Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, what it means
Pat Ogden's integration of bodywork and talk therapy.
Dit artikel hoort bij: Somatic Concepts Explained: A Glossary for Therapists
How SP Works
SP uses three levels of processing, cognitive (thoughts and meaning-making), emotional (feelings), and sensorimotor (body sensations and movement impulses). In trauma, the sensorimotor level often remains unprocessed, while cognition and emotion have been built around it. SP explicitly works with this bodily level in sessions.
In Practice
In an SP session, the therapist might ask to complete a movement that was once interrupted, hands that wanted to push, legs that wanted to run. This happens slowly, with attention to what emerges. The work continuously links back to meaning, 'what happens in your thoughts as you make this movement?'
Common Misconception
The misconception is seeing SP as solely bodywork. It is an integrated approach where cognition and emotion are equally welcome. The difference from classic talk therapy is that sensorimotor information is treated as an equal source of insight.
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Veelgestelde vragen
How long does SP training take?
Full certification is a multi-year process with three levels. Many therapists start with Level 1 (trauma) and later deepen into Level 2 (attachment) and Level 3 (integration).
Does SP work for complex trauma?
Yes, Level 2 specifically addresses early attachment patterns typical of complex trauma. SP has strong tools for this type of work.
Difference between SP and SE in one sentence?
SE focuses more strongly on nervous system physiology and titration of trauma activation, SP integrates bodywork more explicitly with cognitive-emotional processing.