VFTS 2025-1 | Richard Sims | Somatic Movement Approaches in Psychotherapy

FEATURED GUESTS:  Richard Sims MSME, MSMT, CTP

Richard Sims is a Master Somatic Movement Educator/Movement Therapist, Mindfulness, Embodiment and Body Awareness Educator, Certified Trauma Professional, Aikido Instructor, and Somatic Specialist in the areas of stress, fear, anxiety, pain and trauma. He is currently the Board President for ISMETA (International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association) where he tirelessly works growing the Somatic Movement Profession and its place in the integrative whole person health field. He also sits on the Board of Aiki Extensions.

He teaches adults, children and teens empowering somatic approaches and tools to improve their emotional and physical wellbeing. His trauma informed somatic approach combines the BodyMind connection, as well as our emotions and distress responses with many somatic and mindful methods including Being In Movement® mindbody education, Body Awareness, Breathing, Meditation, Somatic Education, Feldenkrais, Alexander, Trauma Informed Mindfulness, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and the principles of the the martial art of Aikido (The Art of Peace).

He teaches in person and online globally with individuals and groups. Additionally he runs workshops with allied professionals on how they can incorporate somatic approaches into their practice in a complimentary integrative whole person approach to healing. 

Richard also works with organizations, schools, non-profits, first responders and companies, helping with their member's challenges that affect their relationships and performance personally, professionally and academically.

Some of these groups include: MenHealing (a prominent organization for male sexual abuse survivors and their loved ones) along with thought leaders from the psychotherapeutic field, The Cancer Wellness Center, Illinois Schools, Urban Gateways (curriculum through the arts), the State of Illinois (First responder professional and personal connection, de-escalation, stress and trauma), FORGE (Trans Survivors) and the H.O.M.E. Project, supplying electronic and video based resources and information to over a million incarcerated men and women in 47 states.

LISTEN & LEARN: 

• Rich's definition of Somatic Movement approaches to therapy.
• Legal considerations regarding touch as a somatic movement practitioner and why he has elected to practice as an educator. 
• An experiential game designed to highlight the mind and body working together to construct core beliefs and narratives that may keep us stuck. 
• The benefits of training and seeking out consultation or supervision with an experienced mentor if you want to integrate somatic approaches into your practice. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:

• Web: richardesims.com
• Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/richard.sims.5667
• Instagram:richsims_breathing
• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-sims-ab02337/
• Sign up for Richard's list
• Watch one of Rich's favorite exercises designed to help not only calm a racing mind but also a body that may be unable to relax and settle. https://richard-e-sims.kit.com/b79e217651

SESSIONS AT THE SUMMIT:

• May 3rd 2:30-6:30 pm CT he will be teaching on A Somatic Movement Approach for Healing the Effects of Sexual Abuse & Trauma at the Expressive Therapies Summit MIDWEST 2025 at Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Chicago.

OTHER WORKSHOPS:

• https://menhealing.org/somatic-healing-101-2025/
  
  
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