Somatic compassion is not a therapy and none of the contents on this website are intended to train health professionals. We describe simple methods that anyone can use to enhance human connection and healing, using compassionate presence and intuitive forms of touch.
Somatic compassion arose from the collective imagining of many clients and a trauma therapist in New Zealand, Dr Robin Youngson, who uses compassion and touch to help clients heal.
Through the many stories and experiences of clients, he began to notice and understand the extraordinary capacity of human beings to heal themselves when supported by compassionate presence and touch. Hundreds of clients spontaneously healed their trauma when the work became playful and non-directive. It seemed that the healing techniques were less important than the quality of presence and helping to create the ‘magical mind’ in clients, where their creative imagination could transform stories of trauma without any effort or guidance. These experiences are the basis of somatic compassion and the simple methods presented on this website.
The foundation of somatic compassion also includes the extensive neuroscience of compassion and affective touch and how this changes brain function and supports healing. The types of touch used in somatic compassion are very intuitive and natural, such as the way a mother comforts her baby, or we offer empathetic touch to someone distressed, or we stroke the faces of people in intimate relationship. These forms of human touch and connection have evolved over millions of years.
We wanted to develop simple methods that could be use by any ordinary person, for instance a friend, family member, peer supporter, or volunteer. These methods are shared freely and made available at very little cost. These methods do not constitute therapy, there is no training program or certification, and cannot be used to earn money. Read more about our philosophy.
Somatic compassion should not be attempted with any person who has a mental health diagnosis, or is under the care of a psychiatrist. If in doubt, consult your mental health professional.