight, freeze or fawn. Slowly, we can re-program it to achieve rest and promote healing.
An ability to slow down
With more regulation comes an ability to choose whether you want to pursue something or take it easy - you get to be in the drivers seat.
New cycles and patterns
Patterns in our behaviors, thoughts and bodies affect our day-to-day lives. Identify patterns and move past those that don’t serve you.
Self-compassion
Understanding the ‘why’ behind your anxiety can bring forward love for yourself, even if it coincides with other complex feelings.
A quieter mind
Rather than being at the whim of inner worries, ruminations and obsessions - you can find a mind with less fear and conflict.
I’m Madison. I can help.
I’m a licensed therapist (MFT #159500) in California and one of my areas of expertise is working with trauma. I see clients in-person in Oakland, CA or virtually. Learn more about me here.
Share your contact info here and I’ll reach out to you. I offer free 20-minute consultations where we can discuss what you’re looking for and I can answer any questions you have about how I work.