Somatic Therapy

What is somatic therapy?

When we think about therapy, we often imagine talking through our problems. But sometimes, words alone don’t fully capture what’s going on inside. Many emotional wounds, especially those tied to trauma and early relationships, live deeply in the body. Somatic therapy is a gentle, body-based approach that helps you understand and work through emotional pain, trauma, and patterns that feel stuck—not just through talking, but by listening to your body.

Rather than focusing only on thoughts or memories, somatic therapy brings awareness to physical sensations, tension, posture, breath, and movement. These subtle cues often hold valuable insight into our emotions and past experiences—even ones we can’t fully explain with words.

By tuning into what your body is telling you in the present moment, we create space for deeper healing and lasting change.

Why work with the body?

Sometimes we know something is off, but we can’t think our way through it. Our nervous system may still be responding to past stress, trauma, or attachment wounds, even when we’re trying our best to move forward.

Somatic therapy helps gently shift those stuck responses. It can support:

• Feeling more grounded and present

• Reducing anxiety and overwhelm

• Understanding old patterns and triggers

• Reconnecting with your emotions and inner wisdom

• Creating new, embodied ways of responding to life and relationships

What sessions might look like

Our sessions are a blend of talk therapy and body-based (somatic) work, always tailored to what feels supportive and natural for you. We might begin by exploring what's happening in your day-to-day life—your emotions, relationships, or stuck patterns—and then gently tune in to what your body is holding.

In somatic therapy, and especially through Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, we often discover that the body holds traces of early relational experiences. The ways we adapted in childhood—to feel safe, to be accepted, or to avoid pain—can still live in the nervous system today, even if we aren’t consciously aware of them.

As we slow down and build awareness, we may begin to connect with the younger parts of yourself—the inner child who had to figure out how to cope, often in ways that made perfect sense at the time. These younger parts might still be shaping how you respond to stress, how you connect to others, or how you see yourself.

Gently working with these parts—through both conversation and body awareness—can be a powerful path toward healing long-held attachment wounds and creating new ways of relating to yourself and others.

In our time together, we may:

• Notice sensations or impulses that arise when you talk about certain situations

• Explore reactions like bracing, freezing, or withdrawing

• Gently connect with inner child parts that carry unmet needs or old roles

• Use grounding, breath, or small movements to create a sense of safety

• Reflect on how old patterns may be shifting—and what you want to grow into

You’re always in charge of the pace. Whether we’re talking things through, focusing on the body, or weaving both together, the process is collaborative and attuned to you. The goal is to help both your mind and body feel more connected, supported, and empowered.