Traumatic experiences can permanently alter psychological, biological and social realities. In the wake of emerging understanding about the neurobiology of trauma and the appreciation that physical action is necessary to to initiate new ways of perceiving reality and promote new behaviour patterns, this workshop presents approaches that work with physical action to process traumatic experience, create new competencies, and address attachment disturbances. Simple actions, such as pushing away, reaching out, grounding, containment, and orienting, correspond to psychological functions. When clients experience and practice actions specifically related to a psychological symtom or issue, psychological functioning can be positively affected. For example, experiencing the physical capacity to define one's personal space or push away can strengthen the ability to secure boundaries and lessen helplessness; practicing reaching out can fortify confidence in the possibility of asking for help and increasing social contact. In this workshop, somatic interventions that mitigate dissocation and shame, address maladaptive attachment patterns, and foster a somatic sense of self will be illustrated through excerpts of individual therapy sessions. How people's minds and bodies process and interpret traumatic experiences will be addressed, with a focus on how controlled action might help overcome traumatic repetitions and continued fight/flight/freeze/submit responses and promote healthy attachments.