Becoming a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist: A Journey Rooted in Healing Through the Body

Introduction

This September, I became a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, a significant milestone representing years of learning, practice, and deep personal growth. This journey was more than just an academic achievement—it was a commitment to supporting clients as they navigate the complexities of life, particularly those who face hostility and marginalization in addition to past harm. Earning this certification required intensive training, numerous peer consultations, and a deep exploration of how to help clients integrate healing beyond the therapy room and into their everyday lives.

As part of my final presentation for Level III Sensorimotor Psychotherapy training, I focused on helping visibly trans* and queer clients with intersecting marginalization physically move out from the safety of the therapy space into a world that often feels unsafe. My presentation emphasized the importance of grounding in the present moment when facing potential danger and reclaiming public spaces through embodied awareness. I also explored the power of co-regulation—walking side by side with clients to integrate the tools we develop in therapy into real-world experiences.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this practice is walking with clients through streets that are not always welcoming, standing tall, laughing, and taking up space. It’s not just walking—it’s an act of resistance. It’s a way to embody the confidence and grounding we cultivate in therapy, applying those tools in environments where we might face harassment or danger. In these moments, a shared glance between us reminds us to take a breath, ground ourselves, and affirm, as Miss Major said, “I don’t need their permission to exist; I exist in spite of them.”

This kind of work—helping clients practice somatic regulation in real-world settings—offers a chance for them to feel their strength in environments that challenge their sense of safety. For marginalized individuals, especially those in the trans community, it is an essential part of the integration process, moving from healing in the therapy room to thriving in a world that is still learning to accept us.

A Foundation in Body-Centred Healing

My journey into body-centred healing began at a young age and has been shaped by diverse practices that emphasize the profound connection between body and mind. At 20, I trained as a massage therapist through a physiotherapist-led program at the Medical Arts Massage School. It was there that I first became fascinated with the body’s capacity to hold and release tension. My education expanded further when I immersed myself in Kripalu Bodywork at the Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health, which deepened my understanding of Healing Touch.

During this time, I also studied Hatha Yoga while living in the Satchidananda Ashram community, where I embraced the teachings of breath, movement, and stillness. Yoga became a way for me to explore the body as both a vessel of presence and transformation, laying the foundation for my work in massage therapy and gentle yoga and grounding me in the power of mindful embodiment.

Yet my interests extended beyond formal practices. I studied Esalen Bodywork, blending touch and movement with a deep awareness of the emotional landscape. I studied somapharmacology and Eastern modalities. I even taught some of those modalities to others as an instructor at MAMS. I also danced with a local Sufi Healing Order in the Blue Ridge Mountains, nurturing my understanding of spiritual and embodied healing. Additionally, I studied Healing Touch with the Holistic Nurses Association, reinforcing my belief in the holistic interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit. Through all these experiences, I remained curious about how the mind and body respond to the world around us—how trauma, stress, and joy shape our physical form and inner world.

My interest in body-centred approaches goes even further back. As a visually impaired toddler, I remember experiencing Feldenkrais movement therapy to develop spatial awareness and purposeful movement. These early lessons taught me the importance of feeling at home in my body, an understanding that has informed my work throughout my career.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is the natural evolution of these practices. By integrating somatic awareness into therapy, SP allows clients to explore how their physical sensations, postures, and movements are deeply connected to emotional experiences. The body becomes both a witness and a guide in therapy, helping clients uncover and process trauma, grief, or emotional wounds that may not always be accessible through words alone (Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

Through SP, I blend the principles I learned from body-centred modalities into my therapeutic practice. Whether guiding a client through grounding exercises, working with breath, or helping them become attuned to subtle shifts in posture, my goal is to help clients reconnect with their bodies as sources of resilience. As Pat Ogden explains, the body holds a “somatic narrative” that informs us through movement, tension, and posture about our lived experiences (Ogden, Minton, & Pain, 2006). This narrative is a powerful entry point for healing, making SP a vital component of my practice.

Understanding Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: A Body-Centred Approach to Healing

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP), developed by Dr. Pat Ogden and many other practitioners in her network, is a body-centred therapeutic approach designed to address the interplay between mind and body in processing trauma, attachment issues, and emotional distress. What sets SP apart from other therapies is its focus on the body’s role in storing and processing trauma. While traditional talk therapy explores emotions through verbal expression, SP integrates the body’s physical responses—sensations, postures, and movements—offering a more holistic path to healing.

Trauma is not only held in the mind but also within the body. Traumatic experiences often disrupt the body’s natural capacity to regulate itself, leaving physical imprints—tensions, reflexes, and postures—that continue to affect emotional and psychological well-being long after the event has passed (Ogden et al., 2006). These physical responses, called the “somatic narrative,” often reveal deeper layers of experience that may not be accessible through words alone.

SP involves dual awareness of the verbal narrative (the client’s story) and the somatic narrative (the body’s story). This approach involves tracking subtle bodily cues, such as shifts in posture, breath changes, or movement patterns, often linked to emotional states or traumatic memories. By engaging with these sensations, clients gain deeper insight into how their bodies hold onto unresolved trauma, allowing them to process and release these experiences safely (Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

Mindfulness is a core principle of SP—an active, present-moment awareness that extends to the body. Clients are invited to observe their physical sensations without judgment, fostering grounding and safety, essential for healing from trauma. As Ogden (2021) explains, “the body is both a source of information and a vehicle for change,” underscoring the integral role of the body in the healing process.

SP’s effectiveness is rooted in “bottom-up” processing, where change starts in the body and influences the mind. This approach contrasts with “top-down” approaches, which prioritize thoughts and cognition (Ogden, Minton, & Pain, 2006). For trauma survivors, who often struggle to process trauma cognitively, working with the body helps bypass mental barriers, offering a more integrated and embodied healing experience.

Becoming a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist: A Long Journey of Integrative Healing

So last month when I became a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, it marked the culmination of years of rigorous training and a deep commitment to supporting clients through a body-centred therapeutic approach. This certification signifies not just a professional milestone, but also my dedication to helping clients access their body’s wisdom to process trauma, foster resilience, and reclaim agency in a world that often feels unsafe (Ogden, Minton, & Pain, 2006). Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) allows me to blend traditional talk therapy with somatic awareness, enabling clients to heal trauma on both physical and emotional levels.

The Training Process: A Journey of Professional and Personal Growth

The process of becoming a certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist involved completing multiple levels of training, each designed to deepen understanding and build upon the knowledge gained in the previous level. These levels were more than theoretical exercises; they represented practical, hands-on approaches that required me to fully embody the work with clients. Over the years, I completed Levels I, II, and III, as well as Advanced Trauma Themes training with Dr. Janina Fisher, an expert in treating complex trauma and dissociation (Ogden & Fisher, 2015). Throughout the certification process, I engaged in both online and in-person modules, participated in small group discussions, and worked closely with peers to refine my clinical skills and apply SP principles to real-world therapeutic contexts.

Peer consultations were a key component of this process. These sessions offered invaluable opportunities for reflection and professional development, allowing me to explore complex casework in collaboration with other practitioners. The feedback and shared insights from these consultations have been instrumental in my growth as a therapist, reinforcing the importance of somatic integration in addressing trauma and attachment issues.

Level 1: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Trauma Treatment

The Level 1 training focused specifically on the treatment of trauma. Trauma is often stored in the body, manifesting in physical symptoms such as tension, posture changes, and movement patterns that may unconsciously reflect unresolved emotional distress (Ogden, Minton, & Pain, 2006). SP teaches practitioners how to track these physical manifestations and use them as an entry point for processing trauma. Through this training, I developed foundational skills for working with clients who have experienced traumatic events, learning body-oriented interventions to identify and address somatic activation.

By attending to the body’s responses to trauma, SP offers a unique pathway for clients to regain a sense of safety and control over their nervous systems. During this training, I learned to help clients regulate their physiological responses to stress and rebuild their somatic sense of self, enabling them to process trauma in a way that integrates both body and mind (Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

Level 2: Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Developmental Injury

Building on the foundational skills learned in Level 1, the Level 2 training addressed developmental injuries and attachment-related issues. These injuries often stem from early childhood experiences, particularly in cases of suboptimal or traumatic attachment relationships. These experiences leave lasting imprints on the body and shape how individuals relate to others, regulate their emotions, and perceive themselves (Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

In this training, I learned to identify and work with clients’ early relational patterns. By tracking how these patterns manifest somatically—whether through tension, posture, or movement—SP allows clients to reconnect with their bodies and transform old patterns of emotional and relational regulation that no longer serve them. This somatic awareness provides a powerful pathway for healing developmental injuries, allowing clients to move toward greater emotional resilience and relational attunement (Ogden et al., 2006).

Level 3: Advanced Integrative Training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

The Level 3 training provided an opportunity to consolidate and deepen the skills developed in the previous levels, preparing practitioners for certification and complex clinical applications. This advanced training consisted of a hybrid format, combining online learning and live practice sessions. Throughout the course, I refined my ability to apply SP techniques to a wide range of clinical situations, including working with clients experiencing complex trauma, dissociation, and long-standing attachment wounds (Ogden, Minton, & Pain, 2006).

Level III also focused on practical application, allowing me to engage in hands-on work with clients while receiving feedback from instructors and peers. These live practice sessions were instrumental in enhancing my clinical skills, particularly in working with somatic cues and integrating body-centred interventions into my therapeutic approach.

Advanced Trauma Themes Training with Dr. Janina Fisher: SP for Complex Trauma and Dissociation

In addition to the core SP training, I had the privilege of participating in advanced trauma training with Dr. Janina Fisher. This specialized training focused on the treatment of clients with complex trauma and dissociative disorders, conditions that require careful attention to both the body and mind. Dr. Fisher’s approach emphasizes mindfulness, somatic regulation, and the integration of parts work, all of which are essential for helping clients manage trauma without becoming overwhelmed (Ogden & Fisher, 2015).

A key concept I learned during this training was working with “slivers” of traumatic material. Rather than confronting the trauma all at once, clients are encouraged to process manageable pieces, or slivers, of the experience. This slow and steady approach helps clients expand their window of tolerance, allowing them to regulate their emotions and somatic responses even in the face of deeply painful memories. Through this method, clients can safely process trauma and dissociation while maintaining a sense of stability and control (Fisher, 2020).

What Certification Means to Me: Fostering Empowerment and Inclusion in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Earning my certification in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is not only a professional achievement—it represents a personal commitment to fostering inclusive, supportive spaces for trans* and queer therapists and clients alike. This certification equips me with the training, skill set, and confidence to help others navigate this powerful modality, knowing they have someone who truly understands their unique experiences in their corner. As a trans and queer therapist, my journey through the program was marked by moments of isolation and microaggressions, which underscored the need for growth in diversity, equity, and inclusion within the therapeutic community.

During my training, I encountered microaggressions that left me feeling unsupported. In many instances, there was no clear response or space for dialogue, and while the program was designed to promote healing, it did not always make space for diverse identities. These experiences were challenging, yet they fuelled my determination to become a resource for other trans* and queer individuals who may face similar struggles. I don’t want others to experience the same lack of understanding or support.

My goal is to empower marginalized therapists to continue their important work, whether through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute or other organizations that actively create space for diversity, equity, and inclusion. For therapists, feeling seen and understood is essential in order to provide that same depth of presence to our clients. I am passionate about being part of this change, ensuring that trans* and queer therapists can thrive in spaces that have historically been exclusionary.

For me, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is much more than a set of tools or techniques. It is a compassionate and holistic framework that allows for deep, integrative healing on emotional, cognitive, and somatic levels. SP enables me to meet my clients where they are, addressing not only their emotional and psychological needs but also the ways in which their lived experiences—such as discrimination, marginalization, or trauma—are held within their bodies. SP bridges the gap between internal and external worlds, helping clients reclaim their bodies as sources of strength and empowerment.

At the core of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is the body’s innate wisdom. I have seen how small, mindful shifts in posture, breath, or movement can unlock deeply held emotions and memories. For clients who have struggled to articulate their experiences in words, these somatic processes provide a powerful gateway to healing. Practices such as grounding and orienting are foundational in SP, helping clients expand their “window of tolerance” and regulate their nervous systems more effectively (Ogden, Minton, & Pain, 2006). These subtle yet transformative shifts enable clients to reclaim agency over their bodies, moving from a state of survival to a place of empowered living.

As a trans and queer psychotherapist, I integrate SP with anti-oppressive practices, ensuring that the therapeutic work we do together honours the intersecting identities and experiences my clients bring into the space. By recognizing and addressing these intersections, SP becomes not just a tool for healing trauma, but also a means of fostering empowerment and resilience in the face of ongoing systemic oppression. It’s about more than processing past wounds; it’s about cultivating the capacity to thrive in the present, reclaiming one’s body as a site of agency and autonomy, and embodying the changes one seeks.

This certification represents a meaningful step forward—not only in my ability to offer this profound work to my clients but also in my dedication to creating more inclusive and supportive spaces for marginalized therapists and clients. SP has been a transformative force in my own healing journey, and I am honoured to bring this modality to others, guiding them as they navigate their own paths toward empowerment, healing, and self-discovery.

Looking Ahead: Integrating Sensorimotor Psychotherapy with Holistic Healing

As I continue to deepen my practice in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, I am excited to integrate this powerful modality with the other therapeutic approaches I have trained in, including art therapy and EMDR. Each of these modalities brings its own unique strengths to the healing process, and combining them allows me to offer a truly holistic approach that addresses the full spectrum of my clients’ emotional, psychological, and somatic needs.

Art therapy taps into creativity as a pathway to expression, offering clients the opportunity to explore their inner world in a way that transcends words. This modality aligns beautifully with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, as both approaches value non-verbal expression and the body’s wisdom. Together, they create a dynamic space for clients to process complex emotions and trauma through both physical sensation and creative expression.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is another modality that complements SP’s body-centred approach. While EMDR focuses on processing traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation, SP offers the somatic grounding that can help clients stay regulated and connected to their bodies throughout the process. Integrating these modalities creates a more comprehensive framework for trauma work, one that addresses both the cognitive and somatic dimensions of healing.

The path to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy certification has been a deeply rewarding journey—one that has expanded my understanding of how to help clients heal from trauma and reconnect with their bodies in empowering and transformative ways. I am eager to continue sharing these tools with my clients, guiding them in exploring the wisdom their bodies hold and helping them unlock the potential for healing that resides within.

For those interested in learning more about how Sensorimotor Psychotherapy might support your healing journey, I welcome you to reach out. Therapists may book a peer consultation and clients may book an online session. Together, we can explore the ways your body holds your story and work to unlock its potential for healing, growth, radical liberation, and lasting change.

References

Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. W. W. Norton & Company.

Ogden, P., & Fisher, J. (2015). Sensorimotor psychotherapy: Interventions for trauma and attachment. W. W. Norton & Company.

Ogden, P. (2021). The pocket guide to sensorimotor psychotherapy in context. W. W. Norton & Company.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. (2024). Sensorimotor psychotherapy. https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org