When the Body Speaks: A Somatic Breakthrough in Session
Not every session unfolds the way we plan—and that’s a good thing. Some of the most powerful sessions I’ve witnessed came with an unexpected twist. Not every session unfolds the way we plan—and that’s a good thing. One client, who rarely visualizes and processes mostly through sensation and intuitive knowing, reported seeing “only white.” But her body had a completely different story to tell.
Healing Doesn’t Always Arrive in Pictures
I want to talk to you about a client I worked with recently—because what happened in that session reminded me of what’s really possible when we give the body space to lead.
This particular client doesn’t usually see much imagery during our journeys. No grand visuals or scenes—just a strong internal sense of feeling, knowing, and body-based awareness. She came in with the intention to release fear and limiting beliefs around her health and her ability to heal through holistic methods.
As we dropped into the IDT session, she described the experience as peaceful. Quiet. Full of white light. Nothing else was coming through visually—and honestly, that’s normal for her. But then, something shifted.
Her Body Took Over
Without any prompting or suggestion, her legs began to tremble. Then her whole body followed. She described it as a wave of energy moving through her from head to toe. It was spontaneous and powerful—and completely led by her body.
She wasn’t scared. Just surprised. And so was I.
This wasn’t a breakdown. It was her body speaking in its own language. And in that moment, I knew my role wasn’t to guide or interpret—it was simply to hold space.
I stayed steady. Reminded her she was safe. Kept bringing us back to the breath. I even said, “This is like dancing—like something that’s been stuck is finally moving.” I told her it was like a pressure valve releasing decades of stored-up energy. And that’s exactly how it felt.
Choosing to End Gently
We wrapped up the session earlier than usual. Not because she couldn’t handle more, but because I didn’t want to rush integration. The release had already done so much. It felt right to close with calm, grounding, and space to reflect.
Could we have gone deeper? Maybe. But I stand by the decision to end where we did. Containment matters just as much as depth.
What This Session Reminded Me
Somatic breakthroughs are real—and they don’t always look dramatic.
This wasn’t an imagery-rich journey. It was subtle, quiet, body-led. And it was still deeply transformative. Healing doesn’t always announce itself with visions. Sometimes it moves quietly through sensation.
Not all clients process through story.
For kinesthetic clients, the body is the storyteller. Movement, energy, or deep internal shifts may come before any conscious insight. And that’s valid. We don’t need to translate it—we just need to listen.
Holding space means knowing when to move forward—and when to pause.
My role isn’t always to guide deeper. Sometimes it’s to stay present, grounded, and responsive to what’s unfolding. In this case, slowing down and making space for integration felt more supportive than continuing. It’s not about doing more—it’s about honoring what’s already happening.
Anchoring helps bring it home.
We ended with breath work and reenforcing her anchor with a simple hand-on-heart gesture, paired with the image of white light she’d experienced. It gave her something to carry with her—a cue to reconnect with that sense of calm, anytime she needs it.
Final Thoughts
This session didn’t surprise me because it was dramatic—it moved me because it was honest. Real. The kind of release that only happens when someone feels deeply safe, held, and ready.
It reminded me that the body doesn't need permission to heal.
It just needs a safe space to do what it already knows how to do.
You don’t have to force healing.
You just have to hold the space where healing feels welcome.