Somatic Psychotherapist and Practitioner Proficiency Guidelines

The United States Association for Body Psychotherapy (USABP), in collaboration
with the Alliance for Somatic Educators, has identified core competencies that
support professional proficiency in applying somatic psychology to client care.
Practitioners understand and can integrate the following knowledge, skills, and
practices in measurable, observable, and assessable ways.

The USABP is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to developing and
advancing the science, art, and practice of somatic therapy.
The USABP is not a regulatory organization.

The USABP Alliance of Somatic Educators delivers the education needed
to become a proficient somatic psychotherapist or practitioner.

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Integrative Foundations

·    Theoretical Foundations. Knowledge of somatic psychology‘s key concepts and principles and how they are integrated into everyday therapy practice. Learn more: https://usabp.org/About-Body-Psychotherapy-and-Somatic-Psychology.

·    Psychophysiology. Knowledge of the psychological and physiological processes underlying behavioral, emotional, and mental states. Ability to assess and address somatic symptoms in the context of developmental stages, attachment patterns, capacity for connection and well-being.

·    Biopsychosocial growth. Knowledge and capacity to support individuals, couples, families, and groups within their social ecosystems.

·    Self- Development. On-going self-cultivation through body-mind practices to understand one’s own somatic and psychological issues.

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Essential Skills

·    Legal and Ethical Practices. Adherence to the USABP Code of Ethics, particularly regarding transference, boundaries, and physical touch, which are central to somatic practices.

·    Client-Centered Approach. Skills in creating a therapeutic environment that prioritizes client trust, comfort, and agency. Proficiency in creating a safe, supportive, and consensual environment for somatic exploration.

·    Multi-Cultural Competence. Awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural context of clients’ bodily experiences and expressions. Capacity to support individuals, couples, families, and groups within their social ecosystems.

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Scope of Somatic Competencies

·    Assessment and Case Conceptualization. Competence in assessing the level of care, evaluating the effectiveness of somatic interventions, and adjusting treatment plans accordingly.

·    Observation and Interpretation Skills. Skills in cultivating client/practitioner resonance, and observing, interpreting, and articulating non-verbal cues and body language associated with biopsychosocial processes.

·    Body Awareness. Ability to recognize, track, and understand bodily processes and their meanings. Practitioners must develop skills in body awareness techniques and the ability to teach these techniques to clients, taking a collaborative approach.

·    Somatic Interventions. Proficiency in using techniques involving breath, vocalization, contact, movement, attention, and stillness to support body-mind expression, integration, and health. Ability to expand on these skills and relationally incorporate them in groups, communities, and organizations.

·    Trauma-Informed Care. Understanding the impact of trauma on the body-mind and employing trauma-informed techniques to address it safely.

·    Integrating Somatic Practices with other therapeutic models of treatment and healing.

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