Sexual struggles aren’t just physical for many people. They are tied to deep-rooted trauma, past experiences, and emotions. 

If you have ever felt disconnected from your body, struggled with intimacy, or carried shame around your sexuality, somatic sex therapy offers a transformative path to healing to help create a deeper connection to healing. 

But what exactly is somatic sex therapy, and how can you incorporate it into your sexual experiences? This post will serve as a simple guide to somatic sex therapy for beginners. 

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Key Takeaways

• Somatic sex therapy combines body-based practices with psychotherapy to improve sexual well-being. It focuses on healing sexual trauma, improving intimacy, and reconnecting with your bodily sensations.
• Somatic sex therapy sessions may include breathwork, movement, and mindfulness exercises tailored to your exact needs.
• Some of the benefits of somatic sex therapy are reduced anxiety, improved sexual confidence, and deeper emotional connections.
• You can become a certified somatic sex practitioner by enrolling in our globally recognized Somatic Sex Coaching Certificate course and become a certified Somatic Sex Practitioner. This 9-month advanced Somatic Sex Coaching Certificate specializes in business, mentoring, and the new paradigm of Sex and relating.

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What is Somatic Sex Therapy?

Somatic sex therapy is an innovative approach to emotional and sexual well-being that blends body-centered practices with traditional psychological strategies with a deep focus on building a profound connection between mind and body. The word “somatic” comes from the Greek word “soma,” which means body. This signifies the focus on healing and pleasuring the physical body. 

At its core, somatic sex therapy helps individuals: 

• Reconnect with their bodies and sensations.
• Process past trauma that is affecting physical intimacy and sexual expression.
• Build deeper self-awareness towards pleasure. 

The need for somatic sex therapy is rooted in neuroscience, with studies showing how trauma is stored in the body. This therapy releases this stored trauma through a series of body-based interventions. 

There are other similar kinds of therapy, like traditional talk therapy and traditional sex therapy. However, they follow different practices. 

Somatic sex therapy vs. traditional talk therapy

Unlike somatic sex therapy, which focuses on the body, traditional talk therapy focuses on processing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors verbally. It does not fully address how trauma is stored in the body or the impact of physical sensations on emotional healing.

Somatic sex therapy vs. traditional sex therapy

Traditional sex therapy focuses on addressing issues like performance anxiety, relationship struggles, and dysfunctions using a psychological and behavioral approach instead of a body-based approach like in somatic sex therapy. 

Who Can Benefit from Somatic Sex Therapy?

Anyone looking to heal, deepen self-awareness, and improve their relationship with intimacy and pleasure can benefit from somatic sex therapy. It can be very beneficial for:

• Trauma survivors
• People with intimacy or relationship issues 
• People experiencing sexual dysfunction
• Those struggling with shame around their bodies 
• Couples wanting to improve their sex life

What Does a Somatic Sex Therapist Do?

A somatic sex therapist helps individuals and couples deal with and overcome intimacy issues, heal from past trauma, and reconnect with their bodies. The therapist uses body-based techniques to address stored trauma, improve pleasure, and build deeper self-awareness. Somatic sex therapists create a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences without shame or pressure.

Some important aspects of their work include:

• Helping clients develop body awareness through breathwork and mindful movement.
• Guiding clients in releasing trauma stored in the body.
• Supporting couples in improving intimacy and communication.
• Encourage clients to explore pleasure and sensation in a safe, non-judgmental way.

What Are The Principles of Somatic Sex Therapy?

Principles like mindfulness, body awareness, and explicit content are the core of somatic sex therapy as they help build a deeper understanding of your body and sexual experiences.

The mind-body connection

This principle is focused on teaching you how to feel safe in your skin. Your body holds on to past traumatic experiences, even when your mind has forgotten them. This affects how you navigate stressful situations and relationships in life. For example, a person who deals with past trauma around intimacy may experience tightness in their chest or anxiety during intimate moments. Somatic therapy teaches you to recognize what you’re feeling in the moment, pause, breathe deeply, and release the patterns of fear you hold on to. 

A Trauma-informed approach

This principle focuses on the fact that healing is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and you are allowed to heal at your own pace. Many people struggle with intimacy because of past experiences of emotional or physical trauma. Somatic sex therapy does not force you to relive this trauma. Instead, it provides a slow, guided, and compassionate approach to healing that prioritizes your comfort above progress until you regain a sense of control and safety, especially during intimate moments. 

Consent and boundaries

Many people do not know how to set clear sexual and emotional boundaries, mainly because they were never taught how to or were shut down whenever they tried. Somatic sex therapy helps you recognize, communicate, and reinforce your personal boundaries in relationships. By learning to honor your boundaries, you feel more respected and empowered in your body. 

Breathwork and movement

Your body can hold on to tension when you experience trauma. This often reveals itself as tight shoulders, clenched jaws, pelvic discomfort, etc. By using breathwork and movement exercises, this therapy helps release stored tension and creates more space for relaxation and pleasure. With regular practice, you will begin to feel more present and at ease within your body, making sexual experiences more fulfilling. 

Embodiment 

For many people, pleasure feels like a distant goal to achieve due to stress, past trauma, or emotional disconnect. Somatic sex therapy teaches pleasure in a mindful, pressure-free manner to help clients feel and enjoy their bodies without any shame or fear. This could be achieved through sensory exercises, self-touch practices, etc. The goal is to reignite the body’s natural ability to experience pleasure fully and safely. 

What Happens in a Somatic Sex Therapy Session?

No two somatic sex therapy sessions are the same. Each session is tailored to match the client’s needs and tweaked as the therapist feels the client is ready for it. However, a typical session includes talk-based exploration, body awareness exercises, and other guided practices.

Setting intentions

The session usually begins with a conversation to establish goals, address concerns, and set boundaries. The therapist ensures that the client feels safe, respected, and in control of the process. This part may involve discussing past experiences and current challenges, setting boundaries for what feels comfortable, etc. 

Body awareness and breathwork

Here, the priority is helping clients connect with physical sensations. They are guided through simple body-based practices like breathwork and movement to increase their awareness and calm the nervous system.

Exploring touch

Depending on how comfortable the client is, a typical session may include guided touch exercises, either self-directed or with a partner (for couples). This is to rebuild trust and develop positive responses to touch. 

Processing

After the practical parts of the session, the therapist will ask you to reflect on your experience and begin to practice the lessons in your daily life. The therapist may also suggest some at-home practices to do so you don’t lose any progress.

Benefits of Somatic Sex Therapy

Somatic sex therapy goes beyond traditional talk therapy by helping individuals and couples reconnect with their bodies, release trauma, and build a more fulfilling, intimate life. 

Here’s how it can help:

• Healing from trauma 

Many people store trauma, shame, or fear in their bodies, and this can create emotional and physical barriers to intimacy. Somatic sex therapy helps you process and release stored trauma and creates a feeling of safety and healing.

• Improved intimacy 

Whether working individually or as a couple, this therapy strengthens emotional and physical bonds by promoting trust, clear communication, and deeper connection, all of which are building blocks for better intimacy.

• Increased body awareness 

By tuning into physical sensations, clients develop a deeper understanding of their bodies, learn to recognize pleasure, and set healthy personal boundaries.

• Overcoming sexual dysfunction

Issues like pain during Sex, low libido, erectile dysfunction, or difficulty experiencing pleasure can often be linked to stress, trauma, or disconnection from the body. Somatic therapy addresses these concerns at both a physical and emotional level and helps you overcome them.

• Reduced shame around Sex

Cultural, religious, or personal experiences can create shame or anxiety around sexuality. Somatic sex therapy helps reframe these beliefs and build a healthier, more positive relationship with intimacy.

• Better emotional regulation 

Techniques such as breathwork, guided touch, and movement help clients regulate stress responses, calm the nervous system, and feel more present in their bodies. This helps you regulate your emotions better, even in high-stress or triggering situations.

FAQs

How long does somatic therapy last?

A typical session can last about 50-60 minutes. However, the duration of the entire treatment varies depending on individual needs. Some people see progress in a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing therapy over several months.

Can I do somatic therapy on myself?

Yes, you can practice somatic exercises like breathwork, body scans, and mindful movement on your own, but working with a therapist provides deeper guidance and support.

What are the side effects of somatic exercises?

Some people may experience emotional releases, mild discomfort, or temporary fatigue as stored tension is processed. These effects are normal and usually fade with continued practice.

Become a Certified Somatic Sex Coach with INPI

Join our internationally recognized Somatic Sex Coaching Certification and gain the skills to guide others through the Self Pleasure Modality™️. Offered by New Paradigm Intimacy, this 9-month advanced training goes beyond traditional certification, equipping you with expertise in coaching, business, and modern approaches to intimacy and relationships. 

This course is designed for all genders and integrates trauma-informed somatic practices, sacred sexuality, and mentoring. It empowers you to step into leadership and create lasting change in the field of sexuality and healing.