Visionary Somatics

Understanding trauma, neuroscience, and its application for embodied healing• Presents a comprehensive overview of somatic psychology, from its roots in shamanic healing and early psychoanalysis to neuroscience and trauma research• Explains practical trauma resolution protocols, including the Visionary Somatics Trauma Re-Sequencing Process, with applications for clinicians and individuals• Teaches how to recognize and work with your body’s rhythms, address defensive patterns, and support the integration of traumatic memoriesVisionary Somatics provides a much-needed and comprehensive roadmap for practitioners and individuals seeking to understand the connections between trauma, neurobiology, and healing. In this book, somatic psychologist Brian Tierney reveals how understanding and healing trauma occurs through embodied experience.Locating the roots of somatic psychology in early shamanic traditions and the work of Wilhelm Reich, Tierney presents the theory as well as the practice of body-oriented healing. He details the limitations of current trauma discourse and outlines the challenges posed by hyper-specialization in clinical and academic settings. He then explores a wide range of somatic modalities—including osteopathy and somatic experiencing—as well as dance, family constellations, myofascial release, and active imagination. He also describes how trauma is encoded in the nervous system and how somatic practices can support healing and integration.Practical protocols for trauma resolution are provided, including the Visionary Somatics Trauma Re-Sequencing Process, which integrates contemporary neuroscience with accessible therapeutic techniques. Tierney emphasizes the importance of imagination and collaboration in the healing process and shows how to recognize and work with your body’s rhythms, address defensive patterns, and support the integration of traumatic memories. Tierney’s integrative approach will equip readers with practical tools for fostering embodied resilience and meaningful transformation.