Burnout Prevention: Emotional Health Strategies for Physicians w/ Dr. Natacha Nelson (Ep. 55)

The Body Remembers: Uncovering Trauma Through Somatic Healing

For decades, wellness was narrowly defined by physical health: a fit body and the absence of disease. However, practitioners like Dr. Natasha Nelson are reshaping this paradigm by advocating for a holistic understanding of well-being—one that integrates physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Through her work as a high-performance educator, coach, and somatic healer, Dr. Nelson exemplifies how emotional and somatic healing can revolutionize how we approach wellness, trauma recovery, and personal growth.

From Chiropractor to Holistic Healer

Dr. Nelson began her career in chiropractic care, where she mastered the physical mechanics of the body. Yet, within months of treating patients, she noticed a profound inconsistency: the textbook formulas she relied upon often failed to account for the complexities of individual healing journeys. Patients' progress was deeply influenced by factors beyond physical injury, such as stress, emotional trauma, and unresolved mental patterns.

This realization led her to pursue a master’s degree in spiritual psychology. Her personal journey into emotional healing transformed not only her life but also her professional focus. Today, Dr. Nelson’s practice centers on addressing the intricate interplay of the body and mind, helping clients uncover the hidden emotional and mental blocks that prevent optimal health.

Understanding Somatic Healing

Somatic healing, derived from the Greek word soma (meaning body), explores the ways in which the body stores emotions and trauma. Dr. Nelson explains that emotional experiences leave an imprint on the body, manifesting as physical symptoms such as pain, tension, or restricted movement. These physical signals are akin to the warning lights on a car’s dashboard—indicators of underlying issues that need attention.

By teaching clients to interpret these signals, somatic healing allows them to process and release stored trauma. This holistic approach integrates emotional literacy—the ability to identify and understand emotions—with physical awareness, enabling energy to flow freely through the body.

Emotional Health: The Willingness to Feel Everything

Central to Dr. Nelson’s philosophy is the distinction between emotional and mental health. Emotional health involves being willing to feel all emotions—positive and negative—without suppression or avoidance. As she explains, emotions cannot be selectively numbed. You cannot fully experience love, joy, or connection while avoiding anger, grief, or jealousy.

Mental health, by contrast, concerns the logical processes of the mind: problem-solving, planning, and making decisions. When these two aspects of health are disconnected, individuals often fall into patterns of coping mechanisms—whether through addiction, avoidance, or overworking—that stifle personal growth.

Dr. Nelson’s approach combines these elements, teaching clients to feel emotions without being overwhelmed by them while using their mental capacities to create actionable paths forward.

The Five Pillars of Health

Dr. Nelson’s work is built on five pillars:

1. Physical Health: The foundation of bodily wellness.

2. Chemical Health: Nutritional balance and the body’s biochemical environment.

3. Emotional Health: The ability to process and feel emotions fully.

4. Mental Health: Cognitive clarity and the ability to solve problems effectively.

5. Spiritual Health: A sense of purpose and connection to something greater.

Every client undergoes a comprehensive evaluation across these pillars. By identifying the areas most in need of attention, she develops customized strategies to support healing and growth.

Trauma, Weight, and Emotional Blocks

One striking example Dr. Nelson highlights involves women who struggle with weight loss due to unresolved trauma, particularly sexual trauma. For these individuals, weight can become a protective mechanism—a way to feel safe and less visible. Addressing weight issues, then, often requires delving into the underlying emotional triggers that created these protective behaviors.

This process is neither linear nor easy. It involves creating a plan of action while simultaneously confronting emotional triggers that arise. By combining somatic healing with coaching techniques, Dr. Nelson helps clients move past these blocks to achieve sustainable change.

Healing Through Connection

For Dr. Nelson, the most rewarding moments come when her clients take ownership of their healing journey. She compares her role to that of a sports coach, preparing her clients with the tools and strategies they need to succeed independently. The ultimate goal is not merely to facilitate healing but to empower clients to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.

Dr. Nelson’s personal story further underscores the transformative power of emotional healing. During her mother’s battle with ALS, Dr. Nelson turned to writing as a therapeutic outlet, documenting her feelings and experiences. These reflections became the foundation for her book, Finding the Courage to Let You Out, which explores themes of grief, healing, and personal growth.

Her willingness to confront her emotions during this painful time allowed her to process her grief fully, leaving her with a profound sense of closure after her mother’s passing. This experience not only shaped her philosophy but also serves as a powerful example of how emotional literacy can transform even the most difficult experiences.

Transforming Corporate Wellness

Dr. Nelson’s expertise extends beyond individual clients to corporate wellness programs. In environments marked by high stress, attrition, or organizational change, she tailors her approach to address the unique challenges of the workplace. By working with both employees and leadership, she identifies the misalignments—whether emotional, mental, or structural—that hinder productivity and well-being.

Dr. Nelson’s vision for the future includes expanding her reach through public speaking, global travel, and sharing her message with audiences in multiple languages. Her work underscores a profound truth: healing is not about fixing what is broken but about unleashing the life force within.