It’s Not Just in Your Head (It’s in Your Shoulders Too): Why Your Body Might Be Trying to Say What Your Mouth Can’t
You know that feeling when your brain says, “I’m fine” — but your shoulders are up to your ears, your jaw’s clenched like you’re training for the Stress Olympics, and your stomach is doing somersaults for no apparent reason?
Yeah. That’s your body calling BS.
So often in therapy, people want to talk about their anxiety — which makes total sense. We’re taught to use words to understand, fix, and “figure it out.” But here’s the catch:
Your body knew you were anxious before your brain ever caught on.
Why the Body Speaks First
Your nervous system is constantly scanning your environment for signs of safety or danger. This is called neuroception — and it happens below conscious awareness.
Which means:
You might walk into a room and suddenly feel on edge… without knowing why.
Or you might be “relaxing” but feel like you can’t sit still.
Or you’re having a seemingly normal conversation and boom — your chest tightens and your breath gets shallow.
Your body is wise. It stores memories, alerts you to patterns, and sometimes holds onto things long after your mind has “moved on.”
It’s Not All Trauma — But It Is Information
Not everything stored in the body is deep trauma (though sometimes it is).
Sometimes it’s just years of tension, bracing, or pushing through.
When we ignore those signals, they don’t disappear — they just get louder.
That’s why in therapy with me, we don’t just talk about your stress.
We listen to it — especially where it lives in your body.
What It Looks Like to Work with a Somatically-Informed Therapist
When you work with someone trained to track what’s happening beneath the surface — not just in your thoughts, but in your body and energy — you start to uncover a whole new language of healing.
Together, we might:
Gently notice what your body is saying as you share your story
Explore grounding and regulation tools to help your nervous system feel safe again
Use simple breathwork or movement to shift stuck emotional energy
Learn to recognize and trust the intuitive nudges your body is sending you
No pressure, no forced vulnerability — just spacious, supportive curiosity.
You get to stay in the driver’s seat as we follow your body’s cues back to calm, clarity, and (surprise!) your deeper self.
You’re Not “Too Sensitive” — You’re Highly Informed
If you’ve ever been told you’re too sensitive, too emotional, or too much…
There’s a good chance you’ve learned to override your body’s signals just to get by.
Let’s change that.
Because sensitivity isn’t a flaw — it’s feedback.
And when we learn how to listen to it instead of shame it, we get access to something powerful: clarity, calm, and choice.
Want to Explore This Together?
I work with thoughtful, intuitive adults who are ready to stop muscling through life and start living in alignment with their whole selves — mind, body, and (whether you know it or not) spirit.
If you’re curious about working together, you can [book a consult here].
And if you’d like more posts like this, [join the newsletter here].
— Anna Long, LCSW
