Why You Still Feel Stuck After Trauma — And How Somatic Therapy can Help

Have you ever thought, “I know what happened to me is in the past, so why do I still feel anxious, tense, or disconnected?”

Many people who seek counselling have already tried talking through their story. They may have gained insight, but their body still carries the imprint of what they went through. Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories—it often lives in the body.

As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explains in The Body Keeps the Score: “Trauma is not just an event that took place in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body.”

Why Talking Isn’t Always Enough

When we go through overwhelming events, our nervous system can get stuck in patterns of fight, flight, or freeze. Even long after the danger has passed, the body may still act as if the threat is ongoing. This can show up as:

• Feeling “on edge” or constantly scanning for danger
• Chronic tension, pain, or fatigue
• Feeling numb, disconnected, or shut down
• Trouble relaxing or feeling safe in relationships

This is why healing often needs to go beyond talk therapy.

Somatic therapy is a body-based approach that helps restore safety and regulation. It’s not about re-living the past—it’s about gently building awareness of the body in the present.

In sessions, this might look like:

• Grounding practices to help you feel safe “here and now”
• Tracking sensations to understand how stress shows up in your body
• Gentle movement or breath work to release stored tension
• Learning to notice triggers without being overwhelmed by them

By slowly reconnecting body and mind, clients often find that emotions become easier to manage, relationships feel safer, and a sense of resilience begins to return.

If you’ve been carrying trauma or stress for a long time, it can feel discouraging—but healing is possible. When the body and mind begin working together again, new freedom and peace are within reach.

If this resonates with you, I’d be honoured to walk alongside you in the healing process. Together we can explore safe, compassionate ways to move forward—so you can feel more grounded, connected, and whole.