The Grinberg Method is a body based learning modality

As a Psychologist and Psychotherapist in training, somatic therapies (bodywork) like the Grinberg Method are currently my preferred style of working.

I have witnessed long term consistent changes in my clients through the Grinberg Method.

*Talk therapy vs somatic therapy (bodywork)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) The most well-known top-down approach and research shows that top-down approaches can be really effective for:

  • Depression

  • Negative thinking patterns

  • Anxiety and worry

  • Eating disorders

  • Managing chronic pain

  • Substance abuse

  • Insomnia

If you’ve never experienced significant trauma and your nervous system is in tact (you move smoothly between states of activity and rest rather than being trapped in chronic stress or exhaustion), top-down therapy often works very well.

Working with a psychotherapist, you can think your way through problems, gain insights, and apply new strategies.

The Limitation of Top-Down for Trauma:

Studies show when you experience trauma and extreme stress, your prefrontal cortex, the rational "adult brain / upper brain" goes offline. Your brain diverts all its energy to the survival parts: the toddler and teenager who are operating out of "fight-fright-freeze-fawn" mode.

Healing requires addressing this lower brain - connecting with the toddler / teenager. Which is where somatic therapy comes in.

Studies indicate that bottom-up approaches are particularly effective for:

  • Trauma (complex or developmental trauma)

  • PTSD with strong body-based symptoms

  • Situations where talk therapy hasn’t worked

  • Anxiety and panic attacks

  • Chronic stress and pain

  • When you feel numb or disconnected from your body

  • When it is challenging to put your experience into words

Bottom-up approaches understand that trauma is not just a story you can talk yourself out of. Trauma is stored in the body as patterns within the nervous system - you experience and store trauma as a collection of sensations, emotions, impulses and body reactions / contractions.

The Map Analogy

Here is another way to explain the difference between talk therapy and somatic therapy.

Why I (currently) prefer a bottom up approach

Research consistently shows that when you’ve experienced significant trauma, your nervous system can become “hardwired” to perceive danger where there is none.

Your body reacts and before you know it, you are in full fight-or-flight mode. Trying to reason with yourself when you are in this state is almost impossible.

In my experience working with clients, the bottom up approach is incredibly effective for everyday life stresses because most of us are on the verge of burn out and living habitually flight / fight / freeze mode. Learning how deescalate your nervous system is crucial to feeling whole again.

Why I like the Grinberg Method

Somatic therapy (bodywork) is a broad term that covers everything from osteopathy, massage, manual lymph drainage, acupuncture, chiropractors etc.. in many of these modalities, the practitioner works on your body. They do the adjustment and you reap the benefits. However if there are no changes in your life, it’s likely the problem will recur and you’ll have to see them again for another adjustment.

I like the Grinberg Method because it is a body-based learning modality. 

This means that in addition to the touch you receive in the bodywork session, you will be taught how your body holds trauma, how it perceives danger, what habitual patterns click in you are triggered… and most importantly, how to undo this.

In fact, the touch you receive in a session is not about adjusting, but rather bringing attention to the contractions / tension patterns that are already there.

  • In a massage you are lying down and someone is touching you to relax or ease tension. The therapist manipulates your muscle and you're mostly passive.

    In a Grinberg Method session, you could be sitting, standing or lying down. I guide you, but you actively feel, breathe, move, and notice what's happening in the body. There's usually touch but it’s used to guide awareness—not to “fix” muscles. It’s more like training than treatment.

  • Mindfulness usually involves meditation and it's about cultivating awareness and observing your experience with acceptance of whatever is happening (sensations, thoughts, emotions). The aim is clarity and less reactivity.

    In a Grinberg Method, you are working with your body to change patterns in real time. You are cultivating body awareness in the session but you are also learning how to interrupt and change physical/emotional patterns (like chronic tension, pain habits, stress responses).

    In summary:

    • Mindfulness says: “Notice what is, and don’t fight it.”

    • Grinberg says: “Notice what you’re doing that keeps this pattern alive—and learn how to stop doing it.”

  • Physiotherapy is a medical rehabilitation approach to fix or strengthen tissues and movement. It focuses on muscles, joints, mobility, strength, rehab after injury/surgery. Exercises often include stretches and manual hands on therapy. Physio is excellent for injury, post-op rehab, clear mechanical issues.

    The Grinberg Method is about learning to change habits of tension and reaction in your nervous system and body. For example, if you've had an injury, it looks at what patterns are you running that keeps this pain or limitation going. Habits like bracing, shallow breathing, avoiding sensation, over-efforting.

    Besides injury, the Grinberg Method can be useful for persistent pain and stress-related tension.

WHAT NEXT?

Try it out:
Book an intake Session

Please call me on +49 16093174337 if you can’t find a suitable time.

  • Intake Sessions: 90 mins

    • In the first session, we will get to know each other. The first session also includes an initial diagnosis and a standard treatment, just like any regular session.

    • Goal: In the first session, you can find out, without obligation, whether the Grinberg Method is right for you.

    Follow up sessions: 60 mins

    • We will begin by discussing any special circumstances and changes since the last session. This will be followed by the regular body-oriented psychotherapy portion. At the end, you will have a few minutes alone to rest.

  • Ostenstraße 11, 85072 Eichstätt, Germany (1 hour from Munich)

    Google Maps: htps://maps.app.goo.gl/6X6hgUYJXNzLv6wQ7

  • Sessions are usually conducted with partial clothing / underwear. If you prefer to wear clothes, that’s also ok.

    • In-take Sessions €135 (90 mins)

    • Follow Up Sessions €110 (60 mins)

  • This totally depends on your insurance. Some private insurances cover all or only part of the treatment while the German public health insurance does not cover any costs

  • Yes.

    • You can reschedule or cancel your appointment free of charge 48 hours prior.

    • Changes last minute incur 85% no shows incur the full 100% fee.

    • If you are sick, there is no charge, just send a medical certificate / report via email.

*Further reading, sources and resources: