The Integration of Somatic Therapies for the Treatment of Couples who have Experienced Childhood Trauma
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Authors
Ennis, Brittany
Issue Date
2025-07-04
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
couples counselling , somatic therapy , somatic therapy for couples , trauma informed couples counselling , childhood trauma , bottom-up processing , Gottman method , emotionally focused therapy , polyvagal theory
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone specifically examines how integrating somatic therapies into couples counselling may improve relational satisfaction, trust, and communication for partners with a history of childhood trauma. The central research question guiding this inquiry is: How does the integration of somatic therapy into traditional couples counselling impact these relational outcomes? While conventional therapeutic approaches such as the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) offer valuable tools for improving relational dynamics, they often emphasize cognitive and emotional processing without adequately addressing the embodied effects of trauma. Emerging research supports the use of somatic, or bottom-up, interventions as a critical complement to traditional talk-based therapy, particularly for individuals with trauma histories who may experience physiological dysregulation, dissociation, or difficulty accessing emotion through language alone. Through a systematic literature review, this paper synthesizes current findings on the benefits of incorporating somatic techniques, such as breathwork, grounding, and body-based psychoeducation into couples therapy. It also outlines how somatic interventions can enhance emotional attunement, co-regulation, and relational safety between partners. The findings reveal a growing consensus on the value of holistic, trauma-informed frameworks that engage both the body and mind. However, the integration of somatic practices remains underutilized in mainstream couples counselling, and further empirical and longitudinal research is needed to establish best practices and training guidelines. This thesis argues for a more embodied, integrative approach to trauma-informed couples counselling and highlights its potential to support healing, trust, and connection in intimate relationships.
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Citation
Publisher
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
openAccess
openAccess