SOMATIC & BODY-BASED APPROACHES
Helping Children & Young People Feel Safe, Grounded and Connected to their Bodies
WHAT IS A SOMATIC APPROACH?
Somatic work is an approach that recognises the strong connection between the body and emotions. When children experience stress, anxiety, overwhelm, or big feelings, it often shows up physically, through tension, stomach aches, restlessness, or shutting down.
I use somatic and body-based practices to help young people tune into their bodies in a safe, gentle, age-appropriate way. These methods blend naturally with play and creative arts therapy, supporting children and adolescents to understand what their bodies are telling them and how to regulate more effectively.
WHY THE BODY MATTERS IN THERAPY?
Our bodies often communicate through sensations.
A somatic lens helps to:
• Notice what different feelings feel like in their bodies
• Understand early signs of overwhelm
• Build confidence in expressing needs
• Develop tools to settle, ground, or energise themselves
• Strengthen mind–body awareness
• Reduce anxiety and build emotional resilience
SOMATIC WORK IN SESSIONS
Somatic work is woven into the therapy process rather than delivered as a separate technique. It may include:
• Grounding exercises
• Breathing practices
• Movement and posture exploration
• Creative body mapping
• Sensory play
• Mindful noticing
• Creative Visualisation
These practices are always trauma-informed, child-led, and adapted to suit the child or young person’s comfort level.
WHAT CAN IT HELP WITH?
Somatic work can be especially helpful for children and teenagers who:
• Experience anxiety or panic
• Feel overwhelmed easily
• Struggle with emotional regulation
• Have difficulty identifying feelings
• Bottle up emotions or shut down
• Are highly sensitive or sensory-seeking
• Carry stress in their body
• Have experienced early stress, disruption, or trauma
These embodied tools support returning to safety, presence, and connection both in therapy and in daily life.
WHY IT WORKS WELL WITH PLAY & CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY?
Somatic work complements my existing toolkit.
Many young people naturally use movement, rhythm, sensory play, art, and posture to express themselves. By combining play, creativity, and body awareness, children can:
• Express feelings without needing words
• Release tension through movement and creativity
• Understand themselves more fully
• Strengthen their capacity for self-regulation
• Develop lasting coping skills
This integrated approach supports deep, compassionate healing in a way that feels safe, playful, and developmentally appropriate.
KIND WORDS
I can’t praise Ashleigh enough for her work she done with my son in helping him with the transition of settling into secondary school. Patient and very professional.
Ashleigh is a wonderful play therapist. Sensitive, thoughtful, insightful and very kind.
Our daughter had a tricky time compounded by change of schools and the pandemic. She loved Ashleigh and really trusted her.
Ashleigh gently got her back on track and made school seem fun again. We can’t thank her enough for helping us turn a corner with our daughter, who is now thriving. We highly recommend her.
Ashleigh’s warmth and natural connection with children was ideal for making the sessions a positive experience. She was expert, responsive and professional in all our interaction with her too. Would highly recommend.