Touch & Movement in Trauma Therapy - Linda Curran, Betsy Polatin

Course Overview: Somatic Healing for Trauma – Integrating Touch & Movement

Trauma imprints itself not just on the mind, but deeply within the body and nervous system. Traditional talk therapy, while valuable, often falls short in addressing these physiological manifestations. This transformative course, led by renowned trauma experts Linda Curran and Betsy Polatin, bridges that gap, offering practitioners essential skills to integrate somatic touch and movement interventions into their trauma-informed practice.

You will learn how to gently guide clients to greater body awareness, regulate dysregulated nervous systems, and facilitate the organic release of stored traumatic energy. This is an essential training for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of embodied trauma and enhance their therapeutic effectiveness through practical, evidence-based, body-centered approaches.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Psychotherapists, Counselors, and Clinical Social Workers: Seeking to expand their trauma treatment toolkit.
• Trauma Specialists: Desiring to integrate somatic and body-based modalities into their existing practice.
• Bodyworkers, Yoga Therapists, and Movement Professionals: Interested in understanding the physiological impacts of trauma and how to apply their skills therapeutically.
• Healthcare Professionals: (e.g., nurses, occupational therapists) who encounter individuals with trauma and wish to support their somatic healing.
• Students and Educators: In mental health, somatics, or related fields.

Main Course Content & Key Learnings

This comprehensive training delves into the intricate relationship between trauma, the nervous system, and the body, providing practical applications for immediate use. Key modules and learning outcomes include:

• The Neurobiology of Trauma and the Body: Understand how trauma impacts the brain, nervous system (including Polyvagal Theory), and physical body, leading to dysregulation and survival responses.
• Foundations of Somatic Experiencing & Body-Based Approaches: Learn the principles behind somatic therapy, including titration, pendulation, tracking sensation, and discharge.
• Therapeutic Touch for Trauma Resolution: Develop skills in conscious, ethical, and contained touch interventions to support nervous system regulation, boundary setting, and resource building. Learn how touch can facilitate integration and discharge of traumatic energy.
• Movement as a Healing Modality: Explore various movement-based interventions to help clients access internal resources, release tension, complete thwarted actions, and restore a sense of agency and fluidity in their bodies.
• Attunement and Co-Regulation: Master the art of attuning to clients’ subtle bodily cues and using co-regulation techniques to foster safety and facilitate healing.
• Working with Dissociation and Hyperarousal/Hypoarousal: Practical strategies for addressing common trauma responses through body-based techniques.
• Creating a Safe & Embodied Therapeutic Space: Learn how to establish a container that supports somatic exploration and prevents re-traumatization.
• Integrating Somatic Tools into Clinical Practice: Case examples and practical exercises to apply learned techniques effectively and ethically in various therapeutic settings.
• Self-Care for Practitioners: Strategies for maintaining personal regulation and preventing vicarious trauma when working with body-based approaches.

Instructors

• Linda Curran, PhD, LPC, CPC, NCC: A highly respected expert in the field of trauma and addiction, known for her integrative approach to healing.
• Betsy Polatin, MFA, SEP, CBT: A seasoned movement specialist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, bringing a unique perspective on the body’s innate capacity for healing.

Benefits of Taking This Course

• Expand Your Trauma Toolkit: Gain powerful, body-based techniques to complement traditional talk therapy.
• Deepen Client Healing: Help clients move beyond cognitive understanding to profound, embodied trauma resolution.
• Enhance Nervous System Regulation: Learn practical methods to help clients self-regulate and build resilience.
• Boost Clinical Confidence: Feel more equipped to work with complex trauma presentations.
• Learn from Leading Experts: Benefit from the combined wisdom and experience of Linda Curran and Betsy Polatin.