Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Complex Trauma

Content Description: 

Session 1: This session gives an introduction to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) and working with complex trauma. Emphasis will be placed on the embodied understanding of trauma, the role of the body as a primary entry point for therapeutic intervention, and the integration of cognitive, emotional, and somatic processes. Participants will explore how structural dissociation manifests somatically and how mindfulness can support the safe observation and regulation of dissociative parts. Through theoretical discussion and experiential exploration, this session establishes a framework for understanding the divided mind and body in the treatment of complex trauma. 

Session 2: This session deepens the exploration of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy by focusing on the embodied mapping of dissociative parts and the cultivation of somatic safety in clinical practice. Participants will learn how to identify and track the physical correlates of parts, understand their characteristic arousal patterns, and support communication between parts through movement, posture, and mindful awareness. The session also addresses the therapist’s embodied stance and attitudes toward the body, emphasizing the need for sensitivity, containment, and titration in somatic work with complex trauma. By integrating theoretical knowledge with experiential approaches, participants will develop greater competence in fostering safety and connection within the body. 

Course Agenda

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Complex Trauma

with Pat Ogden, PhD

Live Online Zoom Session 1 – Embodied Understanding – Introducing Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Complex Trauma – Friday, November 7th -8-9:30am PST/11am-12:30pm EST/4-5:30pm GMT

In this session, participants will examine the foundations of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and its relevance in treating clients with complex trauma. The focus will be on understanding how trauma is held and expressed through the body, the challenges of somatic work with dissociative clients, and the therapeutic use of mindfulness to track and regulate bodily responses. Discussion will include the concept of structural dissociation and the importance of fostering collaboration between dissociative parts to facilitate integration and stability.  

Session Agenda (90 minutes total):  

• Introduction to Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: Theory and Origins – Understanding the integration of cognitive, emotional, and somatic dimensions in trauma treatment. (10 minutes) 

• Defining Complex Trauma and Its Somatic Manifestations – Exploring the developmental, relational, and neurobiological dimensions of complex trauma. (10 minutes)  

• Challenges in Working Somatically with Dissociative Clients – Identifying common barriers and therapist misconceptions related to body-based interventions. (10 minutes) 

• Structural Dissociation and Somatic Expression of Parts – Examining how dissociative parts manifest in postures, gestures, movements, and autonomic patterns. (15 minutes)  

• The Role of Mindfulness in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy – Using directed mindfulness to promote self-observation, regulation, and communication between parts. (15 minutes)  

• Reflection and Q&A; – Integrative discussion linking theory and clinical practice. (30 minutes) 

Live Online Zoom Session 2 – Mapping Parts and Fostering Somatic Safety in Complex Trauma – Friday, November 21st – 8-9:30am PST/11-12:30pm EST/4-5:30 GMT

Overview: In this session, participants will move from understanding the theory of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to applying it in the therapeutic relationship. Through the lens of structural dissociation, participants will learn to map parts of the self through bodily expression and arousal regulation. Emphasis will be placed on the principles of titration, safety, and mindful pacing to prevent overwhelm. Clinical strategies will include using posture, gesture, and self-touch to enhance communication between parts and promote integration. The session concludes with a reflective exploration of the therapist’s own relationship to the body as an instrument of awareness and regulation.  

Session Agenda (90 minutes total):  

• Mapping Parts of the Self Through the Body – Recognizing how dissociative parts express themselves through posture, gesture, and somatic states. (10 minutes)  

• Arousal Patterns and the Window of Tolerance – Understanding how each part of the self has characteristic arousal tendencies and how to work at the edges of the client’s tolerance window. (10 minutes)  

• Fostering Safety to Sense the Body – Introducing titration strategies to help clients safely increase somatic awareness and control over physical interventions. (10 minutes)  

• Facilitating Somatic Communication Between Parts – Using movement, gesture, and mindful experimentation to create dialogue and mutual awareness among parts. (10 minutes) 

• The Use of Self-Touch and Somatic Resourcing – Exploring how intentional self-contact supports integration, emotional regulation, and a sense of agency. (10 minutes)  

• The Therapist’s Attitude Toward the Body – Reflecting on the therapist’s own beliefs and embodied presence in somatic work. (10 minutes) 

•  Reflection and Q&A; – Integrative discussion linking theory, clinical application, and personal reflection. (30 minutes) 

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Complex Trauma
with Pat Ogden, PhD

Learning Objectives

Session 1: Embodied Understanding – Introducing Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Complex Trauma

1. Identify what distinguishes Sensorimotor Psychotherapy from traditional cognitive or emotion-focused trauma therapies.  
2. Describe two or more ways in which structural dissociation presents through somatic indicators such as posture, movement, or autonomic arousal.  
3. Apply at least two mindfulness-based strategies to help clients observe and regulate bodily responses associated with dissociative parts. 
   
   

Session 2: Embodied Integration – Mapping Parts and Fostering Somatic Safety in Complex Trauma

1. Identify at least three physical or behavioural indicators that reveal the activation of dissociative parts within the body.  
2. Demonstrate two or more clinical strategies for fostering somatic safety and titration in clients with complex trauma.  
3. Apply at least two body-based interventions (e.g., gesture, posture, or self-touch) to facilitate communication and integration between dissociative parts. 

For Intermediate mental health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, LPCs, and LMFTs.

Continuing Education

This program offers limited Live CEs/Contact Hours.

Continuing education credit/Contact hours are awarded on a per-session basis, with full attendance required for the entire 90-minute duration.  There is no additional charge for the CEs.  Application forms and other required CE materials will be available to participants by the Academy of Therapy Wisdom.

NOTE:  To receive continuing education credit, applicants must complete all CE materials, comply with attendance regulations, and submit an evaluation form for the session attended.  It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine if CE credit/contact hours offered by Academy of Therapy Wisdom meet the regulations of their state licensing/certification board.  

Psychology:  This course does NOT provide CEs for Psychologists.

Counseling:

Academy of Therapy Wisdom has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7370. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Academy of Therapy Wisdom is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.  This program is approved for 1.5 CE Credit Hours for each live session for a possible total of 3 CE Credit Hours.

NY State Social Workers: Academy of Therapy Wisdom is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Workers as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. #SW-0814.

NY State Mental Health Counselors: Academy of Therapy Wisdom is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0285.

Marriage/Family Therapy: See below for CAMFT information.

This course is $87 per month or $684/year. You can purchase it here.