Trauma lives in the body as well as the mind. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy helps you notice and gently work with the physical patterns that keep you stuck, so healing can happen from the ground up.

You may understand what happened to you and still feel your heart race, your shoulders tense, or your mind go blank when something reminds you of it. That isn’t a failure of willpower. It’s your nervous system doing what it learned to do to keep you safe. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) works directly with those responses, helping your body learn that the danger has passed.

At Road to Healing Counseling, Dr. Najmeh Hourmanesh, PhD, Licensed Psychologist, offers Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in person at our Millcreek office and by secure video for clients anywhere in Utah. Sessions are available in English and Farsi.

What is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a body-oriented approach to treating trauma and attachment wounds, developed by Dr. Pat Ogden and taught through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. It blends traditional talk therapy with mindful attention to the body: sensations, posture, gestures, breathing, and movement.

Most talk therapy works “top down,” starting with thoughts and insight. SP also works “bottom up,” starting with what the body is doing in the moment. By slowing down and becoming curious about these signals, you can complete protective responses that were cut short, build new physical resources, and change the way past experiences show up in the present.

Why the Body Matters in Trauma Recovery

When we face danger, the body reacts before the thinking brain has time to weigh in: fight, flight, freeze, or collapse. After trauma, those reactions can get stuck on, showing up long after the threat is gone. Common signs include:

• Feeling on edge, jumpy, or unable to relax
• Numbness, shutting down, or feeling disconnected from your body
• Chronic tension, a tight chest or stomach, or shallow breathing
• Strong reactions that seem out of proportion to the situation
• Knowing you are safe but not feeling safe

SP helps widen your “window of tolerance,” the zone where you can feel your emotions without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down. Over time, the body learns new responses, and daily life starts to feel more manageable.

What a Session Looks Like

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is collaborative and paced to you. A session usually includes conversation, with moments where Dr. Hourmanesh invites you to pause and notice what is happening in your body.

• Building resources first. Before approaching difficult material, we identify what helps you feel grounded, such as your breath, your feet on the floor, or a posture that brings strength.
• Mindful noticing. You may be asked to describe a sensation, a change in posture, or an impulse to move, simply observing without judgment.
• Small, purposeful movements. Exploring a gesture, such as pushing away or reaching out, can help complete a protective response that was blocked during the original experience.
• Making meaning. As the body settles, we connect these shifts to your beliefs, relationships, and life story.

You never have to share more than you are ready to, and there is no physical touch. You are in charge of the pace at every step.

Who Can Benefit

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy may help adults, teens, and families dealing with:

• Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and complex trauma (C-PTSD)
• Childhood abuse, neglect, or attachment wounds
• Dissociation and feeling disconnected from yourself
• Anxiety, panic, and chronic hypervigilance
• Depression, shame, and low self-worth
• Medical trauma, accidents, and sudden losses
• Migration, displacement, and cultural or intergenerational trauma

SP is especially helpful for people who have tried talk therapy and feel they understand their history but still feel its grip physically.

How SP Fits With EMDR, IFS, and Play Therapy

Dr. Hourmanesh is trained in several trauma therapies and tailors treatment to each person rather than following a single script. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy often works hand in hand with:

• EMDR. Body awareness from SP helps clients stay grounded during memory reprocessing.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS). Many protective “parts” express themselves through the body; SP gives them a physical voice.
• Play and sand tray therapy. For children, movement, play, and sensory experience are natural languages for healing.

About Dr. Najmeh Hourmanesh

Dr. Hourmanesh is a Utah Licensed Psychologist (DOPL #6291992-2501) with a PhD from the University of Utah. Her advanced training includes Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS Level 3), and play and sand tray therapy. She works with children, teens, adults, and families, and offers therapy in both English and Farsi.

As a psychologist, she can also provide assessment when it would help clarify what is going on. Learn more about Dr. Hourmanesh.

In Person in Millcreek or Online Across Utah

Office: 1345 E 3900 S, Ste 104, Millcreek, UT 84124. Convenient for clients in Salt Lake City, Holladay, Murray, and Cottonwood Heights.

Telehealth: Secure video sessions for Utah residents.

Hours: Monday–Thursday 10:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; Friday 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Fees: Road to Healing Counseling is an out-of-network provider. A limited number of reduced-fee spots are available. See fees and payment options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to talk about my trauma in detail?

No. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy does not require you to retell painful events in detail. Much of the work focuses on what is happening in your body right now, so you can make progress without reliving the story.

Will I be touched during sessions?

No. Sessions involve noticing sensations, posture, and small movements. You stay in control of what you explore, and nothing happens without your consent.

Can Sensorimotor Psychotherapy be done online?

Yes. Sessions are available in person at our Millcreek office or through secure video for Utah residents. Body awareness and movement work translate well to telehealth.

How is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy different from EMDR?

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy works directly with body sensations, movement, and posture. Many clients benefit from both, and Dr. Hourmanesh may combine them based on your needs.

Is Sensorimotor Psychotherapy covered by insurance?

Road to Healing Counseling is an out-of-network provider. We can provide a superbill you may submit to your insurer for possible reimbursement, and a limited number of reduced-fee spots are available.

More answers on our Trauma Therapy FAQ page.

Take the First Step

Your body has been working hard to protect you. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy can help it learn that it’s safe to rest. If you’re ready to explore body-based trauma therapy, we’re here to help. Call (801) 441-8943 or request an appointment.