Somatic Psychotherapy

Have you ever moved a certain way…

… or been in a pose and had a random memory come up? Maybe a sudden feeling of familiarity?

That’s because our bodies store our experiences, bad and good.

Here’s an example of the bad…

I once had a client complaining of a strong, uncomfortable knot in her left shoulder following the traumatic death of someone close to her. Using somatic-based therapy, we figured out that she had learned of his death while answering the phone with her left hand and shoulder.

But don’t get discouraged, because good experiences are also stored!

For example, when we do somatic psychotherapy together, I might say, “Notice what happens in your body when you think (insert happy memory here).” You’ll typically have multiple positive body sensations, which we’ll later use as anchors if the bad ones get to be too much.

We’re going to learn all about your nervous system.

You will learn to track your nervous system during and outside of session.

Tracking your nervous system means learning the physical signs of hyperarousal (an over-activated nervous system) and hypoarousal (an under-activated) nervous system. We’ll review that information together, and it’ll inform our work in session.

During the session, I’ll guide you to provide us real-time feedback about the messages your body is sending to your brain and what’s triggering you.

This will enhance your awareness of the subtle and not-so-subtle things happening in your body, and, eventually, you’ll learn to use those queues as a guide for healing.