History of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy was developed in the 1980's by Pat Ogen. After working for many years with Ron Kurz developing Hakomi Therapy, Pat began working more with the body in treating trauma. She found that people with trauma symptoms responded better to this type of treatment than to other talk therapies, and over the years has continued to develop the method to serve not only those suffering from trauma, but to those with developmental issues as well.

Developmental Model and Symptom Management

As we grow from small infants to adults, we physiologically develop in a similar manner. First, beginning in utero, we develop a body, that has sensations, senses, and movements. Next we develop emotions. Last, we develop the ability to think and plan. Our brain, as a part of our body, develops in the same manner and guides our development. First, the parts of our brain that govern autonomic body functions and movement develops. Then, the limbic brain, which governs emotions develops. Last, the frontal cortex which governs higher cognitive abilities develops.

We can manage problems in our lives by thinking about them (utilizing our frontal cortex) or by bringing attention to the body (utilizing our more primitive brain). An example of using our thoughts to manage symptoms is when we feel hungry, but we think "I don't have time to eat now" and the hunger goes away. An example of using the body to manage symptoms is when we feel very angry, and we exercise to dispel the anger.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Many therapies use thinking, called top down management, for treatment of symptoms. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy uses top down management when appropriate. However, leading researchers in the field of trauma (i.e., Bessel van der Kolk, Allan Schore, Ellert Nijenhuis, Onno van der Hart) have shown that in trauma, the body processing (called bottom up processing) is active, and so bottom up treatment is most effective.

In Sensorimotor Psychotherapy sessions, clients are helped to connect with the felt sense in their bodies: their sensations, senses, and movements, as well as their emotions and thoughts. This felt sense is used to process memory through the body so that it is no longer held in the body (the holding brings on symptoms as the body tries to process out the memory). It is used to find meaning and connect emotions in issues where they psyche has become split, in order to bring a sense of connection and wholeness within the self.

Further Information

For more information go to The Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute and click on "Articles by SP Trainers".