Somatic & Body-Based Therapies
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy focuses on the connection between the mind and body, recognizing that stress, trauma, and emotions are often stored physically in the nervous system and body, not just the mind.
Rather than relying solely on talk therapy and cognitive processing, somatic therapy gently integrates body awareness—cultivating focus on bodily sensations, movement, breath, and nervous system responses. This approach supports regulation, safety, and healing by helping the body complete responses that may have been interrupted during stressful or overwhelming experiences.
Somatic therapy is especially helpful for clients who feel “stuck,” disconnected from their bodies, or overwhelmed by emotions that do not respond to cognitive processing alone.
Many overwhelming, stressful, life-changing, or traumatic experiences are processed too quickly or intensely for the brain to fully integrate in the moment. When this happens, the body may hold protective responses such as tension, hypervigilance, numbness, or shutdown. Talk therapy alone can increase insight, but insight doesn’t always resolve these physical patterns.
Somatic therapy helps bridge that gap.
Why Somatic Therapy Matters
Trauma Lives in the Body
- Developmental & Childhood: neglect, abuse, attachment wounds, chronic stress
- Chronic or Complex (C-PTSD): ongoing exposure to unsafe environments leading to nervous system dysregulation
- Trauma Without Clear Memories: feeling “off” without a specific event
- Medical or Physical Trauma: surgeries, accidents, chronic illness, childbirth
- Shock / Single Incident: accidents, disasters, sudden loss
- High-Functioning Trauma: appearing “fine” while living in survival mode
Supports Nervous System Regulation
- Helps shift out of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn
- Creates a gentle, client-led, at-your-own-pace path to safety
Restores Safety and Connection
- Rebuilds trust in body sensations
- Helps you feel present, grounded, and in control
- Closes the gap of disconnection from the body
Healing Without Reliving Trauma
- No need to retell painful events
- Focuses on what is happening in the body now
Creates Sustainable Change
- Works directly with the nervous system
- Creates deeper, longer-lasting shifts
Whole-Body Somatic Approaches We Use
Brainspotting
Rooted in neuroscience and attachment theory, developed by Dr. David Grand.
- Gentle yet powerful brain-based processing
- Specific eye positions access unprocessed experiences
- No detailed storytelling required
- Work happens beneath conscious awareness
- Supports nervous system regulation
- Respects the body’s natural healing rhythms
What Sessions Are Like
- Calm, quiet, internally focused
- Client-led and resourced
- May notice warmth, tingling, emotional shifts
- Therapist supports pacing and safety
- No need to analyze—brain integrates naturally
After sessions, clients often feel lighter, relaxed, and emotionally settled.
Polyvagal Therapy
- Nervous system-centered approach developed by Dr. Stephen Porges
- Helps gently shift stress responses
- Builds safety and connection
- Increases resilience and emotional regulation
What Sessions Are Like
- Collaborative and paced
- Tracking sensations and states
- Grounding and regulation practices
- Body-based awareness integration
Somatic-Based Hypnotherapy
A gentle therapeutic approach supporting healing at the level of the nervous system by accessing subconscious patterns in a state of focused awareness.
Supports:
- Anxiety, panic, overwhelm
- Trauma, grief, loss
- Sleep difficulties
- Chronic pain and tension
- Confidence and self-esteem
Sessions Include:
- Deep relaxation
- Internal focus
- Client control at all times
- Collaborative pacing
Trauma-Informed Yoga, Breathwork & Movement
Not performance-based. Focused on restoring safety through mindful body awareness, grounding, and nervous system regulation.
- Gentle movement
- Breath awareness
- Grounding practices
- Stillness and intuitive flow
- No prior experience required
Additional Healing Services
Reconnect With Your Body’s Wisdom
Support your nervous system.
Release tension. Restore balance. Feel fully alive.
Schedule your somatic therapy session today.
Request An Appointment
WEEKENDS: BY APPOINTMENT
Ellen B.
