People with IBD are more likely to live with anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders than people who don't live with one of these conditions. For that reason, caring for mental health is as important as caring for physical health. But it doesn't always work out that way, as patients may not know how important their mental health is to their physical health, or may not have access to a mental health professional. Abri Bernstein shares her personal journey with ulcerative colitis (UC) and how somatic psychotherapy helped her cope with living with the disease. Abri explains somatic psychotherapy as a holistic approach to healing that focuses on the body and nervous system regulation. She describes various modalities, such as somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), emphasizing the importance of addressing trauma stored in the body for healing to occur.

Resources and information discussed in this episode:

• What Is Somatic Therapy?
• Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective
• Polyvagal Institute
• The Trauma Foundation
• Bonaz B, Sinniger V, Pellissier S. Therapeutic Potential of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Front Neurosci. 2021;15:650971. Published 2021 Mar 22. doi:10.3389/fnins.2021.650971.
• Polyvagal Theory: A Science of Safety

Find Abri Bernstein at:

• Web: Healing With Abri
• LinkedIn: Abri Berstein
• Email: abribern@gmail.com

Find Amber J Tresca at:

• AboutIBD.com: About IBD
• Verywell: Verywell Health
• Facebook: @aboutIBD
• Twitter: @aboutIBD
• Pinterest: @aboutibd
• Instagram: @about_IBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

• Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
• Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
• Web: Cooney Studio
• Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD150

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