Integral Somatic Psychology™ (ISP)
A body-oriented approach focused on integrating emotional experiences and building self-regulation capacity
Sometimes the difficulty isn't in the emotions we experience, but in the fact that they exceed the body's capacity to hold them. When emotional experiences become too intense, the body may respond with tension, withdrawal, disconnection, or a limited ability to stay in contact with our own feelings.
Integral Somatic Psychology™ (ISP) is a body-oriented therapeutic approach that supports the development of the capacity to experience and integrate emotions in a more flexible and balanced way.
By exploring the relationship between body, emotions, and psychological processes, this method works to strengthen self-regulation and build a more authentic relationship with our own inner experience.
Integral Somatic Psychology™ was developed by Dr. Raja Selvam, a clinical psychologist and researcher in body-oriented psychotherapy and trauma.
The method starts from the idea that emotional health depends not only on reducing symptoms, but also on the body's capacity to hold and integrate the full range of emotional experiences.
When faced with difficult events or prolonged periods of stress, the body may unconsciously limit contact with certain emotions to avoid becoming overwhelmed. While this mechanism plays a protective role, over time it can contribute to emotional blocks, a sense of disconnection from one's own body, or difficulty fully experiencing emotions.
Integral Somatic Psychology™ works to gradually build the capacity to stay present with bodily sensations and one's own emotions, so they can be experienced and integrated in a healthy way.
The foundations of this approach are presented by Dr. Raja Selvam in his book *The Practice of Embodying Emotions*, a work dedicated to the relationship between body, emotions, and the therapeutic process.
During sessions, attention is directed toward the present experience, exploring the connection between body, emotions, and psychological processes.
The process may include observing:
- Bodily sensations
- Breathing
- Emotions and how they're experienced in the body
- Resources that support a sense of safety and stability
The goal isn't to avoid or eliminate difficult emotions, but to build the body's capacity to hold and integrate them without becoming overwhelmed.
This approach can be beneficial when you're facing:
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Developmental trauma and difficult relational experiences
- Emotional blocks
- A sense of disconnection from your own body
- Difficulty expressing emotions
- Self-criticism, shame, or guilt
Each therapeutic process is tailored to each person's pace and needs, supporting the development of a safer and more flexible relationship with their own inner experience.
The therapeutic exploration focuses on the relationship between bodily sensations, emotions, and psychological experiences, supporting the development of a greater capacity to stay present with your own experience.
There's no need to relive or describe difficult experiences in detail. The focus is on what can be safely explored and integrated, respecting each person's resources and limits.
Integral Somatic Psychology™ emphasizes building the body's capacity to hold emotional experiences, not just reducing symptoms.
By gradually expanding this capacity, emotions can be experienced with greater presence and flexibility, without becoming overwhelming. This creates the foundation for more stable emotional regulation and a more authentic relationship with yourself.
The approach integrates knowledge from body-oriented psychotherapy, attachment theory, neuroscience, and trauma research, offering a therapeutic framework focused on both healing and building personal resources.
The therapeutic process focuses on gradually building self-regulation capacity and integrating emotional experiences through the body, at a pace tailored to each person.
Throughout the sessions, exploring your inner experience is encouraged in a safe and gradual way, with respect for each person's resources and limits. The goal isn't just to reduce suffering, but also to build a more conscious and flexible relationship with your own body and emotions.
Sessions online and in person (EN, IT, RO)