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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body-based, trauma-informed approach that integrates talk therapy with mindful awareness of bodily sensations, movements, and posture. Developed by Pat Ogden, this method supports clients in healing trauma and emotional distress by working with the nervous system and body—not just the mind.

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At Wellness Counselling Centre, we use Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to help clients release stored trauma, develop nervous system regulation, and reconnect with their bodies in safe and empowering ways.

 

How Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Can Help

​Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is especially helpful for individuals experiencing:

• Trauma & PTSD – Supporting the resolution of trauma stored in the body

• Chronic Stress or Hypervigilance – Helping the nervous system shift out of fight/flight/freeze

• Emotional Dysregulation – Learning body-based tools for grounding and calming

• Dissociation or Numbing – Gently increasing body awareness and presence

• Anxiety or Panic – Working with somatic cues and early signs of activation

• Grief, Shame, or Emotional Overwhelm – Accessing and releasing emotions through gentle movement and awareness

• Chronic Pain or Illness – Exploring the connection between physical symptoms and emotional experiences

This approach acknowledges that trauma isn’t just a story we carry—it’s something our bodies remember.

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Who Can Benefit from Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?

​Sensorimotor therapy is supportive for:

• Adults and youth recovering from trauma or emotionally overwhelming experiences

• Clients who feel stuck in talk therapy alone and want to include the body in healing

• Individuals with a history of abuse, neglect, or emotional invalidation

• People navigating chronic illness, tension, or trauma-related physical symptoms

• Those who want to develop greater emotional awareness, regulation, and resilience

It’s a gentle, client-paced approach that honours personal boundaries and fosters internal safety.

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What to Expect in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor sessions are collaborative and attuned to your comfort level. Therapy may include:

• Mindful Awareness of the Body – Tracking sensations, posture, and breath

• Movement Exploration – Noticing gestures or impulses that relate to emotion or memory

• Grounding & Resourcing Techniques – Identifying physical movements or images that bring stability

• Processing Trauma Somatically – Supporting the body to release held responses (without needing to retell the trauma)

• Integrating Mind & Body – Linking physical sensations to thoughts, emotions, and past experiences

Therapy unfolds slowly and respectfully, with an emphasis on building regulation, resilience, and reconnection.

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Our Approach to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

At Wellness Counselling Centre, we often integrate Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Exploring how emotional parts show up in the body

• Mindfulness-Based Therapy – Supporting present-moment awareness and nervous system safety

• Somatic Psychotherapy – Using body cues to inform emotional and relational healing

• Narrative Therapy – Processing meaning while staying grounded in the body’s wisdom

• Trauma-Informed Approaches – Ensuring that the pace and process feel safe and empowering

This mind-body integration supports clients in moving from survival to embodied presence.

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Listen to What Your Body Has Been Holding

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy helps you tune into the messages your body is sending—and gently release what no longer serves you.