113. How Can Somatic Approaches Transform Your Healing Journey from Anxiety and Trauma?

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Mar 24, 2025

Join Britt Piper, author of 'Body First Healing' and expert in somatic experiencing, as she unveils the secrets of physical awareness in healing anxiety and trauma. She discusses how the nervous system shapes our emotional lives and the concept of 'functional freeze' that complicates relationships. Dive into the transformative power of interoception and learn the importance of choosing safety and embracing discomfort for true healing. Britt also shares her personal journey and practical tools for reconnecting with your authentic self.

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INSIGHT

Anxiety as Separation

Anxiety originates from a disconnection between our adult self, child self, mind, and body.
Healing requires rejoining these parts to overcome just coping and move toward true healing.

INSIGHT

Body Speaks Over Words

Your emotional brain speaks the body's language, not words.
Cognitive therapies without somatic foundation fail to heal because emotions must be felt in the body.

INSIGHT

Triggers Cause Emotional Age Regression

Anxiety triggers bring us into emotional age regressions where we feel as vulnerable as children.
This creates loops of disconnection and misunderstanding in adult relationships.

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Welcome back everyone!

In this episode of Anxiety Rx Podcast, I sit down with the wonderful Britt Piper to dive into the fascinating world of somatic healing—aka, how to get out of your head and into your body to truly heal anxiety and trauma.

We get into why your nervous system is running the show, how functional freeze can throw a wrench into your relationships, and why interoception (aka tuning into your body’s signals) is a total game-changer for emotional awareness.

Britt also shares her journey of writing Body First Healing and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way. We talk about choice, inner child work, and pendulation (don’t worry, I explain it!)—all essential tools for creating safety in your body.

And ultimately, we explore how learning to live with pain (instead of constantly trying to escape it) is the key to finding your most authentic, unburdened self.

Trust me, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd

PS. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4500+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below:
https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX

To dive deeper into Britt’s work, here’s where you can find her:
Her book: https://www.bodyfirsthealing.com/
Instagram @healwithbritt
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to Somatic Healing
01:04 The Journey of Writing 'Body First Healing'
02:57 Understanding the Nervous System and Trauma
05:44 The Impact of Anxiety on Relationships
09:55 Functional Freeze and Emotional Disconnection
12:32 Navigating the Nervous System Ladder
14:09 The Cycle of Anxiety and Overthinking
17:00 Building Capacity to Feel Emotions
20:38 Pendulation: Moving Through Emotions
23:03 Reparenting the Inner Child
26:31 Trusting the Body's Wisdom
30:21 Somatic Experiencing: A New Choice for Healing
33:31 Building a Foundation of Safety
36:53 The Journey of Nervous System Regulation
41:41 Navigating Trauma and Resilience
47:42 Learning to Live with Pain
55:20 Pendulation: Balancing Activation and Safety