From Self to Group to Community: Integrating Developmental and Multilevel Approaches in Somatic Therapy
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: : This article introduces a multilevel therapeutic framework for trauma healing, integrating Stephen Porges’s polyvagal theory with principles from somatic psychology and from developmental, evolutionary, and contemplative sciences. We emphasize the often-overlooked role of interpersonal relationships in nervous system regulation, addressing these relational dimensions across individual, dyadic, group, and community levels. As a case study, we present the Relational Embodiment two-week residency program, illustrating how somatic and relational practices enhance self-regulation and coregulation, in turn demonstrating the potential of relational embodiment in therapeutic settings. We discuss limitations and propose future directions to fill gaps in current therapeutic practices where relational dynamics are often overlooked.
Source: Group
Authors: Boaz Feldman, Liubov Tupikina, Marc Santolini
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4411245832