From Self to Group to Community: Integrating Developmental and Multilevel Approaches in Somatic Therapy

Abstract: This article introduces a multilevel therapeutic framework for trauma healing, integrating Stephen Porges’s polyvagal theory with principles from somatic psychology and from developmental, evolutionary, and contemplative sciences. We emphasize the often-overlooked role of interpersonal relationships in nervous system regulation, addressing these relational dimensions across individual, dyadic, group, and community levels. As a case study, we present the Relational Embodiment two-week residency program, illustrating how somatic and relational practices enhance self-regulation and coregulation, in turn demonstrating the potential of relational embodiment in therapeutic settings. We discuss limitations and propose future directions to fill gaps in current therapeutic practices where relational dynamics are often overlooked.