[libribook.com] Traumatic Scar Tissue Management 1st Edition

Somatoemotional Response
During treatment, traumatic scar clients may display responses that are
containing (e.g. holding of breath, swallowing, tensing) or releasing (tearing up,
sighing, fasciculation, shaking) and the realm of response can span subtle to
intense and overt. In MT this is termed somatoemotional response.
When working with trauma survivors, there is a greater likelihood that emotional
responses occur as intense or overt. It is important for the therapist to be
prepared for such responses and important to develop a comfort level that
supports their ability to navigate client emotional response well. Additional
training, beyond the scope of this book, might be necessary to assist the therapist
with being better able to navigate such situations in a manner that can facilitate
the clients healing process and enhance their health and well-being.
Some basic strategies for navigating emotional responses are provided in Box
7.2.