We understand that trauma is more than a memory—it’s something your body continues to carry. Whether the trauma stems from childhood adversity, relationship abuse, or military service, its effects can linger in the nervous system long after the event is over. For many, talk therapy alone isn’t enough. That’s why we offer trauma-informed breathwork as part of our holistic treatment approach.
Breathwork for trauma helps you safely reconnect with your body, calm an overactive stress response, and begin to release the emotional tension you may have been holding in for years. At Southeastern Recovery Center, our goal is to help you feel safe again—in your body, in your emotions, and in your life.
Breathwork refers to guided, conscious breathing techniques that engage your body’s natural healing mechanisms. When used in trauma recovery, breathwork helps regulate your nervous system, supports emotional release, and strengthens the connection between body and mind. It is one of the most effective somatic tools for reducing trauma symptoms without needing to verbalize painful memories.
The National Center for PTSD recognizes somatic therapies like breathwork as important components of trauma recovery because they help calm the autonomic nervous system and release stored stress from the body (source).
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we tailor breathwork sessions to your needs, comfort level, and readiness. You’ll never be pushed—only supported.
Ready To Begin Healing?
Trauma can profoundly disrupt the body’s stress response system. It’s common for survivors to experience hypervigilance, anxiety, shallow breathing, chronic tension, and emotional numbing. As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explains in The Body Keeps the Score, traumatic memories live not just in the mind, but in the nervous system, muscles, and breath patterns.
Breathwork offers a path forward that is rooted in the body—not just in cognitive processing. According to a study, conscious breathwork activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowers cortisol levels, and increases heart rate variability—key signs of a regulated and resilient nervous system.
Our trauma-informed breathwork sessions can help you:
Reduce PTSD symptoms –
One study found that six weeks of breath-focused practices were just as effective as traditional talk therapy for reducing PTSD symptoms.
Improve emotional regulation –
Breathwork enhances your ability to stay grounded during stressful or overwhelming situations.
Reconnect with your body –
Trauma often causes people to disconnect from bodily sensations. Breathwork creates a safe way to return to the body and restore internal trust.
Release stored emotion –
Clients often experience emotional breakthroughs during breathwork, allowing grief, fear, or anger to surface and be released gently.
Sleep more peacefully –
Regulating the breath helps calm the nervous system, which can lead to deeper, more restorative sleep.
The breath is always with you. Learning how to use it as a tool for healing empowers you to reclaim control, even when emotions feel overwhelming.
Our breathwork for trauma sessions are structured to ensure emotional and physical safety. Whether done in a one-on-one or small group setting, sessions follow a gentle, grounded approach.
We never force breathwork. Instead, we introduce it gently and at a pace that honors your history and readiness. We also provide modifications for clients with medical concerns or heightened sensitivity.
Breathwork is appropriate for anyone seeking healing from:
You do not need a formal diagnosis to benefit. If you feel stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown modes—or if talk therapy hasn’t helped you connect with your body—breathwork may offer a new and transformative path forward.
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we recognize that breathwork alone isn’t a cure. That’s why we offer it alongside a full continuum of trauma treatment options, including:
Recent findings published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress confirm that combining body-based therapies like breathwork with traditional therapy leads to better trauma outcomes compared to using either approach alone.
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we believe everyone deserves access to trauma-informed care, including breathwork therapy. We understand that cost can be a concern, which is why we offer several options to help make your healing journey more accessible and manageable.
Breathwork therapy may be covered under your insurance plan when it’s part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes mental health or substance use services. While most insurance providers do not reimburse for standalone breathwork sessions, many do cover it when it’s integrated into individual or group therapy sessions led by a licensed clinician.
Our team will work directly with your insurance provider to determine your eligibility, verify your benefits, and walk you through what is—and isn’t—covered. We accept many major insurance plans and will gladly handle the paperwork so you can focus on your healing.
If you’re not using insurance or prefer to pay out-of-pocket, we offer self-pay rates for individual. We’re happy to discuss pricing with you upfront and offer clear, transparent information—no surprise bills, no confusion.
There are also third-party financing services that specialize in behavioral health care. These providers offer low- or no-interest monthly payment plans to help you get the support you need now without putting financial strain on your household.
At Southeastern Recovery Center, we’re not just focused on symptom relief—we’re focused on whole-person healing. Our trauma-informed team is highly trained in somatic modalities, and our environment is designed to foster safety, trust, and restoration.
When you work with us, you can expect:
Licensed and trauma-informed breathwork practitioners
One-on-one attention and personalized care plans
Calm, private, and comfortable therapy rooms
Respect for your pace and autonomy
Full integration with mental health and addiction recovery services
Here, you don’t have to heal alone. Our team walks beside you, one breath at a time.
Yes, but we always assess your medical and emotional history before starting. If you have a heart condition, seizure disorder, or are pregnant, we’ll provide alternative techniques or additional safety measures.
No experience is required. Breathwork is fully guided and accessible for beginners.
That depends on your goals. Some people benefit from a few sessions, while others incorporate breathwork as part of long-term trauma care.
It’s possible—and completely okay. If strong emotions arise, you’ll be supported by professionals trained to help you process them safely.
Many of our services, including integrated breathwork sessions, may be covered under trauma-informed therapy. Our admissions team can walk you through your options.
If you’re tired of feeling on edge, shut down, or disconnected from your body, breathwork may be the gentle healing tool you’ve been looking for. Breath by breath, you can begin to feel present, grounded, and safe again.
Reach out to Southeastern Recovery Center today to learn more about how breathwork for trauma can support your recovery. Whether you’ve just started exploring treatment or you’re ready for the next step in your healing journey, we’re here to help you breathe easier.