Somatic therapy

Somatic therapy incorporates awareness of physical sensations, breath, movement, and nervous system responses into the therapeutic process. While traditional talk therapy focuses on thoughts, beliefs, and narratives, somatic approaches recognize that emotional experiences and trauma are stored in the body as well as the mind. In our work together, we'll explore both cognitive and physical dimensions of your experience, helping you develop a more integrated understanding of yourself. This doesn't mean choosing between body-based work and talking—it means having access to both approaches as we work toward your goals.

Not at all. While somatic approaches are particularly effective for trauma healing, they're also valuable for anyone dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, or personal growth. If you've ever noticed that your emotions show up physically—tension, digestive issues, changes in breathing, fatigue—or if you feel disconnected from your body, somatic work can help. Many people benefit from learning to understand their nervous system patterns and develop better regulation skills, regardless of whether they've experienced what they'd identify as trauma.

Each session is unique and responsive to what you need that day. We'll always spend time talking about your experiences, concerns, and goals. Throughout our conversation, I might invite you to notice what's happening in your body—where you feel tension, what sensations arise as we discuss certain topics, how your breath changes. We might explore gentle movements, practice grounding techniques, or experiment with different breathing patterns. You'll always have complete choice in what you're willing to explore, and we'll never do anything that feels unsafe or uncomfortable. The pace and content of each session is guided by your needs and comfort level.

Somatic therapy can be done entirely through verbal exploration and invitation to notice internal sensations. I don't use touch-based interventions, and any movement or physical exploration is completely optional and within your control. If I suggest trying a particular breathing pattern, posture shift, or gentle movement, you're always free to decline or modify it to what feels right for you. The goal is to expand your awareness and skills, not to push you into anything that doesn't feel appropriate.

This varies significantly from person to person. Some people notice shifts in their first few sessions—perhaps they feel more grounded, sleep better, or manage anxiety more effectively. For others, especially those working with deep-seated patterns or complex trauma, the work unfolds more gradually over months. Somatic therapy isn't a quick fix, but rather a process of building awareness and skills that compound over time. We'll check in regularly about what's working and what might need adjustment, ensuring that the therapy continues to serve your evolving needs.

Yes, this is one of the areas where somatic approaches shine. When anxiety manifests physically—as tension, rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, digestive issues, or restlessness—working directly with your body's responses can be more effective than trying to think your way out of anxiety. We'll explore how your nervous system responds to stress, develop tools for regulation, and help you feel more capable of managing anxiety when it arises. Many people find that understanding the physical component of their anxiety reduces the fear around the sensations themselves.

That's completely okay and actually quite common, especially for people who've learned to disconnect from their bodies as a coping mechanism. We'll start exactly where you are. Building somatic awareness is a skill that develops over time with practice and patience. I'll guide you through gentle explorations that help you begin tuning into physical sensations without any pressure to immediately know or feel something. The disconnection you experience isn't a problem to be fixed; it's information about how you've learned to cope, and we'll work with it compassionately.

I integrate somatic principles throughout my work with cognitive behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, and solution-focused therapy. This means that we're simultaneously exploring your thoughts and beliefs, honoring your autonomy and inner wisdom, building on what's already working, and attending to your body's signals and nervous system patterns. These approaches complement each other beautifully. For example, when we identify an unhelpful thought pattern (CBT), we'll also notice how that thought feels in your body (somatic), explore what your authentic experience is beneath the pattern (person-centered), and identify times when you've successfully challenged that pattern (solution-focused).

Absolutely. Somatic therapy can be particularly valuable in this work. Religious and familial systems often teach us what emotions are acceptable, how we should hold our bodies, what desires or experiences we're allowed to acknowledge. These teachings become embodied—they live not just in your beliefs but in how you breathe, move, and physically experience yourself in the world. As you deconstruct these patterns, somatic work helps you reconnect with your authentic physical and emotional experience, separate from what you were taught you "should" feel. This embodied awareness supports you in building a life aligned with your true values.

If you're curious about it, you're ready to explore it. Readiness doesn't mean you have to feel certain or completely prepared. It just means you're open to trying something that might help. During our free consultation call and initial sessions, we'll explore whether this approach feels like a good fit for you right now. You can also start gently—we don't have to dive into deep somatic work immediately. We can begin with simple awareness practices and build from there as you feel comfortable. The beauty of an integrative approach is that we can adjust what we focus on based on your readiness and needs at any given time.