Sentient Somatic Integration Therapy (SSI)
Attention to sensation engages the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, in particular the vagus nerve system that connects the brain with organs and supports regulation of heart rate, breathing, and gentle rest functions. The work promotes shifts in vagal activity that help reduce stress hormone release and slow the body’s stress response, creating a safer internal environment to remain present in the body and learn from its signals. In this way the body’s communication system becomes a resource for trust and regulation rather than alarm.
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During a session of Sentient Somatic Integration Therapy you open an energetic field and create a safe, regulated space for the body to speak. Hands on and attentive presence support progressive relaxation while the client is guided to bring awareness to felt sensation in the body. The approach is collaborative: the client identifies what they notice and speaks it aloud, and the process follows what the body has to share in order to find resolution and safety.
