Somatic Intimacy is an emerging field that’s gaining attention as a therapeutic modality, and in this article we’ll explore what it’s all about.
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In its core meaning one could say that Somatic Intimacy is about intimate, affectionate, sensual (sensory) and consciously aware touch and bodily contact (i.e. somatic contact) with/through oneself or with/through another person (or persons) in ways that feel good, close, and safe, and which enhance having a meaningful connection and relationship with oneself or with others.
Somatic Intimacy may refer to physical erotic and/or sexual contact, but that’s certainly not necessarily the case. It’s perhaps more often about non-sexual, non-erotic bodily contact in ways that promote emotional bonding, self-awareness, self-knowledge, self-love, self-esteem, grounding, emotional and trauma release, or (sensual) pleasure (in life).
The principal idea behind Somatic Intimacy is that having intimate and gentle bodily contact can be a form of emotional healing, one that utilizes the body as a means (or channel) to come to stress, anxiety, emotional and trauma release. In fact, those who professionally practice Somatic Intimacy believe that emotional or trauma healing should always include working with the body and not only working with the mind, and that our mental and physical states are deeply connected.
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Somatic Intimacy practices are obviously rooted in Body Armoring and Body De-Armoring theory such as developed by the psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich. Its fundamental belief is that our bodies physically store and reflect emotions or feelings that are neglected, suppressed or repressed and subsequently negatively influence our mental/emotional wellbeing, and that conscious body awareness can give us access to those emotions and an opportunity to digest and release them.
Practices that are typically associated with Somatic Intimacy include lovemaking, kissing, holding hands, embracing, whole-body exploration (which may or may not include the genitals), caressing, gentle touch, and/or cuddling.
Somatic Intimacy may also be provided as a professional service, which can include practices such as Cuddle Sessions, Surrogate Partner Therapy, Belly2Belly Trauma Healing, or Genital Mapping, to give some examples. Somatic Intimacy may also be part of broader Somatic Therapy treatment modalities such as Somatic Experiencing, Somatic Sex Coaching, Breathwork, NeuroAffective Touch, or Hakomi Bodywork.
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