Somatic & Conversion Disorder Therapy for Adults

Have you been experiencing physical symptoms that feel real and disruptive, even after medical testing has not fully explained what is happening? Do you notice that your symptoms worsen during stress, emotional overwhelm, trauma reminders, conflict, exhaustion, or major life transitions? Are you tired of feeling dismissed, confused, or afraid of what your body may do next?

Somatic and conversion symptoms can feel frightening because they often show up in the body in ways that are difficult to understand. You may experience pain, weakness, numbness, tremors, movement changes, speech disruptions, fatigue, dizziness, dissociation, or other physical symptoms that seem connected to stress, trauma, or nervous system overwhelm.

At Brave Spaces Counseling, I provide trauma-informed and neuroscience-informed therapy for adults experiencing somatic symptoms, conversion disorder, functional neurological symptoms, and nervous system dysregulation. The goal is not to tell you that symptoms are “all in your head.” The goal is to help you understand the connection between the brain, body, trauma, stress, and nervous system responses so healing can begin with compassion, clarity, and support.

What Are Somatic & Conversion Disorders?

Somatic and conversion disorders involve physical symptoms that are real, distressing, and often difficult to fully explain through standard medical testing. These symptoms may affect movement, sensation, pain, energy, digestion, breathing, speech, or awareness.

Conversion disorder, also known as Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, may involve neurological symptoms such as weakness, tremors, non-epileptic seizures, gait changes, numbness, or speech difficulties without evidence of structural neurological disease.

Somatic symptoms may also appear when the nervous system is under prolonged stress. This does not mean the symptoms are fake or intentional. It means the body may be expressing distress, overwhelm, trauma, or dysregulation through physical pathways.

Many clients arrive after years of asking:

“Why does my body feel this way?”
“Why do my symptoms get worse when I am stressed?”
“Why do doctors say nothing is structurally wrong when I feel so unwell?”
“Can therapy help if my symptoms are physical?”

These questions deserve thoughtful, compassionate answers.

Is Something Wrong With Me?

No. Somatic and conversion symptoms do not mean you are broken, weak, dramatic, or making your symptoms happen.

Your body and nervous system are designed to protect you. When stress, trauma, fear, grief, or overwhelm builds over time, the nervous system may begin responding through physical symptoms. For some people, the body becomes the place where distress is carried, especially when emotions, memories, or stress responses have been difficult to process directly.

You may notice symptoms during or after:

• chronic stress

• trauma reminders

• emotional overwhelm

• conflict or relational stress

• grief or major life transitions

• physical exhaustion

• sleep disruption

• feeling trapped, unsafe, unheard, or unsupported

• anxiety, panic, depression, or shutdown

• dissociation or disconnection from the body

Sometimes symptoms appear even when you do not feel emotionally upset in the moment. The nervous system may be responding to patterns that developed over time.

Common Symptoms of Somatic & Conversion Disorders:

Somatic and conversion symptoms can look different from person to person. Some symptoms are painful or exhausting. Others may feel neurological, confusing, or frightening.

You may experience:

• unexplained pain or body discomfort

• numbness, tingling, or weakness

• tremors, shaking, or movement changes

• non-epileptic seizures or seizure-like episodes

• dizziness, faintness, or feeling unsteady

• speech changes or difficulty speaking

• chronic fatigue or heaviness

• shortness of breath or chest tightness

• digestive distress worsened by stress

• dissociation or feeling disconnected from your body

• symptoms that worsen during stress or overwhelm

• fear of symptoms returning in public

• shame, frustration, or fear that others do not believe you

These symptoms can affect work, relationships, daily responsibilities, emotional well-being, and your sense of safety in your own body.

How Anxiety May Show Up With Somatic & Conversion Disorders

Anxiety often develops when your body feels unpredictable. This does not mean your symptoms are “just anxiety.” It means the nervous system may become more alert, protective, and reactive when symptoms feel frightening or unexplained.

Anxiety may show up as:

• fear that something serious is medically wrong

• constantly scanning your body for symptoms

• panic when sensations change

• avoiding activities because symptoms may return

• racing thoughts about what others may think

• feeling tense, restless, or on edge

• difficulty sleeping because of worry

• rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, dizziness, or shortness of breath

• fear of leaving home, driving, working, or being alone

In therapy, we work to reduce the fear-symptom cycle by helping you understand what your nervous system is doing, strengthen regulation skills, and rebuild confidence in your body.

How Depression May Show Up With Somatic & Conversion Disorders:

Depression can happen when physical symptoms begin to limit your life. You may feel discouraged after repeated medical appointments, frustrated by unanswered questions, or exhausted from trying to function while your body feels unreliable.

Depression may show up as:

• sadness, hopelessness, or emotional exhaustion

• loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

• withdrawing from family, friends, work, or church

• low motivation or difficulty completing tasks

• shame or self-blame about symptoms

• feeling disconnected from purpose or identity

• changes in sleep or appetite

• thoughts such as “I will never feel better” or “No one understands”

Therapy can help you process the emotional impact of somatic and conversion symptoms while supporting nervous system stabilization, coping skills, and reconnection with your life. 

How Somatic & Conversion Disorder Therapy Can Help

At Brave Spaces Online Therapy, therapy is designed to help you understand the relationship between your body, emotions, nervous system, trauma history, and current stress. The work is paced, compassionate, and grounded in safety.

Therapy may help you:

• understand why physical symptoms may worsen during stress

• reduce fear and shame around symptoms

• identify patterns, triggers, and early warning signs

• strengthen grounding and regulation skills

• develop a practical plan for symptom flare-ups

• process trauma when appropriate and safe

• improve emotional awareness and body awareness

• reduce avoidance and rebuild daily functioning

• develop healthier self-talk around symptoms

• reconnect with a greater sense of safety and stability

A Brain-Body Approach to Healing:

Somatic and conversion symptoms often require more than simply “thinking differently.” They require an approach that honors the connection between the brain, body, emotions, behavior, and nervous system.

Therapy may include:

• psychoeducation about brain-body communication

• nervous system regulation tools

• somatic awareness exercises

• grounding strategies

• trauma-informed therapy

• cognitive behavioral strategies

• trigger and pattern tracking

• pacing and stabilization

• compassionate exploration of stress and trauma

This work is not about blaming you for your symptoms. It is about helping your nervous system learn that new responses are possible.

Virtual Therapy for Somatic & Conversion Symptoms:

Online therapy can be especially helpful when physical symptoms make it difficult to attend in-person appointments. Through secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions, you can receive care from a private, familiar space while practicing regulation tools in your real-life environment.

Virtual therapy may support you in:

• understanding symptoms from home

• building consistency in treatment

• practicing grounding skills in your own space

• identifying daily patterns and triggers

• reducing shame and isolation

• creating a practical plan for symptom management

Sessions are personalized to your needs and paced according to your nervous system’s capacity.

Is Somatic & Conversion Disorder Therapy Right for Me?

This type of therapy may be a good fit if:

• medical evaluation has not fully explained your symptoms

• symptoms worsen during stress, trauma reminders, or overwhelm

• you have been diagnosed with conversion disorder or Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder

• you experience physical symptoms connected to anxiety, trauma, depression, or dissociation

• you want to understand the brain-body connection

• you are open to learning nervous system regulation skills

• you want trauma-informed support without shame or dismissal

This practice may not be the right fit if:

• your symptoms have not been medically evaluated

• you are in acute medical crisis

• you are experiencing immediate suicide risk

• you need emergency care, inpatient care, or medical detox

• you are seeking medication-only treatment

• you have active neurological symptoms that require urgent medical attention

When appropriate, collaboration with a physician, neurologist, psychiatrist, or other medical provider may be recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic & Conversion Disorders

Are somatic symptoms real?

Yes. Somatic symptoms are real and can significantly affect daily life. Therapy does not assume symptoms are fake or intentional.

What is conversion disorder?

Conversion disorder, also called Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, involves neurological symptoms such as weakness, tremors, seizures, numbness, or speech changes that are not explained by structural neurological disease.

Can trauma cause physical symptoms?

Trauma and chronic stress can affect the nervous system and contribute to physical symptoms in some individuals. Not every person with somatic symptoms identifies trauma as the cause, but many benefit from trauma-informed care.

Can anxiety make somatic symptoms worse?

Yes. Anxiety can increase nervous system activation and make physical sensations feel more intense or frightening.

Can depression happen with somatic symptoms?

Yes. Depression may develop when symptoms limit independence, identity, relationships, work, or hope.

Can therapy help if my symptoms are physical?

Therapy may help by reducing fear around symptoms, strengthening nervous system regulation, identifying triggers, improving coping skills, and addressing trauma or stress patterns when appropriate.

YOUR NEXT STEPS

You do not have to keep feeling confused, dismissed, or afraid of your body. Somatic and conversion symptoms are real, and support is available.

At Brave Spaces Counseling, I provide compassionate, trauma-informed care to help you better understand your symptoms, regulate your nervous system, and rebuild trust in your body.

You do not have to continue living in fear of your symptoms, overwhelmed by uncertainty, or feeling disconnected from your body. Somatic and conversion symptoms can make daily life feel exhausting, unpredictable, and isolating, especially when you feel misunderstood or unsure of what is happening within your nervous system. I’m here to help you better understand the connection between the brain, body, stress, trauma, and nervous system responses while supporting you in developing practical coping skills, reducing fear around symptoms, strengthening emotional regulation, and rebuilding trust in yourself and your body. Healing is possible, and you do not have to navigate this journey alone.

You can send us an email or set up a free consultation.

To schedule an appointment for individual counseling with Brave Spaces Counseling in Georgia, call 770.727.1770.

Your body is not broken. It is speaking. Let’s learn to listen together.

CONTACT US TODAY TO GET STARTED

To find out how we can help, contact us for your free, no-obligation consultation.

Additional Resources for Nervous System Healing

It is okay to seek support when your body, mind, and nervous system feel overwhelmed. Somatic symptoms, conversion symptoms, trauma, anxiety, depression, dissociation, and chronic stress can deeply affect how you feel physically, emotionally, and relationally. At Brave Spaces Online Therapy, I provide compassionate, neuroscience-informed care for adults experiencing somatic symptoms, Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FND), trauma-related nervous system dysregulation, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. Together, we work to better understand the connection between your brain, body, stress responses, and lived experiences while building practical tools for regulation, healing, and greater stability. You do not have to navigate confusing or distressing symptoms alone. Support, understanding, and healing are possible.