Traditional talk therapy primarily works through language and cognitive understanding — helping you make sense of your experiences through conversation. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy goes further by working directly with the body. Your therapist will pay close attention to physical sensations, posture, movement, and gesture as they arise in session, using these as entry points into trauma processing. This allows healing to happen at a somatic level, reaching aspects of trauma that words alone may not be able to access.

No. One of the strengths of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is that it does not require you to verbally recount your traumatic experiences in detail. Much of the work happens through noticing what arises in the body — sensations, impulses, posture, breath — rather than through narrative retelling. Your therapist will guide you through this process at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

SP sessions involve a combination of conversation and body-focused awareness. Your therapist may invite you to slow down and notice physical sensations as they arise, explore movements or gestures that emerge naturally, or experiment with small physical adjustments that support nervous system regulation. Sessions are collaborative and paced carefully — your therapist will check in regularly and follow your lead throughout the process.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) and Somatic Experiencing (SE) are both somatic approaches to trauma that work with the body and nervous system, and both involve completing thwarted survival responses. However they are distinct modalities. SE was developed by Peter Levine and focuses primarily on tracking bodily felt sense and discharging stored survival energy. SP was developed by Pat Ogden and draws on a broader theoretical base — integrating somatic therapies, neuroscience, attachment theory, mindfulness, and cognitive approaches. While SE centres the completion of survival responses, SP integrates these with attachment, relational, and cognitive dimensions of healing, making it particularly well suited to complex and relational trauma. At Being and Becoming, our therapists are trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy specifically.

The length of SP therapy varies depending on the nature and complexity of your trauma, your goals, and how you respond to treatment. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a relatively short period, while those with more complex trauma histories typically benefit from longer-term work. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to establish goals and regularly assess your progress throughout treatment.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is not covered by MSP in BC. However, many extended health benefit plans cover sessions with a Licensed Psychologist and/or Registered Clinical Counsellor. Coverage varies by plan, so we recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm whether these designations are covered and what your limits are. We provide receipts at the time of payment that you can submit for reimbursement.

Yes — online SP is possible and can be effective, though it requires some modifications compared to in-person sessions. Your therapist will adapt the approach to work well in a virtual environment, focusing on body awareness, sensation tracking, and nervous system regulation in ways that translate well online. For some clients and presentations, in-person sessions may be preferable — this is something you can discuss with your therapist during your initial consultation.