Objectives of Somatic Resiliency

Objectives (Signposts) of Somatic Resiliency

We want to keep in mind that the goals of our therapy are to help our patients have a better quality of life and improved day-to-day functioning. We continue to assess these throughout a patient’s therapy so we remain on track. However, there are objectives we hope our patients reach during the course of therapy. I call them signposts. As we travel on a car trip, we look at the road signs which tell us how we are progressing on our journey. In the same way we can periodically assess with our patients what signposts they have reached. Patients get a lot out of seeing how far they have come and what areas continue to need the most work.

These objectives are:

Recognition that the trauma occurred and that it is “not my fault”

Better regulation of emotions and the autonomic nervous system

Reduction in shame

Decreased dissociation and somatization

Increased ability to trust and to form and maintain healthy relationships

Improved communication skills

Decrease in self-harm, self-destructive, and suicidal behavior

Increased mindfulness and self-awareness

Ability to experience and tolerate a wide variety of emotions

Improved sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy

Ability to experience a sense of aliveness, creativity and joy