Evolving Therapist's Spotlight: Meet Ngina Tobias-Cipolla LCSW, SEP, PPSC
Ngina is a psychotherapist specializing in Somatic therapy, as she shares how therapists can incorporate this therapeutic modality into their practice and why engaging in your own somatic experience matters.
1. What first drew you to Somatic therapy, and how did incorporating body-centered work transform the way you practice?
I was drawn to Somatic therapy as a psychotherapist because I felt that some clients needed more than traditional talk therapy to address their trauma. Somatic therapy was a missing link to approaching to how the mind and body are correlated. In order to address the body, you have to address the somatic experience. I believe that Somatic therapy provides that "missing link" for practitioners who wish to move beyond "top-down" cognitive approaches and engage with a "bottom-up" physiological processes with their clients.
Sessions are sensory-oriented and guided rather than focused on heavy narrative or verbal processing. So, in sessions, I help guide clients through exercises like body scans or sensory exploration to encourage curiosity about physical sensations to help regulate their emotions.
2. How do you explain Somatic therapy to someone who has never heard of it before, in a simple way?
I needed more specialization in addressing emotional regulation with my clients. In 2017, I obtained my training and certification in Somatic therapy from the Somatic Experiencing International Institute. I learned a few important things: you don't have to be licensed to practice the somatic experience, it is important to be certified but not a requirement. To be designated as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), you have to complete the program that includes 200 hours of training, as well as required consultation and personal sessions.
I've also learned through practicing this modality, that many clients respond well when used in therapy when it's explained well and rapport has been built. There's a 'slow burn approach' that needs to happen because what you're asking your clients to do is to be vulnerable. Building rapport with your clients is the first part of starting Somatic therapy. In session, there's minimal talking, a lot of reading of the nervous system for both you and your client, and a sensory and guided experience. As the therapist, you have to assist client in getting comfortable with their body and senses to start tackling what's happening inside. Depending on the clients preferences, I use items, encourage clients to put their hands on their chest or changing body positions to tap into their emotions and nervous system in other ways besides talk therapy.
3. What has been the most rewarding or surprising moments you’ve witnessed when a client has been able to practice techniques of Somatic therapy?
After noticing the benefits of breathwork, movement, and meditation in my own life, I began integrating somatic elements into my clinical work to see how my clients would be able to benefit from it as well. As I mentioned earlier, my clients have responded well when I use it in therapy sessions.
When I see clients plateau with talk therapy and dealing with trauma, I've discussed and introduced somatic elements into sessions, and have seen how it can provide additional tools to help clients improve certain skills and reach their treatment goals.
4. What are some common myth's or misconceptions about somatic work?
I've noticed that many clients think this work is instantaneous, however, it can take a long time to build rapport and for clients to see improvements. At times, building stress tolerance is not always a comfortable process for clients. That's why it's important as a therapist to be patient with guiding your client through this process, as well as encourage your client to be patient with this experience.
Another misconception is that you have to be licensed or certified. Because "somatic" simply means "body," any practitioner who incorporates grounding exercises, breathwork, or guided imagery is able to do somatic work, even if they have not completed the formal somatic experiencing training program.
5. What are some quick, simple somatic grounding practices or exercises that readers can try at home or at their desk?
I can recommend self-soothing body positions, such as placing your hand on your chest or adjusting your posture to open your diaphragm as basic grounding practices. These tools come directly from the body to help the body regulate itself. Another practice would be to do 'discovery work,' where you can utilize what you're already doing to regulate your emotions by connecting to your body.
Grounding practices and exercises are most effective when they are based on your natural preferences. You can identify these preferences using tactile tools like stress balls that can help you focus on what feels "right" to your body without needing to intellectually analyze the reason behind the preference.
6. For therapists who are curious in learning more about Somatic therapy, what are great resources you can recommend?
For those seeking to learn more about the field, I recommend Peter Levine's Waking the Tiger, as well as The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, for understanding of the somatic experiencing. I also recommend that therapists seeking training in Somatic Experiencing visit the Somatic Experiencing Institute website (www.traumahealing.org) or search for Somatic Experiencing on Google. Online communities are a good resource as well, such as with the "Black SE" Facebook group for practitioners specializing in the Black community or looking at the websites of individual practitioners who practice, such as somaticwise.com, although the Institute offers the most comprehensive training.
I currently belong to a somatic experiencing consultation group, and continue to practice moving meditation to make sure I'm practicing what I'm teaching and encouraging my clients to do.
Ngina Tobias-Cipolla LCSW, SEP, PPSC
562-731-0570
Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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