The History of Somatics: The Pioneers
I'm so excited to dive into the history of somatics with you. We will be exploring the many expressions of somatic work. First, somatic psychotherapy is one realm of the field of somatics. Somatic means relating to the body as distinct from the mind. In somatic psychotherapy, the body is used as the starting point for healing.
The United States Association of Body Psychotherapy states that:
"This type of therapeutic work is not just purely about the mind, or our thoughts, or our feelings, or our behaviors, or about ‘labels’, ‘diagnoses’, or ‘pathologies’, but it is about something that is deeply rooted and felt within us, in our bodies, in our feelings, and also (sometimes) in our spirits. Unlike traditional ‘talk therapy’ or ‘cognitive therapy’ or other ‘ labeled’ psychotherapies, Somatic Psychology (or Body Psychotherapy) tends to be much more experiential and existential and attempts to work much more at an authentic or ‘felt’ level, working with the person and their ‘felt sense’ of Self."
While there are many pioneers to the field of somatics, I'm going to focus on 7 individuals who played a major role in the development of somatic psychotherapy in which other prominent therapists that you have come to know today have based their work on.
Wilhelm Reich
Our story begins in the early 20th century with a brilliant Austrian psychiatrist and psychoanalyst named Wilhelm Reich. Reich has been called the founder of somatic psychology. Born in 1897, Reich developed a deep interest in psychoanalysis and the works of Sigmund Freud, who had a significant influence on his early career.
Reich became one of Freud's most promising students and eventually joined the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society. However, as he delved deeper into the field, Reich began to question certain aspects of Freud's theories, particularly related to the role of the body in psychological disorders.
In the 1920s, Reich started to develop his own unique approach, which he called "character analysis." This was also the title of one of his books published in 1933. He believed that psychological issues were not only rooted in the mind but also manifested in the body and that our impulses are innately good. Reich proposed that tensions and emotions were stored in muscular patterns and held within the body's tissues. He also called this Armoring. Since birth, you've assessed your environment and observed your parents, siblings, friends, and teachers. Your body learned to adapt to keep you safe. Your habitual demeanor, stance and attitude character become like a suit of armor you wear to protect yourself. He believed that by accessing and releasing these bodily tensions through physical techniques, such as deep breathing, expressive movement, and bodywork, individuals could experience profound emotional and psychological healing.
Reich's work with patients and his exploration of the body's energetic processes led him to formulate the concept of "orgone energy." Orgone energy is a universal life force that flows within and around us, similar to what has been referred to as chi or prana in other traditions, influencing our physical and emotional well-being. He believed that disruptions in the flow of orgone energy could lead to various psychological and physical ailments. Reich developed a range of therapeutic techniques aimed at releasing blocked energy and restoring the natural flow of orgone energy. One such technique was called "vegetotherapy," which involved deep breathing exercises, physical movements, and focused attention on bodily sensations. By engaging the body in therapy, Reich believed that unresolved emotional conflicts could be discharged, leading to overall greater well-being.
Reich also invented the "orgone accumulator," a device designed to harness and accumulate orgone energy. It consisted of a wooden box lined with metal and organic materials, which individuals would sit inside. Reich claimed that spending time in the accumulator could improve overall health by increasing the orgone energy in the body.
While Reich's ideas were met with intrigue by some, they were also met with skepticism and criticism from the scientific community. His claims about orgone energy and the efficacy of the orgone accumulator were deemed unscientific and lacking empirical evidence. Reich was eventually kicked out from the International Psychoanalytic Association and experienced a series of conflicts with the medical and scientific establishment. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration obtained an injunction against Reich's work, leading to his imprisonment and the destruction of his research materials.
Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Reich's legacy in somatic psychotherapy lives on. His emphasis on the mind-body connection, the importance of the body's wisdom in the healing process, and addressing emotional experiences through the body paved the way for future developments in body-oriented therapies, such as bioenergetics and sensorimotor psychotherapy. For anyone who lives around Rangeley Maine, there is a Wilhelm Reich Museum if you'd like to learn more about his life and work.
Pierre Janet
When discussing the evolution of psychotherapy, I had to include Pierre Janet who was born in 1859 and was a French psychologist and philosopher who made significant contributions to the field of psychology, particularly in the realm of psychopathology and psychotherapy. He is considered one of the founding fathers of modern psychology.
Janet's work focused on understanding and treating psychological disorders, especially those related to trauma and dissociation. He was particularly interested in studying the effects of traumatic experiences on an individual's mental health and how those experiences manifested in their behavior and consciousness.
One of Janet's key concepts was that of "dissociation," something that has become a mainstream concept and topic of conversation when anyone is talking about trauma and its effects on the body. Janet was the first to study dissociation and show that traumatic memories may be expressed as sensory perceptions, affect states, and behavioral reenactments. He observed that individuals who had experienced trauma often developed a division or separation within their consciousness. This dissociation resulted in symptoms such as amnesia, depersonalization, and a sense of detachment from reality. Janet would go on to develop a comprehensive theory of dissociation. He believed that traumatic memories could become dissociated from an individual's conscious awareness, leading to the creation of separate psychological states or subpersonalities.
Janet's approach to therapy was focused on understanding and integrating these dissociated parts of the self. He believed that by accessing and exploring the traumatic memories associated with these subpersonalities, individuals could achieve healing and reintegrate their fragmented sense of self. Already you might be hearing similarities to some of the popular somatic approaches that are out there today like Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems.
Janet employed various therapeutic techniques to facilitate this process, including hypnosis, dream analysis, and what he called "psychological analysis." His approach was compassionate and empathetic, providing a safe and supportive environment for his patients to explore their inner worlds. Janet is an important pioneer in the creation of somatic psychotherapy as he recognized the importance of the body in psychological disorders and the mind-body connection. He understood that trauma and dissociation could manifest not only in the mind but also in physical symptoms and sensations.
Janet's work laid the foundation for future developments in psychotherapy, particularly in the areas of trauma-focused therapy and the understanding of dissociative disorders. His insights into the profound impact of traumatic experiences on the human psyche continue to shape the way we approach and treat psychological trauma today. Although Pierre Janet's work was groundbreaking during his time, his ideas were sometimes overshadowed by other prominent figures in psychology, such as Sigmund Freud, which is why you may have not heard of him before.
Carl Jung
Carl Jung, born in 1875 in Switzerland, also began his career as a protégé of Sigmund Freud. He was a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst whose ideas and theories have had a profound impact on psychology and continue to shape our understanding of the human psyche. Like Wilhelm Reich, Jung developed his own distinct approach, leading to a parting of ways with Freud and the emergence of what is now known as analytical psychology. One of Jung's most significant contributions was his exploration of the collective unconscious. He proposed that beyond our personal conscious and unconscious minds, there exists a deeper level of shared, universal experiences and symbols that he referred to as the collective unconscious.
According to Jung, the collective unconscious consists of archetypes, universal patterns of thought and behavior that are deeply rooted in our ancestral heritage. These archetypes manifest in dreams, myths, and cultural symbols, shaping our understanding of the world and influencing our psychological development. Jung believed that accessing and integrating the contents of the collective unconscious was essential for achieving individuation—the process of becoming a fully integrated and authentic self. Through techniques such as dream analysis, active imagination, and exploring symbolic imagery, individuals could uncover hidden aspects of their psyche and achieve greater self-awareness.
Another key concept in Jungian psychology is the idea of the persona and the shadow. The persona represents the social mask we wear to conform to societal expectations, while the shadow represents the repressed and unconscious aspects of ourselves that we may find uncomfortable or unacceptable. Jung emphasized the importance of embracing and integrating the shadow to achieve psychological wholeness. By acknowledging and working with these unconscious elements, individuals could gain a deeper understanding of themselves and transcend limitations imposed by societal norms.
He emphasized the interconnectedness of psyche and soma, meaning the integration of psychological and physical aspects of an individual's experience. Jung's concept of the "psychoid" was particularly influential in somatic psychotherapy. He proposed that there are aspects of the psyche that cannot be strictly categorized as purely mental or purely physical but exist in a realm between the two. This notion aligns with the understanding in somatic therapy that the body and mind are inseparable and that psychological issues can manifest somatically.
Jung's exploration of symbols, metaphors, and dreams has been integrated into somatic therapy practices. Somatic therapists often work with clients to explore bodily sensations, movements, and gestures as symbolic expressions of unconscious material and guide them to pay attention to bodily sensations and engage in somatic practices to access and process unresolved emotions and traumas.
Jung's emphasis on the integration of the unconscious and the conscious aspects of the self has also influenced somatic approaches. Somatic psychotherapy recognizes that the body holds implicit memories, trauma imprints, and patterns of behavior that are stored outside of conscious awareness. Through somatic techniques such as body awareness, breathwork, movement, and touch, therapists help clients access and integrate these unconscious aspects, facilitating healing and transformation.
Lastly, Jung's therapeutic approach emphasized the therapeutic relationship as a partnership between the therapist and the individual seeking treatment. He believed in the importance of creating a safe and nonjudgmental space for exploration and self-discovery, a key feature in somatic psychotherapy. His concepts of archetypes and the collective unconscious continue to resonate with scholars and practitioners across various disciplines.
Fritz Perls
The next psychotherapist holds a special place in my heart as he is the creator of Gestalt therapy. Fritz Perls was born in 1893 in Germany and developed Gestalt therapy in the 1940s. Perls' approach to therapy emphasized the importance of awareness, personal responsibility, and the integration of mind, body, and emotions. I often quote him to those I work with when he said, "fear is excitement without the breath."
Perls believed that individuals often experienced difficulties and unresolved conflicts due to fragmented experiences and an incomplete sense of self. Gestalt therapy aimed to help individuals become more aware of their present moment experiences and engage fully with their thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Central to Gestalt therapy was the concept of the "Gestalt" itself, which refers to the whole, unified experience of an individual at any given moment. Perls emphasized the importance of bringing unresolved experiences, thoughts, and emotions into awareness, completing them, and integrating them into one's sense of self. In therapy sessions, Perls employed various techniques to facilitate this process, including role-playing, empty-chair dialogues, and experiments to heighten awareness and promote self-discovery. Through these methods, individuals were encouraged to explore their inner conflicts, unfinished business, and relational patterns in the present moment.
Perls emphasized the power of taking personal responsibility for one's own experiences and choices. He encouraged individuals to move away from blaming external circumstances or others and to explore their own role in creating and perpetuating their difficulties. He believed that true healing and growth could be achieved through being present in the "here and now" and direct, embodied experience rather than solely intellectual understanding.
Attending to emotions and unresolved issues through bodily sensations was crucial for personal growth and self-awareness. Perls encouraged clients to pay attention to their bodily experiences, such as tension, movement, and gestures, as a means of accessing and exploring their underlying emotions and psychological processes. He believed that the body could convey meaning and emotions that words alone might not capture. Being present and engaged with your own experiences, embracing personal responsibility, and actively working towards integrating your thoughts, feelings, and sensations are interwoven in many of the somatic approaches you will interact with today.
Eugene Gendlin
Eugene Gendlin, born in 1926 in Austria, was an American philosopher and psychologist who's work centered around the concept of "felt sense," which refers to a bodily awareness of a situation or issue. He believed that our bodies carry a wealth of implicit knowledge and wisdom that can guide us towards understanding and resolving emotional conflicts and life challenges.
Gendlin developed a method called "focusing" to help individuals access and explore their felt sense. He proposed that the body carries implicit, preverbal knowledge and wisdom that can be accessed through an attentive and empathic exploration of bodily sensations and felt experiences. Focusing involves bringing gentle attention to the body and noticing subtle bodily sensations, allowing them to unfold and reveal deeper layers of meaning and insight. Through the practice of focusing, individuals can tap into their own inner wisdom and gain a clearer understanding of their emotions, experiences, and life situations. Focusing provides a pathway for self-discovery and personal growth by facilitating a deeper connection between the mind, body, and emotions.
Gendlin's work expanded beyond individual therapy and influenced the development of Focusing-Oriented Therapy. This therapeutic approach incorporates focusing as a core component, emphasizing the importance of experiential exploration and bodily awareness in the therapeutic process. In Focusing-Oriented Therapy, the therapist guides the individual in cultivating a compassionate and non-judgmental presence, encouraging them to explore their felt senses, listen to their bodily wisdom, and express their experiences through language.
Gendlin's work has been widely applied in various therapeutic modalities, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and somatic psychotherapy. His emphasis on the body's innate intelligence and the integration of felt senses has expanded our understanding of the mind-body connection. His book, "Focusing," outlines the concepts and practices of focusing, making it accessible to a broader audience.
Alexander Lowen
We will cover two more prominent individuals in the field of somatic psychotherapy. One is Alexander Lowen, born in 1910 in New York City, and was an American physician and psychotherapist who developed a unique approach known as Bioenergetic Analysis. Drawing upon his background in medicine and his studies in Wilhelm Reich's work, Lowen integrated body-oriented techniques with psychotherapy to address the mind-body connection in healing.
Lowen believed that psychological issues and emotional conflicts were not limited to the mind alone, but were also deeply ingrained within the body. He emphasized the importance of understanding the body's role in emotional well-being and advocated for a holistic approach to therapy. One of Lowen's key contributions was the concept of "bioenergetics." He viewed the body as a complex energetic system, with emotions and psychological patterns being reflected in the body's muscular tension and energy flow. He expanded upon Wilhelm Reich's work in body armor and believed that the body holds emotional and energetic patterns that are expressed through muscular rigidity, postural habits, and breathing patterns. By working with the body, Lowen aimed to release emotional blockages and promote overall psychological well-being.
Lowen developed a range of exercises and interventions to help individuals connect with their bodies and release tension and trauma stored within. These techniques included grounding exercises, breathwork, movement exercises, and body-centered awareness practices. Central to Lowen's approach was the recognition of the body's wisdom and its capacity to express and release emotions. He believed that through accessing and releasing blocked energy in the body, individuals could not only alleviate physical symptoms but also experience profound emotional healing and personal growth.
Lowen's work also emphasized the importance of body language and nonverbal communication in understanding an individual's emotional state. He identified different body types and postural patterns associated with specific character structures, which are believed to reflect specific psychological and emotional patterns. He believed that the body often revealed more about a person's true feelings and thoughts than words alone, and he incorporated this understanding into his therapeutic approach.
Through his books, including "Bioenergetics" and "The Betrayal of the Body," as well as his workshops and teachings, Alexander Lowen popularized and expanded the field of somatic psychotherapy. His work has influenced countless therapists and individuals seeking a deeper connection between their emotional well-being and their physical bodies.
Stanley Keleman
And lastly, a therapist who I researched quite a bit and incorporated into my own published thesis on Cultivating a Relationship with the Gut Brain, Stanley Keleman, born in 1931 in the United States, was a somatic therapist, author, and educator who has made significant contributions to the field of somatic psychology through his creation of Formative Psychology.
Keleman's work is rooted in the belief that the body is an essential gateway to understanding and transforming psychological and emotional states. He developed the concept of "form" as a central element in his therapeutic approach, focusing on how individuals shape their experiences and express their sense of self through bodily patterns and movements. Keleman explains that the shape a body takes is an anatomical organization and that the shape of any body is a behavior. Keleman uses a methodology called the Bodying Practice, which involves becoming aware of how one is living in one’s body, intensifying this bodily experience, and then collapsing the intensification to re-organize new patterns of being. He believed that when there is anatomical change, there is behavioral change and vice versa.
Keleman believed our unique bodily forms are influenced by early experiences, cultural conditioning, and individual choices. He proposed that by working with and changing these forms, individuals could create new possibilities for personal growth and transformation. Keleman's approach integrates concepts from various disciplines, including anatomy, physiology, psychology, and sociology. His therapeutic techniques involve somatic exercises, breathwork, and movement practices designed to help individuals access and transform their bodily patterns and emotional states.
Central to Keleman's work is the idea that the body is not just a passive vessel but an active participant in the process of personal development. He emphasizes the role of proprioception, the body's ability to sense and perceive itself, in facilitating self-awareness and change. Keleman's Formative Psychology also places importance on the integration of emotions and thoughts with bodily sensations. He views emotions as physical expressions that can be experienced, understood, and transformed through mindful attention to bodily sensations and movements. His books, such as "Emotional Anatomy" and "Your Body Speaks Its Mind," explores the connections between the body, emotions, and personal growth, and have helped to popularize the understanding of somatic psychology and its applications.
Relationship with Food
If you're still with me here, let me take a moment to connect this all with your relationship with food, which is why you're typically tuning in here. It is these pioneers in somatic psychotherapy that we can be inspired by to experience that your relationship with food including any patterns of disordered eating, binge eating, emotional eating, dieting, undereating, and restricting, are all your body's way of communicating to you.
If we viewed your food coping mechanisms through the eyes of each of these individuals, Wilhelm Reich might say that your food behaviors are your way of armoring to protect yourself. Pierre Janet might suggest that your food behaviors are a response to past trauma and are being done in a dissociated state. Carl Jung would potentially say that your food habits are an expression of what is hiding in your unconscious. Fritz Perls might explore that your food coping mechanisms are a reaction to unresolved experiences in your body and a lack of here and now presence. Alexander Lowen would view your food behaviors as a sign of blocked energy in your body. And, Stanley Keleman would see your food patterns as a form that you're stuck in and that your form has organized itself around your food behaviors that would need to be felt, intensified, and collapsed to create a new expression of you in the world.
Your eating habits and patterns have been the answer not the problem.
I hope you have enjoyed this first episode on this mini series about the history of somatics. Next week, we will explore the movement influences of somatic psychotherapy such as dance movement therapy, Feldenkrais, authentic movement, yoga and so much more. If you have any questions, email me at support@stephaniemara.com and looking forward to connecting with you next week!
Resources:
Psychology of the Unconscious by Carl Jung
Gestalt Therapy Verbatim by Fritz Perls
Bioenergetics by Alexander Lowen
A Manual of Bioenergetic Exercises by Alexander Lowen
The Betrayal of the Body by Alexander Lowen