What is somatic psychotherapy?

“How does Somatic Psychotherapy differ from traditional talk therapy?
The road to permanent change is not found in our voices and stories alone; it is in sensing our bodies. ”

A Holistic Approach to Healing: Integrating Body, Mind, and Trauma Processing

As a practitioner of somatic psychotherapy, I advocate for a deeply holistic approach that honors the profound connection between the mind and body. Over the past thirty years, we’ve come to understand that trauma isn’t just a psychological wound—it is stored in the body. Trauma may stem from a single catastrophic event, prolonged exposure to toxic dynamics, or even from the subtle, repeated act of putting others' needs before our own.

When we experience trauma, our brains change to accommodate the overwhelming input we’ve absorbed. These shifts can influence our thoughts, memories, beliefs, and perceptions of the world. In turn, patterns form in the nervous system—leading to fixed mindsets, persistent fear, emotional disconnection, and hopelessness.

The journey of somatic therapy begins by sensing what we feel in our bodies and connecting those sensations to the brain’s patterns—such as memory, loss avoidance, and aversion. From there, we practice reminding the brain of what we truly want and need. Though the work can be challenging, it happens within a safe, supportive space—where individuals can begin to face and process the moments they find themselves replaying over and over again. Here, we learn to find comfort even in discomfort.

With over 20 years of experience in massage therapy, I offer a unique and integrative approach that combines hands-on modalities—such as massage and Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapy—with somatic treatment. Sessions might include focused bodywork on areas of physical discomfort, cranial sacral support for processing intense sensations, or seated somatic dialogue to explore bodily experience and emotional awareness. There are many ways to guide a client safely into their body, helping to release long-held trauma patterns.

No two clients are the same. Somatic therapy is a personal, evolving process, and we will collaborate to discover the modalities that work best for you—based on your needs, your body, and what each day brings.

My approach is rooted in a wide range of trauma-informed methods, including:

  • Somatic Experiencing

  • Somatic Trauma Release

  • Neuroplasticity exercises

  • Mindfulness practices

  • Internal Family Systems

  • Body-Mind Centering

  • Biodynamic Cranial Sacral Therapy

  • Reiki and Meditation

This integrative lens allows for a comprehensive and compassionate path toward healing—one that honors your story, your body, and your capacity for transformation.

The disorders Somatic psychotherapy can help with are:

ANXIETY/ANXIETY ATTACKS

FIXED STUCK BELIEF PATTERNS THAT INTERFERE WITH OUR CAREER AND RELATIONSHIPS

PTSD

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA

DIVORCE

MOLESTATION/RAPE

EATING DISORDERS/OVEREATING

GREIF DEATH OF A SPOUSE, FRIEND, PET

MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS AND THOUGHTS

DEPRESSION

A free consultation is the best place to start.

Call me to set up an online or in-person interview.

719-201-1243

Founders of this work:

Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk- The Body Keeps the Score

Somatic Experiencing-Dr. Peter Levine- Awaken the Tiger Within

Dr. Stephen Porges- The Polyvagal Theory

Pat Ogden-Trauma and the body-a Sensorimotor Approach to Psychotherapy

James Finley PhD- Transforming Trauma

Paul Conti, M.D.-Trauma The Invisible Epidemic