Somatic Therapy for Autism: A Body-Centered Path to Healing and Self-Connection

Aug 12

Written By A G

How tuning into your body can unlock new pathways to emotional regulation, sensory balance, and authentic self-expression

If you're autistic, you probably know what it's like to feel disconnected—from others, from your environment, and sometimes even from yourself. Maybe you've spent years learning to mask, to blend in, to quiet the parts of you that feel "too much" for the world around you. Maybe your body feels like it's constantly on high alert, or maybe it feels numb and distant.

What if I told you there's a therapeutic approach that doesn't ask you to think your way out of these experiences, but instead invites you to tune into your body as a pathway to healing? Enter somatic therapy—a gentle, body-centered approach that's showing incredible promise for autistic adults.

What Is Somatic Therapy, Really?

Somatic therapy is a therapeutic approach that goes beyond the mind-body connection and moves toward mind-body unity. It's like giving your body a voice in the conversation that's usually dominated by your thoughts. Instead of just talking about your experiences, somatic therapy helps you explore how those experiences live in your body.

Developed by pioneers like Dr. Peter Levine, somatic approaches recognize that trauma and stress aren't just psychological experiences—they're physiological responses that get stored in the body. For autistic people, who often experience the world with heightened intensity and face unique stressors like masking and sensory overwhelm, this body-centered approach can be profoundly healing.

Why Somatic Therapy Makes Sense for Autistic Adults

As an autistic person, you likely experience the world differently—both sensory and emotionally. Your bodies often process experiences differently than those who are neurotypical. Traditional talk therapy, while beneficial, sometimes overlooks this crucial element.

Here's what makes somatic therapy particularly relevant for autistic adults:

Sensory Processing and Regulation

Being neurodivergent often comes with heightened sensory sensitivities. Whether it's the hum of fluorescent lights, the texture of clothing, or the overwhelming sensation of too many people talking at once, the world can feel like it's set on "extra intense."

Somatic therapy doesn't try to eliminate these sensitivities—instead, it helps you develop tools to work with your nervous system rather than against it. By tuning into the body's signals, somatic therapy helps neurodivergent individuals become more attuned to their sensory experiences. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by these sensations, you can learn to navigate them with greater ease.

Emotional Regulation Without Forcing

Many autistic people struggle with emotional regulation—not because there's something wrong with you, but because your nervous system might be working overtime. Through somatic therapy, we help you recognize how emotions show up in your body and create new responses to stress or overstimulation.

This isn't about controlling your emotions or making them smaller. It's about understanding them as information and developing a healthier relationship with your internal landscape.

Beyond the "Just Think Differently" Approach

If you've tried traditional therapy and felt like something was missing, you're not alone. Some clients may instead prefer to process non-verbally, using alternative methods such as sandplay therapy, art therapy, or other models of expression. Somatic therapy offers exactly this—a way to process experiences through the wisdom of your body, not just your thoughts.

How Somatic Therapy Is Modified for Autistic Adults

Good somatic therapy for autistic people isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. Some studies modified the mind–body therapies to increase accessibility for people with ASD. Here's how thoughtful practitioners adapt their approach:

Sensory-Informed Environment

Autistic people often do not habituate to sensory stimuli in the same way neurotypical individuals do. Therefore, it is essential to create a sensory-soothing environment during therapy to minimize additional stress. This might mean:

Dim, adjustable lighting instead of harsh fluorescents
Comfortable seating options (maybe a bean bag or soft blanket)
Control over room temperature and sound levels
Permission to stim, move, or regulate as needed during sessions

Honoring Communication Styles

One approach which can be particularly useful with neurodivergent clients is Somatic Processing; helping clients to develop the skill of Interoception, whereby they can start to recognise the body's internal signals, and translate these messages to certain emotional experiences.

For many autistic people, this might mean:

Using visual aids or metaphors to describe body sensations
Incorporating special interests as bridges to understanding
Allowing processing time without pressure to respond immediately
Offering alternatives to eye contact and face-to-face positioning

Working with Alexithymia

Alexithymia, the difficulty identifying and describing emotions, is more common among Autistic people. Somatic therapy can be particularly helpful here because it offers a pathway to emotional awareness that doesn't rely solely on verbal articulation. Instead of asking "How do you feel?" a somatic approach might explore "What do you notice in your body right now?"

Specific Somatic Techniques for Autistic Adults

Interoceptive Awareness

This involves slowly building awareness of internal body signals—heartbeat, breathing, muscle tension, temperature. For autistic people who might be disconnected from their bodies or overwhelmed by sensations, this is practiced in very gentle, titrated ways.

Grounding and Orienting

Somatic Experiencing® helps calm the nervous system and reduce fight-or-flight responses that can be triggered by sensory overwhelm. Simple techniques like feeling your feet on the ground, noticing what you can see in the room, or gentle movement can help bring your nervous system back to a regulated state.

Pendulation and Titration

These are core concepts from Somatic Experiencing. Pendulation refers to the oscillation between titration and resourcing, or in other words, transitioning between a state of arousal and a state of calm. For autistic people, this might mean noticing when you're getting overwhelmed and gently guiding yourself back to calm, rather than pushing through or shutting down completely.

Movement and Expression

When I work with people we let the body tell the story. We discuss conditions and situations and stay close to the body-sensations that arise. If we let the body learn how to relax, we can get free of the tension and pain. This might include:

Natural stimming as a form of self-regulation
Gentle stretching or yoga-like movements
Dancing or rhythmic movement
Breathing exercises adapted to your comfort level

The Research: What We Know So Far

While research specifically on somatic therapy and autism is still growing, mind–body therapies are often used by people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and a RCT of an autism-adapted mindfulness program showed moderate to large effect sizes for improving anxiety, depression, and rumination in adults with ASD.

Research specifically focused on somatic therapy for autism is still in its early stages, several studies have shown promising results. What we're seeing includes:

Improved body awareness and emotional regulation
Reduced anxiety and stress responses
Better sensory integration and processing
Enhanced ability to self-advocate and communicate needs

What to Expect in Somatic Therapy Sessions

If you're considering somatic therapy, you might be wondering what actually happens. Here's what sessions often include:

Initial Sessions: Lots of getting to know you, your sensory preferences, communication style, and what you're hoping to work on. A good somatic therapist will adapt their approach to your needs, not the other way around.

Building Safety: Before diving into anything intense, you'll spend time creating a sense of safety in your body and in the therapeutic relationship. This might involve finding comfortable positions, identifying what helps you feel grounded, and establishing clear boundaries.

Gentle Exploration: Rather than pushing into difficult experiences, somatic therapy typically works by slowly and gently exploring body sensations, movements, and responses. You're always in control of the pace.

Integration: Sessions often end with time to process and integrate what came up, maybe through movement, drawing, or just sitting quietly.

Connecting the Dots: How This Relates to Other Aspects of Autistic Life

If you've been following along with our other blog posts, you might recognize some connections. In How to Tell If You're Neurodivergent: A Therapist's Guide for Adults, we talked about the exhaustion that comes from masking and trying to fit neurotypical expectations. Somatic therapy offers a space where masking isn't necessary—where you can show up exactly as you are.

And remember our post about Autism and Codependency? Somatic approaches can be particularly helpful in developing a stronger sense of your own boundaries and needs, which is crucial for building healthier relationships.

Even our lighthearted exploration of Why Neurodivergent People Love Cats connects here—cats, like good somatic therapy, don't ask you to be anything other than who you are. They meet you where you're at, honor your need for space and regulation, and offer connection without pressure.

A Note on Trauma

Many autistic adults have experienced trauma—whether from bullying, medical procedures, repeated invalidation, or just the chronic stress of living in a world not designed for your nervous system. PTSD is highly common among Autistic people, with some studies suggesting up to 60% will experience it.

Somatic approaches can be particularly gentle and effective for trauma recovery because they don't require you to verbally process traumatic memories. Instead, they work with your body's natural healing mechanisms to help release trapped stress and trauma energy.

Finding the Right Fit

Not every somatic therapist will be a good fit for autistic clients. Here's what to look for:

Neurodivergent-affirming practice: They should see autism as a neurological difference, not a deficit
Sensory awareness: They understand and accommodate sensory needs
Flexible communication: They can adapt their communication style to yours
Trauma-informed: They understand the higher rates of trauma in autistic populations
Patient and curious: They're willing to learn about your unique experience rather than making assumptions

What About Therapy Hangovers?

Speaking of the healing process, you might be interested in our recent post about Therapy Hangover and Practicing Therapy Self-Care. This is particularly relevant for autistic people because processing experiences through the body can sometimes bring up intense feelings or memories. Having strategies for self-care after sessions is crucial.

Ready to Explore Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy isn't a magic bullet, but it's a powerful tool in the neurodivergent toolbox. It offers a pathway to understanding and managing the unique challenges that can come with things like autism and ADHD, while also celebrating the strengths that these conditions can bring.

If you're curious about how somatic therapy might support your journey as an autistic person, we're here to help. At Sagebrush Counseling, we specialize in neurodivergent-affirming therapy that honors your whole self—mind, body, and spirit.

Take the Next Step

Maybe you're reading this and thinking, "This sounds like exactly what I've been looking for." Or maybe you're thinking, "I'm not sure if this is for me, but I'm curious." Both responses are completely valid.

If you're wondering whether you might be neurodivergent, check out our Free Neurodivergent Quiz to explore common traits and experiences.

Ready to take the next step? Schedule a consultation with one of our neurodivergent-affirming therapists today. We offer both in-person and online sessions, and we're committed to creating a therapeutic space where you can be authentically yourself—no masking required.

Contact Sagebrush Counseling today to begin your journey toward greater self-understanding, emotional regulation, and authentic connection with your body and yourself.

Because you deserve therapy that gets you. Really gets you. And honors the beautiful, complex, perfectly imperfect human you are.

Learn More

Interested in diving deeper into neurodivergent experiences? Check out these related posts:

References

Bölte, S., et al. (2019). The association between somatic health, autism spectrum disorder, and autistic traits. Behavior Genetics, 49(6), 571-580.
Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.
Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books.
Payne, P., Levine, P. A., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015). Somatic experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 93.
Sequeira, S., & Ahmed, M. (2012). Meditation as a potential therapy for autism: A review. Autism Research and Treatment, 2012, 835847.
Spek, A. A., van Ham, N. C., & Nyklíček, I. (2013). Mindfulness-based therapy in adults with an autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34(1), 246-253.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.
Walters, S. (2025). Somatic processing with neurodivergent clients. PESI UK Blog. Retrieved from https://www.pesi.co.uk/blogs/somatic-processing-with-neurodivergent-clients/

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