How to Explain Somatic Therapy on Your Website
Your potential client doesn't know what somatic therapy is. Here's how to translate your expertise into language that connects and builds trust.
Dit artikel hoort bij: Positioning for Somatic Therapists: The Positioning Guide
Most therapist websites begin with an explanation of their method. But your potential client isn't searching for 'somatic therapy.' They're looking for 'tension that won't go away,' 'restlessness in my body,' or 'talk therapy isn't helping.' In this article, you'll learn how to explain somatic therapy in a way that connects with what your client is truly experiencing.
The Problem: Jargon That Deters
Words like 'polyvagal theory,' 'titration,' and 'autonomic regulation' are everyday terms for you. But for someone considering seeking help, it sounds like a foreign language. The result: they click away. Not because you can't help them, but because they don't understand what you do.
The Solution: Describe the Experience, Not the Method
Instead of writing: 'I work with Somatic Experiencing to regulate the autonomic nervous system,' try: 'Many people who come to me feel chronic tension that won't go away, even after massages or relaxation exercises. Together, we explore what your body is holding and help it release step by step.'
Notice the difference? The first sentence describes your method. The second describes your client's experience. And that is what makes someone click.
How to Structure Your Explanation
Concrete Examples for Your Website
Instead of 'Somatic therapy works with the autonomic nervous system via pendulation and titration,' write: 'In a session, we pay attention to what your body is telling you. Some people feel tension, others warmth, or even a kind of numbness. By calmly attending to this, your nervous system learns to relax again.'
Instead of 'I am trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Hakomi,' write: 'I combine several scientifically-backed approaches. We will discover together which one suits you best.'
The Common Mistake
Many therapists create an FAQ page with questions that they consider important: 'What is the difference between SE and Sensorimotor?' But your client asks different questions: 'Do I have to talk about it?', 'Does it hurt?', 'How long until I notice something?' Answer your client's questions, not those of your colleagues.
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Veelgestelde vragen
Should I remove the term 'somatic therapy' from my website entirely?
No. Keep it for people who are specifically searching and for SEO, but don't lead with it. Start with the experience your client recognizes and only introduce the term as context.
How do I explain my method without oversimplifying?
Describe what the client experiences in a session: attention to the body, space for what arises, together exploring what the nervous system needs. That's not simplification, that's translation.
What if I'm afraid I'm not doing my work justice?
You honor your work precisely by making it accessible. The depth lies not in the words you choose, but in the work itself. Clients only experience that depth once they are in the session.
Bronnen en verdieping
- Bessel van der Kolk: The Body Keeps the ScoreToonaangevend werk over trauma en lichaamswerk.
- Polyvagaal Instituut (Stephen Porges)Wetenschappelijke onderbouwing van zenuwstelselregulatie.
- Somatic Experiencing InternationalHet opleidingsinstituut van Peter Levine.