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Somatic therapy is a therapeutic approach that may not be as familiar as other methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). This type of therapy emphasizes the connection between the mind and body, often incorporating physical treatments alongside traditional psychotherapy. Continue reading to find out how to develop a Somatic Therapy Treatment Plan for your clients, including a practical example.
This therapy can effectively address a range of issues such as trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, chronic pain, digestive issues, and sexual dysfunction. Somatic therapists often use mindfulness techniques to help clients become more aware of their bodies as they process traumatic memories and experiences.
Clients can learn to manage their emotions better through somatic therapy, moving away from instinctive reactions like fight, freeze, or flight. This therapy assists clients in releasing tension, anger, frustration, and other difficult emotions associated with past traumas or challenges.
Through this process, clients can cultivate a sense of calm in their bodies, thoughts, and breath, enabling them to acknowledge and experience emotions and thoughts as they come up during the day.
Explore all of our Somatic Therapy Worksheets
Establishing Goals and Objectives in a Somatic Therapy Treatment Plan
When creating your somatic treatment plan, it’s crucial to consider your client’s current symptoms, resources, and strengths. Goals and interventions in the treatment plan should be realistic and achievable. Setting unattainable goals can lead to frustration and complicate the counseling process.
Integrating worksheets into your sessions can enhance your client’s experience. TherapyByPro offers a wealth of worksheets tailored to various mental health challenges using different therapeutic methods.
Examples of somatic worksheets that could enrich your therapy sessions include:
Components of a Somatic Therapy Treatment Plan
The remainder of this article will focus on crafting a treatment plan that utilizes somatic therapy. We will reference a customizable treatment plan template throughout. Read on for the background of our client, Jane.
Jane’s Background:
Jane is a 34-year-old teacher grappling with mental health issues following a serious car accident a few years ago. She currently experiences flashbacks, hypervigilance, and ongoing muscle tension. Since the accident, she has faced sleep disturbances and heightened anxiety. Jane expressed a desire to learn coping strategies for her mental health challenges and reduce physical tension.
Prior to the accident, Jane reported no history of mental health issues and has never undergone mental health treatment. Although recommended post-accident, she chose not to pursue therapy, thinking her symptoms were not severe enough. She feels frustrated about the ongoing difficulties she’s experiencing and avoids the site of the accident. Her struggle is the main reason she seeks help now.
Agencies and Care Coordination
Currently, Jane is managing her care independently and is not collaborating with other treatment providers. Should her situation change, this section of your treatment plan can be amended.
Example for Jane:
Care Coordination: None at this moment
Clinical Diagnoses
In this section, outline the clinical diagnosis relevant to your case. Jane’s situation shows she is dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), characterized by trauma exposure, flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance behaviors, anxiety, and sleep issues.
Example for Jane:
Clinical Diagnosis: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, chronic symptoms F43.12
Current Medications and Reactions
Jane reports that she is not currently taking any medications; this section can be updated if her medication status changes.
Example for Jane:
Current Medications: None at present
Presenting Problem and Associated Symptoms
This part allows you to include a conceptual understanding of the case. It provides context for using somatic therapy while emphasizing significant symptoms or challenges that will be addressed in the treatment plan.
Example for Jane:
Jane is a 34-year-old school teacher who has been facing mental health struggles since a serious car accident years ago. Her key symptoms are flashbacks, hypervigilance, chronic muscle tension, increased anxiety, and sleep difficulties. She mentioned that her anxiety is triggered by the accident site, which she actively avoids.
In her intake paperwork, she expressed a desire to improve her daily function, lessen psychological distress, and relieve physical tension. She has no prior history of mental health treatment and opted out of therapy after the accident. Ongoing challenges since the accident were highlighted as the main reason for her seeking assistance now.
Jane has no record of other mental health issues, including any suicidal or self-harming concerns. She has not used medications for mental health issues in the past.
Goals and Objectives
Your treatment plan’s goals and objectives should respond directly to the identified symptoms and challenges outlined in your presenting problem section. They should be practical and achievable given the client’s current state, support, and available resources.
Example for Jane:
Goal 1: Enhance Body Awareness and Alleviate Physical Tension
- Objective 1: Apply progressive muscle relaxation techniques at least twice a week
- Objective 2: Implement guided body scans to identify areas of tension, aiming for three consecutive sessions
- Objective 3: Practice grounding techniques to alleviate tension in identified areas and promote relaxation throughout the body
Goal 2: Reduce the Frequency and Intensity of Flashbacks
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- Objective 1: Implement somatic grounding methods during moments of flashbacks to manage emotional turmoil
- Objective 2: Utilize thought somatic tracking to delve into and work through traumatic experiences in therapy sessions
- Objective 3: Create a personalized somatic toolkit that consists of at least 5 methods or techniques to break the cycle of flashbacks
Goal 3: Enhance Emotion Regulation
- Objective 1: Utilize Heart Rate Variability (HRV) biofeedback once weekly during therapy to help manage the nervous system
- Objective 2: Engage in co-regulation techniques during sessions to foster nervous system resilience
- Objective 3: Establish a daily mindfulness practice that promotes inner peace
Specific Interventions to Be Implemented
This section outlines the specific interventions mentioned in the treatment plan goals, along with other potential options that could assist Jane in achieving her objectives. For better organization and accountability, identify who is responsible for each intervention.
Example for Jane:
Intervention 1:
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Responsible party: Counselor A and Jane
Intervention 2:
Somatic Grounding Techniques
Responsible party: Counselor A and Jane
Intervention 3:
Somatic Tracking
Responsible party: Counselor A and Jane
Intervention 4:
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback
Responsible party: Counselor A and Jane
Intervention 5:
Daily Mindfulness and Somatic Practices
Responsible party: Jane
Family Participation
Currently, it does not seem necessary to involve family members in her treatment. This decision can be revisited in the future if needed.
Example for Jane:
Family Participation: None at this time
Additional Services and Support
Considering the duration of her symptoms, Jane may benefit from a psychiatric evaluation. This can address any other mental health concerns and explore possible medication options for symptom management.
Example for Jane:
Additional Services: Assessment with Dr. Smith at (123) 456-7890
Estimated Completion Timeline
The time frame for somatic therapy can vary significantly based on individual differences among clients. Given the details provided, it appears Jane could achieve noteworthy clinical progress in approximately 8 to 12 sessions. Adjustments to this timeline can be made as needed.
Example for Jane:
Expected Duration: 12 weeks of weekly individual sessions
Aftercare Recommendations
The aftercare segment of the treatment plan should include suggestions for Jane if she were to conclude her treatment today. As she would be in the early stages of treatment, recommendations will center on seeking ongoing support in her community. This section can be updated as time goes on to reflect accurate suggestions.
Example for (name):
Aftercare Suggestions: Schedule an appointment with the primary care physician to discuss mental health treatment options and get a referral for a psychiatric evaluation.
Concluding Thoughts on Developing a Somatic Therapy Treatment Plan
Thank you for taking the time to discuss somatic treatment plans with us! Somatic therapy offers a valuable approach to trauma recovery. Clients can learn to release physical tension, facilitating their healing journey forward. Furthermore, consistent self-soothing practices can help alleviate distressing symptoms such as flashbacks, hyperarousal, and dissociation.
Somatic therapy fosters resilience and complements traditional talk therapies effectively. If you are interested in deepening your understanding of somatic therapy and its application in clinical settings, we encourage you to seek out continuing education credits and additional training opportunities in your area of expertise.
TherapyByPro is an online directory for mental health resources that connects mental health professionals with clients in need. If you are a mental health provider, you can join our network and add your practice listing here. We offer assessments, practice forms, and worksheet templates designed to help mental health providers streamline their services. Explore all of our mental health worksheets here.
Discover all of our Somatic Therapy Worksheets
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