Introduction
For decades, mental health care has focused on thoughts and talk therapy. But Dr. Amina Wells, a trauma specialist and somatic therapist, believes the body holds the real key to healing. Her Somatic Mind Integration (SMI) method is changing the way therapists address anxiety, PTSD, and chronic emotional pain—by going beyond the brain.
The Body Remembers
“Trauma isn’t just in your mind—it’s in your fascia, your breath, your posture,” says Dr. Wells. SMI combines physical grounding, movement cues, and gentle hands-on work to release stored emotional tension.
A New Era in Mental Health Care
Clinical trials show SMI can reduce symptoms of PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder faster than CBT alone. “The body has a memory system,” Wells explains. “And when we include it in therapy, transformation happens faster.”
From Stigma to Embodiment
With growing support from trauma-informed therapists, SMI is being taught in graduate programs and clinics nationwide. “The future of therapy is not just about what you think—it’s about how you feel in your skin,” Wells says.