Somatic Approaches
To Trauma and Human Growth
/ Somatic Approach Japan
EMDR, Somatic Experiencing®, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Brainspotting, Metaphor Card Therapy, Somatic Touch Therapy, Dohsa-hou (Japanese original), Mindfulness, Sounds Bath\Sounds Therapy, Parts work, etc. :
Somatic Psychotherapist
YUKARI MAKINO, PH.D., AMFT, APCC, SEP
WELCOME TO
SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY WORLD!
Shinshin Ichinyo (身心一如)
The Unity of Body and Mind
“Shinshin Ichinyo” is a classical Japanese Zen expression meaning “body and mind as one.”
This concept reflects the view that the body and mind are not separate entities, but inseparable and interdependent aspects of human experience. In this perspective, emotions are not just psychological states, and movements are not just mechanical actions — both arise from a unified field of being.
This principle is foundational in many traditional Japanese arts (such as tea ceremony, martial arts, and calligraphy) as well as in somatic psychotherapy and trauma healing, where reconnecting body and mind is essential for integration and transformation.
In contrast to Western dualism, which often sees the body and mind as distinct or even opposing forces, “Shinshin Ichinyo” invites us to listen to the body as the language of the self — to feel, to sense, to embody.
You might come here armed with a wealth of insight into your challenges, particularly if you've engaged in talk therapy before.
In such therapy, you navigate your journey of healing through verbal exchanges, utilizing the analytical prowess of your left brain.
However, the essence of your trauma resides not in the realm of words but in the vivid imagery and sensations stored within your right brain. This realm houses what we refer to as implicit memory—powerful images that carry the weight of emotions, capable of triggering fear and shock with their intensity. For those grappling with complex trauma, it's in this part of the brain where deep emotional wounds lie. These wounds significantly shape your reactions, behaviors, thoughts—including your cognition, perspectives, and the meanings you attach to experiences—as well as your relationships and, indeed, the very fabric of your life.
Unlock the Power of Your Mind
with Somatic Psychotherapy
Beyond Words, Deeper Healing
The integration of Eastern and Western psychotherapy is
the latest approach in modern trauma therapy.
Notice Your Unspoken Voice
Your body, your symptoms, your nightmares, your subtle movements... They are all trying to tell you something important.
Naturally, the words that flow from our left brain hold immense power as well. At times, we wield this power as a shield, a defense mechanism to sidestep the issues and traumas that lie in wait. But to truly embark on a journey of healing, we must venture beyond the confines of the left-brain's realm. We need to extend our reach towards the right brain, embracing its potential to guide us through the process of healing our deepest traumas.
What is the Amygdala Highjack ?
Furthermore, as long as your trauma keeps the amygdala—the alarm center of your brain—on high alert, the prefrontal cortex, which is the seat of calm reasoning and thought, finds its abilities dampened. To restore balance and ensure your left brain can operate effectively, it's crucial to first soothe the heightened state of your amygdala.
Human brain AMYGDALA
– cross-section
PREFRONTAL CORTEX
The amygdala is not merely an alarm bell for danger—it is also a painter of our inner world.
It warns us of threats, yes, but it also colors our experiences with emotional depth, shaping our memories, desires, fears, and joys.
Without it, life might be safer, but it would be pale, muted, and hollow.
The amygdala allows us to feel love with intensity, to grieve deeply,
to stand in awe at beauty, and to know what matters most to us.
Like all parts of the brain, it is not good or bad—it is essential, and its regulation—not its suppression— is what leads us to integration and healing.
To truly embark on a journey of healing, we need to venture beyond the confines of our left-brain-dominated world. It's imperative that we extend our reach into the vast, untapped potential of our right brain, the sanctuary where our trauma seeks solace and healing.
The path to wholeness lies in the harmonious integration of our left and right hemispheres, weaving together the tapestry of words with the threads of awareness and moments of profound revelation. This intricate dance of connectivity paves the way for a balanced, enriched existence where healing and understanding flourish.
It has been shown that when a person engages in creative activity, they do not rely solely on the right hemisphere, but instead activate widespread regions across the entire brain.
Jung, R. E., & Haier, R. J. (2007). The parieto-frontal integration theory (P-FIT) of intelligence: Converging neuroimaging evidence. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 30(2), 135–154.
Beaty, R. E., Benedek, M., Silvia, P. J., & Schacter, D. L. (2016). Creative cognition and brain network dynamics. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 20(2), 87–95.
Dr. Yukari Makino approaches your Brain System and Nervous System to support your Self-Regulation so you would experience more space and calm inside of yourself.
The mind and body as intrinsically linked
Traumatic events can cause dysregulation in your autonomic nervous system, leading to various physical and mental health issues.
Does this resonate with your experience?
Somatic Experiencing
Through our senses and bodies, we experience the joy of being alive.
However, trauma can replace this joy with fear, embedding a sense of lifelessness within us.
Let me help you reclaim your true self, your body, your senses, and rediscover the joy of living.
Since Descartes, Western medicine has viewed the mind and body as separate entities. In contrast, the idea that the mind and body are one has been a fundamental concept in Eastern cultures, deeply ingrained in daily life. Today, Western medicine is beginning to re-examine and emphasize the connection between the mind and body.
In the field of psychotherapy, people from the USA have studied Japanese "Zen" or Buddhism, leading to the development of mindfulness and other primary trauma therapies were influenced by them.
Let's Work Together
In my unique "Somatic Approach," I integrate a rich array of somatic trauma psychotherapy techniques.
This method is not just about engaging the mind but involves a comprehensive engagement of the entire body.
It includes exteroception, connecting you with the external world through sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste, and dives deeply into interoception, which allows you to become attuned to the subtle sensations of your muscles, bones, and internal organs, such as the feeling of hunger or the urge to use the restroom.
Through proprioception, we explore the subconscious awareness of your body's movement and spatial orientation derived from internal stimuli.
But we don't stop there. This approach integrates your imagination, controlled breathing, vocal expression, and precise eye positioning.
Additionally, it delves into ancient wisdom by identifying and stimulating specific TSUBO, TANDEN or points on the body, all from the perspective of various trauma-focused psychotherapies.
This journey with me could open the door to new experiences, offering a path not just to recovery but to a reawakening of your body and mind.
I am here to support you every step of the way!
Contact
2615 Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 200, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(323) 334-0180
Somatic Psychotherapy
Let's work together to access your right brain more than your left brain.
I am here with you.
Yukari Makino, Ph.D., AMFT, APCC, SEP
✳︎ AMFT #134058, APCC#12036 / Under the supervision of Rachel Cole, LCSW #24313
Clinical Psychologist (#07628) in Japan / Certified EMDR therapist in Japan
https://www.somatic-approach.com