As human beings, we all go through challenges as we endeavor to cope with the harsh times that we are facing. This has often resulted in people having to face difficult and often stifling circumstances which at times have led to debilitating psychological states. There is therefore a need to ensure that there are interventions that are utilized that ensure that the needs of the persons concerned are met adequately.
There have been various methods that have been utilized in the attempt to enable clients to deal with difficult issues of life. For instance, there has been the use of psychotherapy. Essentially, psychotherapy is derived from the Greek term therapy which means healing (Nelson, 2005). There are several approaches to therapy. Thus some psychological practitioners employ the somatic psychology approach. Somatic psychology is a unique calling into question the very meaning of “body” both in theory and in practice (Hanlon & Ian, 1998). This implies that this is a special approach that employs the union of the body and the mind towards the realization of an intervention. Somatic interventions play a key role in addressing cases that may be orchestrated by traumatic experiences.
According to Eckberg (1998), “somatic interventions provide information to how a traumatic experience is physiologically patterned and help access biological resources to undoing these patterns” (p. 18). This is quite clear in the sense that there exists a relationship between the biological and psychological orientations towards holistic existence. It is therefore important to clinical psychologists and therapists to put into practice the main aspects and skills within the practice for them to be effective.
It is fundamental to acknowledge that somatic psychology contributes immensely to our understanding of healing and transformation (Caldwell, 1997). This is because it is an approach that integrates a series of approaches and skills which ensure that the needs of the client are met. The main aim of utilizing skills in these practices is to ensure that the objectives of a therapeutic practice are realized both from the therapist and the client. In addition, this is aimed at utilizing these skills that assist clients to develop personal skills and inner strength so that they can create conducive lifestyles with are productive in their own lives and the lives of others (Nelson, 2005).
One of the crucial skills that a therapist needs to be attuned to is that of the self awareness. This is because it enables the counselor to be able to put into place boundaries which ensure that the objectives of a given practice are realized. At times as therapists, one can easily find him or herself becoming overly subjective (Crossley, 1995, pp. 44–45). This is because the psychotherapist’s role involves enabling the client take off the pressure from what they are going through by providing an opportunity for the client to talk and explore their feelings. This is an important aspect of the therapeutic moment in therapy where the therapist needs to be properly attuned with self so as to avoid subjective judgements (Erkberg, 1998).
In conclusion, the practice of psychotherapy cannot be disregarded as one of those professions where on instant qualification; there is no need for further training. It is important that a professional therapist gets well versed with the relevant skills and approaches which are integrative in nature. This serves to ensure that the client’s needs are met and realized professionally.
References
Caldwell, C. (1997). Getting in touch:The guide to new body-centered therapies. Illinois: Theosophical Publishing House.
Crossley, N. (1995). Merleau-Ponty, the elusive body and carnal society. Body and Society, 1, 43–63.
Erkberg, M. (1998). Shock Trauma: Case study of a survivor of political toture. In J. Hanlon, & G. Ian, The Body in Psychology: Inquiries in Somatic psychology (p. 18). Carlifornia: North Atlantic Books.
Hanlon, J., & Ian, G. (1998). The Body in Psychotherapy. In J. Hanlon, & G. Ian, The Body in Psychotherapy (p. 10). California: North Atlantic Books.
Nelson, R. (2005). Introduction to counseling skills (2nd edition). London: Sage Publications Ltd.