Thinking Isn’t the Only Tool
Somatic Therapy + CBT
Play the audio version on Substack
This September, we’re exploring how somatic therapy complements traditional talk therapy models. Today, we’re focusing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) — one of the most widely researched and applied approaches in modern psychotherapy.
Developed by Dr. Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, CBT focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It's backed by decades of research showing its effectiveness in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more.
Many modern adaptations, like Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), further integrate present-moment awareness to enhance CBT’s core tools.
🧠 Why Pair CBT with Somatic Therapy?
CBT is brilliant at helping us identify patterns: the negative thoughts that spiral, the beliefs that fuel anxiety, the behaviours that keep us stuck.
But what happens when your body hasn’t caught up to your mind?
You might know the thought isn’t true.
You might repeat affirmations, challenge distortions, do the worksheets.
And still — your jaw clenches. Your stomach knots. Your chest tightens.
That’s where somatic therapy comes in.
Instead of overriding the body, we learn to listen to it.
✨ Somatic Practice: Thought, Body, Response
Here’s a simple practice to integrate body awareness with cognitive insight:
Bring to mind a thought that’s been bothering you lately.
Say it to yourself slowly.
Pause: Where do you feel that thought in your body?
• Is there tension? Pressure? Heat?
• What happens if you soften around it, or exhale gently?Ask your body: What do you want me to know about this thought?
You don’t have to force a breakthrough — just notice. This builds awareness of your body’s response to thought and makes room for gentler internal dialogue.
🛋️ Tend to it in Therapy
Want to bring this into session? You might try:
“I know this thought isn’t rational, but it still makes my chest feel tight — can we work with that?”
“Sometimes CBT tools feel like they’re only scratching the surface — can we try something more body-based?”
“I want to notice what’s happening in my body while I’m doing the thought work.”
📣 Call to Action
Somatic therapy doesn’t replace CBT — it complements it.
If you’ve done cognitive work and feel like your body’s still bracing, this kind of integration might be the missing piece.
📍 Book a free 15-minute consult to explore how this might work for you.
