Online Somatic Therapy:
Does This Kind of Therapy Work Online?

Lately when I get a call from a prospective client, the first question I get is “Does this kind of therapy work online?” My answer is a resounding “Yes.” I was offering my clients phone and video sessions prior to the Coronavirus outbreak and I was happy to find out that we could do deep work together using ZOOM. I do prefer working in person, but I’m grateful that we have other options.

When I meet with a new client, the first thing I teach them is how to track sensations in their bodies. Clients learn how to notice pleasant and unpleasant sensations in their bodies and put words to their experience. Most of my clients are very good at tracking unpleasant sensations and emotions, building their awareness of pleasant sensations can sometimes be a challenge.

The combination of the client tracking their own experience and my awareness of what I see, hear and sense creates a powerful frame, even through Zoom. I’m trained in the Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM), a psychobiological approach for addressing attachment, relational and developmental trauma. NARM combines a top-down and bottom-up approach. Learn more about NARM here.

During sessions, I encourage people to let their eyes look around the room rather than trying to focus on me through the screen, I explain that they don’t need to feel pressured to try and make eye contact through the screen and that this is not possible anyway. Often, I’ll ask people to move their bodies and see what they notice. Some clients like to stand up from time to time during our sessions, while others prefer to remain seated or lying on a couch. I use tracking to assess what’s happening in the moment and to help people “land” in their bodies. If you are interested in learning more about tracking and other somatic techniques, I recommend Elaine Miller Karas’ Trauma Resiliency training (TRM), which is based on Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing. TRM is an affordable training that is scheduled over two three day weekends, it’s currently being offered online.

Brainspotting and EMDR are two modalities that I use regularly with my clients. Both work well online and there are many free resources available on social media through the Brainspotting and EMDR professional networks. Several prominent leaders in these communities like David Grand, Lisa Larson and Laurel Parnell have offered free webinars on working online. Feel free to contact me directly if you need help locating these resources.

I offer group therapy in my practice and I’ve studied with Haim Weinberg, PhD, a legendary group therapist who has written two books on working online with individuals and groups. I’ve been a participant and a leader of online groups and have found them to be quite effective. When my group members get upset about Zoom freezing up and missing our in-person experience, it’s a good opportunity to explore some rich clinical material.

Finally, be sure to note your client’s physical address and emergency contact information before your session. Prior to the pandemic, several of my clients traveled frequently, and I wrote down their hotel address and room number at the beginning of each session. It’s important that the client has a private place for their session and that all phone and computer notifications are silenced. I encourage people to find a spot in their home or office where they can get comfortable and I encourage them to take a few moments to settle in and arrive at our session before we begin.

These are challenging times for all of us, I’m hopeful that expanding our ability to work online will have a positive impact on our industry in the long run. I try and remind myself to be flexible when a neighbor’s dog disrupts my session, or the Instacart delivery person knocks on my door. My clients usually laugh and it’s all grist for the mill. 

Maria Gray, LMFT, NMP, CGP, is a psychotherapist in private practice in Century City, where she specializes in trauma and addictions and leads groups. She enjoys working with adults who grew up around mentally ill or addictive family members. To learn more, go to www.mariagray.net.