SOMATIC RECLAMATION

In Resources by Emily Waymire

Somatic Reclamation is a Unique Method of Trauma Deactivation

Somatic Reclamation gives you an immediately accessible formula, based on caring connection with others, to offload accumulated wounds. You will receive this session structure below.

The formula is uniquely simple. Yet the effects change lives. Because it is also a way of viewing reality.

By creating a secure frame (a safe container you should have had with your mother), your body will begin to deactivate old hurts through specific spontaneous movements.

These spontaneous natural movements are seen universally in animals, including infants and people of all ages.

As you deactivate painful memories your brain will repattern and naturally turn its attention to both present time and flexible solutions.

Somatic Reclamation has two sides: the Listener and Client. The Listener holds the very special role of providing somatic cues with authentic care. And the Client learns how to use this care to offload wounds and strategies.

It is by taking equal part in both these roles that your body and brain repattern and you find yourself less stressed, less pulled on by the past, more flexible, resilient and available to the present moment…and then actualizing your purpose.

This necessary training has somehow eluded even somatic therapists. And it certainly is not found in any mainstream methods. Yet it is crucial. 

Why It Is Essential

We are oriented through only one precious focal point: our body. And it is our exquisitely sentient nervous system that regulates how we actually experience reality. The same external reality can be either hell or heaven depending on our brain and nervous system.

All therapies are received, rejected or integrated based on how secure your body feels. 

Your body, and nothing else, has the final say.

I therefore give this method to all my clients and students and include it as the foundation in trainings.

This Unique Approach Is Not JUST Somatic

It is a combination of attachment therapy, life review and resolution, brain repatterning, somatic cues and nervous system activation AS WELL AS actual real live closeness with Listening Partners. These partnerships are precious and can last a lifetime. Because it is so unique and seeks to meet the wholeness of our humanity, I have known many somatic therapists who also do this work, personally. This method teaches us to not just be allies but be truly connected, as we were always meant to be.

Who Can Use It

All therapists, trainers, healers, somatic therapists, physical therapists, health care practitioners, parents, teachers, children, teens and young adults, change-makers, social activists, leaders and anyone wanting to deactivate trauma and reclaim their wholeness.

This method is accessible to anyone. And should be used widely.

All you need to do is ask someone to do this with you and follow the structure I’m about to give you…

The Somatic Reclamation Structure

Somatic Reclamation (SR) can be offered in numerous ways. It can be given one way or in pairs. It can be done in large or small groups. It can be done as a parent or as anyone listening to someone else such as a teacher, caregiver, therapist or leader. It can be used by trainers or therapists as a structure to support their students, as I have done for most of my practice.

The most common format is Listening Partnerships (LP’s).

Do not stray from this structure. I can’t express this enough. The session structure has been tested by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world.

An important note on the origin of the session structure:

Somatic Reclamation and how it is being taught is the first of its kind. However the session structure alone has a long history. I am very grateful to the explorers and brilliant teachers who come before me in this method. In the United States in the 1950’s Harvey Jackins was the spokesperson for a large cohort of people that all collected information about the session structure. Like all teachers Harvey had MANY influences. But his super power was gathering so many people to report their findings to him. As the method grew it spread worldwide, and it was possible to see the universal nature of using this specific session structure for benefit. Leaders were encouraged to take the structure out into the world and apply it to any and all places they could possibly find to serve. This is what I have done.

Patty Wipler was another important teacher of mine who focuses on the use of this work with parents. Leaders may take on areas such as disability, racism, classism, Jewish people, artists…the list goes on. For me the area I lead is people in the helping professions including parents.

I first used this method entirely for my own healing and a greater perception of the world and how oppression affects us all. I taught it individually to anyone who would listen! Then I began teaching it to parents. Then all my clients.

And that is how over the years Somatic Reclamation was created: by teaching my clients how to use this in between the sessions we were doing and tracking the results.

SR is now a very different method than the original approach in the 50’s! But the session structure, as well as the basic view point, is the same.

As we progress past SR to VAST you will use SR continuously. VAST moves into very different work past SR.

With that in mind I will say it again, do not stray. You will be tempted to. Like every Gate of the VAST Methodology this will seem far too simplistic to be this potent. And your ego will want to change this format. And you will have then successfully bypassed the good work ahead of you.

Listening Partnership Set Up

Session times:

  1. Set the date. Have these set at regular times if possible. Our psyche and nervous system responds very well to having secure and reliable frameworks. If you set your LP’s at the same time each week you will notice you get much more out of them then if you do it randomly.
  2. You and your Listening Partner (LP) will decide on how long (45-60 minutes each), and divide the time equally. Pick who goes first. Whoever is feeling more stressed gets listened to first. In this way each person gets a better session. Then you will switch who goes first each week.
  3. The Listener keeps the time.

I STRONGLY recommend you do 45-60 minutes each way. The Secure Frame and trust is created over time. And if sessions are too short the process doesn’t work well (esp in the beginning).

Do weekly sessions, at a minimum, while learning.

If too many events pile up over time it will be hard to stay in tune with each other as well as know where to focus. You’ll end up working on surface issues.

You can use Zoom or simply the phone. If you can get together physically then great!

Do your sessions in a pleasant, uninterrupted space. Turn your phone ringer off! Treat this exactly as though they are sitting right in front of you. This is especially important on zoom!

Don’t use psychoactive substances before a session. Discharge while under the influence of substances that numb feelings doesn’t last. This can include caffeine.

Bring: Tissues, a timer, water. Pillows and a towel can be useful.

Each Session Follows This Structure

  1. What’s going well
  2. What’s on top
  3. Key issue
  4. Present time
  5. Appreciations

The listener starts the timer.

  1. What’s going well: The client says a couple of good things. This is quick. This establishes that you are in the present time and the basic reality of the universe is good!
  2. What’s on top: Typically, the client needs to do some mental sorting and get daily stresses out of the way. This way they can decide where they want to focus. More experienced clients will skip this.
  3. Key Issue: The client works on the issue they have raised.
  4. Present time: It’s good to give a 3-5 minute warning before the timer goes off, depending on how heavy the content is. The Listener brings the client’s attention off from the issue onto present time. As long as your client’s attention is alert for listening to you or making it home.
    • What are you looking forward to?
    • Name 3 birds and 3 reptiles.
    • What’s a pleasant memory having to do with _____?
    • What are some of your favorite foods, places, etc.?
    • Make a sentence from the letters of the word “_____”.
    • Name 7 blue things you see.

5. Appreciations: It is very important to appreciate each other, especially in the beginning when it can feel awkward and vulnerable. Let each other know 2 things you liked about their listening and about them in general (not about the content of their session). 

SR Workbook: Fill this out when it is still fresh in mind. You can even do this quietly together after the session.

NOTE: Some people find that stating the Reality List is really helpful before starting the sessions. Feel free to use this as a technique for creating a secure frame.

Objective Reality List

  • You and I are completely good and always have been
  • You and I are highly intelligent and capable of finding many solutions to life’s challenges
  • You and I are co-operative and flexible
  • You and I are loving and lovable
  • You and I are passionate about all of life
  • You and I have the agency to move our attention