Posted by antigua3 on December 5, 2007, at 6:25:42
In reply to Re: Somatic Experiencing, posted by Wittgenstein on December 5, 2007, at 5:48:57
That's a really great start; you should be proud. As Daisy said, the feelings are stored in our body and by concentrating on where you feel them, your T can help you. Pre-verbally is tough, I know, because I have those feelings too, but even being able to write about them third person is a start. Since they are pre-verbal, you just have to go with the feelings themselves, which is a truly difficult thing to do. You don't have to necessarily "figure them all out," but by letting them go, you will discover the amount of energy that is freed up to let you concentrate on other things.
We all feel them in different parts of the body and knowing where that is is a huge beginning. Touch doesn't have to be a part of it--it isn't for me because I don't like to be touched during the times I'm opening up about the feelings.
Free association can help--just saying whatever comes into your mind when you describe the feelings, no matter how awful or stupid you may think those things are. A good T can pick up on this and help you find words to express how you're feeling. (I don't mean to imply that your free association thoughts ARE stupid; it's just sometimes we don't know what's important and the littlest thing or word can open things up.)
I've been working on this a long time, and it's tough, but you're making progress.
best of luck to you,
antigua
poster:antigua3
thread:798687
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20071204/msgs/798876.html