Somatic Therapy

What to Expect From a Session
We’re gonna slow things way down.
One of the key concepts of SE is titration: incorporating small doses of traumatic material and then observing the subtle shifts of the system in response. Those shifts can include but are not limited to changes in breathing or body temperature, impulses toward movement, and imagery or memories. In moments of threat, perceived or actual, the nervous system activates toward a myriad of protective responses (fight, flight, fawn, freeze),
if unable to complete in the moment, the energy of those responses remain unused and can, over time, result in disruptive symptoms.
In session, we work slowly and gradually to complete what may not have been able to happen in the past, restoring the body’s ability to self-regulate and freeing up that vital life energy for greater purpose and fulfillment.
In My Own Words
The majority of my life has been dedicated toward personal healing. As I moved into the professional world, it was and is my hope that my own work would be of benefit, directly or indirectly, to others as they navigate their individual flavors of history + pain.
In my therapeutic odyssey, I explored every avenue of wellness imaginable: psychotherapy, yoga, Buddhism, rolfing, and acupuncture, to name just a few.
Don’t get me wrong, these are wonderful healing routes, and many continue to serve me well and meaningfully. But even with all of this support, I still felt stuck and some of my more deeply rooted issues, unresolved. When I was introduced to Somatic Experiencing®, it gave me the skills I needed to truly understand myself, my past as well as my potential, and for the first time in a long time, I could see the way forward.

Experiences to work with may include:
Chronic Pain
Sexual/Physical Abuse
Grief and Loss
Medical Procedures
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Falls or Head Injuries
Natural Disasters
Developmental Ruptures (neglect, abandonment, emotional/physical abuse)
Systemic Oppression
Transgenerational Trauma
Symptoms may present as:
Hyper-arousal – nervousness, anxiety + panic
Dissociation – zoned out, lethargic, sense of pervasive helplessness
Hyper-vigilance – being “on guard” at all times
Difficulty sleeping
Depression
Immobility – feeling stuck + without options
Diminished interest in life
Chronic fatigue or very low energy
Headaches, digestive + immune system issues
Muscle tension

What Clients Are Saying



FAQ
Q: Could you share details of what happens during the session?
A: In traditional therapy (of which I am an avid promoter), the focus is on the narrative of our experience. SE diverts some of that attention and redirects it toward how our experience lives in the body and shows up in the nervous system as patterns of tension or disconnection. Our work will center around connecting to the language of the body by noticing the channels it most clearly speaks through: sensation, imagery, movement, and emotion.
Q: I am a bit concerned/curious about ‘jumping right in’ to a session
A: It’s perfectly normal and natural to feel hesitation when it comes to approaching any kind of trauma or body related work. Cognitively working through something is not the same as physiologically addressing it. The residue of our experiences as we meet them in the body can be surprisingly potent. That’s why slow is the key. One of the main components of SE is titration, which is a term that essentially means a very little bit at a time. We won’t dive right into the deep end of a highly charged experience, rather we will work gently with the edges, or periphery, of what emerges where the experience is more manageable.
Q: Can SE help with physical pain/tension?
A: Sessions can help unravel physical tension that may be the result of unresolved emotions, experiences, or nervous system dysregulation. However, SE is not a replacement for medical assistance, so it is always important to get an evaluation by your doctor to rule out any necessary medical interventions.
Q: How frequently do you recommend doing sessions?
A: In general, every other week seems to be a good place to begin. Having some time between sessions gives the work we do with the nervous system time to settle, integrate, and reorganize toward greater coherence and clarity. It also gives the client time to observe the impact of the work on their daily lives. However, if you are working with something acute or feel that you need more support, having weekly sessions can be a helpful anchor during heightened moments of duress.

Photos by James Collier

