“The moment we break down and transform our defenses, we experience a total flow of energy and love throughout the body, and our consciousness changes. ”
Somatic Psychotherapy
In traditional talk therapy, it’s common that our emotions, thoughts, and behavior are the sole focus of the therapeutic work. In my somatic approach, we acknowledge the profound role the body plays in what may be keeping us from what we want in life.
Every experience we’ve had in this life occurs within the container of our bodies. Our incredibly adaptable and intelligent systems learn over time how to keep us safe from painful or familiar experience by creating belief systems about ourselves, others, and the world that inform our adult realities. Our muscles and connective tissue maintain these belief systems by creating chronic holding and movement patterns so we can protect ourselves. In our work together, we can get curious about how this happens for you in your body, emotionally, mentally, behaviorally and spiritually. This process will look different for everyone, because everyone structures their energy a little bit differently. This is all done through talking, movement, expression, breath, mindfulness and more.
There are many kinds of somatic therapy orientations and practices available to us; you may have heard of Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Sensori-Motor, Hakomi, just to name a few. My training is in Core Energetics. While all of these approaches are somatic, which means informed by the body, Core Energetics is attachment based. It is originally referred to as an evolutionary healing process, which recognizes the deep personal changes that can come from this work.
Artwork by Slimesistren
Areas of focus: Anxiety, depression, trauma and complex trauma, relationship challenges, eating disorders, body image, self esteem and self worth, exploring life purpose, perfectionism, procrastination, managing difficult emotions, and more.