Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the body and mind. Unlike talk-based approaches such as CBT—which research has shown to often be less effective for autistic individuals, somatic work provides a more embodied way of healing and self-discovery. For neurodivergent folks, who frequently struggle with challenges such as poor interoception (the ability to sense what is happening inside the body), somatic practices can be especially transformative.

Through guided practices that increase awareness of bodily sensations, movements, and nervous system states, somatic therapy helps clients improve their connection to their physical experience. This can support:

• Improved interoception: developing awareness of hunger, discomfort, tension, fatigue, or emotions as they show up in the body.
• Reduced dissociation: by gently bringing awareness back into the body, somatic work helps decrease tendencies to “disconnect” from oneself during stress.
• Presence and grounding: learning to inhabit the body more fully allows for deeper self-regulation and being more present in everyday life.
• Alternative to overthinking: rather than relying on logic and mental strategies alone, somatic therapy empowers clients with embodied tools that can bypass cycles of rumination or overwhelm.

For neurodivergent individuals, especially those living with autism, ADHD, or complex PTSD—somatic therapy can be a supportive way of learning to feel safe in one’s own body, build resilience, and find new pathways toward balance and wellbeing.