It was in this article that I first found the body-mind connection legitimized in mainstream psychiatry. This groundbreaking book presents a neurological, theoretical basis for the mind-body connection. Both of these works have laid the foundation for my understanding of the psychophysical, neurobiological relationship between the mind and the body. Bridging the gap between the verbal psychotherapies and the body-psychotherapies means taking the best resources from both, rather than choosing one over the other. Integrated trauma therapy must consider, consist of, and utilize tools for identifying, understanding, and treating trauma's effects on both mind and body.
Language is necessary for both.
The somatic disturbances of trauma require language to make sense of them, comprehend their meaning, extract their message, and resolve their impact. Working with the Body Does Not Require Touch Touching the body and working with the body are not, and need not be, synonymous when it comes to psychotherapy or, for that matter, body-psychotherapy. There are many ways to work with the body, integrating important aspects of muscular, behavioral, and sensory input, without intruding on bodily integrity. There are many reasons not to use touch as a part of psychotherapeutic or body-psychotherapeutic treatment. Aside from the obvious concerns about the possible effect on the transference, there is the question of respect for client boundaries, particularly with clients who have been physically or sexually abused.