Many people come to somatic therapy because they feel “off” in their body, emotions, or mind, even if they can’t explain exactly why. You might notice:

-Constant muscle tension, jaw clenching, or restlessness

-Racing heart, shortness of breath, or a tight chest

-Trouble sleeping or feeling “wired but tired”

-Feeling frozen, paralyzed, or easily startled

-Stomach knots, nausea, or unexplained digestive issues

-Racing thoughts, overthinking, or obsessive mental loops

-Feeling disconnected from your body or emotions

-A sense that you’re unsafe, even in safe situations

-Shame about feeling “too much” or “not enough”

If any of this feels familiar, somatic therapy can help you understand what’s happening in your nervous system, make sense of your body’s signals, and begin to feel safer, more grounded, and more connected to yourself.

Yes. Somatic therapy can be especially helpful for anxiety, fear, and obsessive thinking because these experiences often live not just in the mind, but in the body. When your nervous system stays in a heightened state — even after the stressful event has passed — you might notice symptoms like:

-Racing thoughts or mental “loops” you can’t turn off

-A constant sense of unease or dread

-Difficulty calming down, even in safe situations

-Muscle tension, jaw clenching, or restlessness

-Racing heart, shallow breathing, or digestive issues

-Feeling frozen, on edge, or disconnected from your body

Somatic therapy works by helping you tune into your body’s signals, regulate your nervous system, and release stored tension from past experiences. We help the body create a sense of relative safety which can lead to greater resilience and more flexibility in how you respond to life’s challenges and joys!

Talk therapy is primarily cognitive and insight-oriented. Somatic therapy takes into account the part of the nervous system called the limbic system—the part of our brain responsible for our fight/flight/freeze/fawn response.

In somatic therapy, the therapist guides the client with questions that can help them to unlock the wisdom of their own body.

Somatic therapy is based on the mechanism of trauma, that the cognitive part of the brain goes offline when our bodies are overwhelmed by an event and the overwhelm is too much or there is minimal to no repair afterwards.

“When the alarm bell of the emotional brain keeps signaling that you are in danger, no amount of insight will silence it.” -Bessel A. van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score

Every session is guided by what you need that day. We might start by talking, then use tools like nervous system education, somatic inquirt, inner child work, guided imagery, breathwork, or gentle somatic movement. You’re always in charge of your pace, autonomony is key, and nothing is forced. My role is to create a space where you can safely explore and reconnect with your full emotional range.

In psychotherapy sessions, I do NOT include touch. I have a list of licensed bodyworkers, and I highly recommend working with one to support your therapeutic work. See more about that here.

Movement CAN be part of the session. But only if the client consents. Autonomy and agency are key aspects of this work. Movement is invited as a response to the impulses of the client’s nervous system. It can include finding a rest posture, standing, pushing the arms, kicking the legs. All movement is supportive and for the purpose of repairing past trauma.

In non-clinical sessions like breathwork, consensual, supportive touch may be offered as part of the practice and only with verbal consent from the client. It is NOT mandatory. This may include light contact, such as a hand on the shoulder or back, to support grounding or deepening the breath. Touch is always optional, client-led, and can be declined or stopped at any time.

That’s completely normal! Many people feel unsure, especially if they’ve never tried somatic therapy before. Our first session is a chance to get to know each other, talk about your goals, and see if this approach feels like a good fit for you. We will have a consultation phone call before we begin to make sure its a good fit, too!