Somatic therapy and somatic healing in London
Sometimes what we struggle with is not only held in thoughts or memories.
Stress, trauma and emotional overwhelm can also show up in the body, through tension, shutdown, anxiety, numbness, restlessness or feeling disconnected from yourself.
I offer somatic therapy in London – in person at King’s Cross, Angel and Farringdon – and online across the UK, helping you work gently with the connection between body, emotion and the nervous system.
Michael Swales
MBACP, NCPS Acc.In-person therapy in London
Online therapy
across the UKIndividual therapy
from £75Couples therapy
from £95
Who it’s for
Support when talking alone does not feel enough
Somatic therapy may be helpful if you feel that your body reacts before your mind can catch up.
You may understand some of your patterns logically, but still feel tense, overwhelmed, numb, shut down or on edge. You might notice that certain situations trigger a physical response, even when you know you are not in immediate danger.
This work is for people who want to explore emotional and physical responses gently, without being pushed to relive difficult experiences before they feel ready.
Common reasons
Reasons people seek somatic therapy
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Anxiety or emotional overwhelm
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Feeling tense, restless or on edge
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Shutdown, numbness or disconnection
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Trauma responses held in the body
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Difficulty feeling safe or grounded
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Physical reactions to emotional triggers
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Patterns that are hard to change through talking alone
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Stress that feels stored in the body
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Feeling frozen, braced or unable to relax
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Difficulty recognising what you feel until it becomes intense
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Feeling stuck in a pattern you both want to change
What to expect
A gentle, paced way to work with the body
Sessions are calm, collaborative and paced around what feels manageable.
Somatic therapy can include talking, reflection and noticing what is happening in the body. This might include awareness of breath, tension, sensation, posture, restlessness, shutdown or activation.
The aim is not to force a physical or emotional release. It is to build awareness, safety and choice, so you can begin to understand your responses with less fear or judgement.
You do not need to have the right words. We can work with what feels present in the moment.
About the therapist
A somatic therapist in London
My approach is integrative, relational and trauma-informed.
I draw on relationship psychotherapy, somatic therapy, trauma-informed practice and addiction recovery work to help you understand yourself with less shame and more clarity.
Experienced and accredited
Michael Swales is registered with professional bodies including BACP and NCPS, with additional training in relationship psychotherapy, somatic trauma therapy and addiction recovery.
Locations and online
Somatic therapy near you
in London and across the UK
If you are looking for somatic therapy near you, sessions take place in person at King’s Cross, Angel and Farringdon, and online for clients across the UK.
For a fuller introduction to how this way of working can help, read about somatic therapy.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Somatic therapy can include talking, but it also pays attention to physical sensations, nervous system responses and the way emotions show up in the body.
Somatic therapy can be helpful for trauma because trauma often affects the body and nervous system. The work is paced carefully and should not involve forcing you to relive traumatic experiences.
No. You do not need to explain everything in detail straight away. Somatic therapy can work gently with present-day responses, sensations and patterns without rushing into the full story.
Feeling disconnected from the body is common, especially after trauma, stress or overwhelm. Somatic therapy can help you begin noticing your experience gradually and safely.
In-person sessions take place in King’s Cross, Angel and Farringdon. If you live elsewhere in the UK, online sessions may be an option, which we can discuss during the initial consultation.
Online somatic therapy may be suitable for some clients. This can be discussed during your initial consultation.
Individual therapy starts from £75. Fees can vary depending on the type of therapy, format and circumstances, and this can be discussed during your initial consultation.
Get in touch
Take the next step when you're ready
Reaching out can feel like a big step, I offer a safe, confidential place to talk and explore what support might look like for you. Phone, email, video-call or in-person sessions – get in touch in whatever way suits you.
Email
info@michaelswales.com
Response time
I aim to respond to within 1 working day.
I'll be happy to hear from you.
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