Somatic Therapy (Body Centered)

I am trained through the intermediate level in Somatic Experiencing (SE) trauma resolution, and I will complete my advanced level and the 3 year training program with Somatic Experiencing International, earning my Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) certification, in early 2025.

I have trained extensively in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) and am a certified facilitator. I am also trained as a Yoga teacher. In addition, I have completed training in Dance Movement Therapy as well as Laban Movement Analysis.

I have been a massage therapist for 30 years and found my way to Pyschotherapy as a result of the many emotional experiences that the body released during with newborns and their parents with CranioSacral therapy. I found that the implicit memories that keep people stuck can be accessed with or without the story being shared to be released and healed in the body and the mind.

Body Psychotherapy and Movement Therapy go beyond traditional “talk therapy” as these specialized approaches offer mindful consideration to the crucial role of the body structure and process of the psyche. During a session, I pay close attention to sensation and body states, which allow unconscious material to authentically manifest and possibly be worked with using breath, spatial awareness, consented therapeutic touch, movement, sensation, and imagery.

A lot my grad school coursework was based on somatic practices. I also, have a Hakomi Level 1 certification. My masters thesis was on The Implications of Reiki Integrated Psychotherapy. I have taken many seminars in mindfulness and have a certification from John F. Kennedy University in Buddhist Psychology.

My approach is based on my perspective that the deep wisdom of your own body can help resolve many of your challenges. By harnessing your movement, sensations, and breath, you can learn to access parts of yourself that exist beneath your consciousness. In doing so, you will be able to re-experience yourself in ways beyond your old stories—and, help you learn, grow, and heal.

I found my way to Pyschotherapy as a result of many clients emotional experiences as a massage/ CranioSacral therapist. So many clients were having emotional releases and needed help to process them, so I became a therapist. What does somatic therapy mean and look like? Implicit memories (the ones without a movie in our head) that ares stored in the body keep people stuck. These memories can be released and accessed with or without the story being shared to heal the body and the mind.

I have trained in multiple somatic therapeutic modalities including Hakomi, Integral Somatic Psychology (an offshoot of Somatic Experiencing), Ray Castellino's Prenatal and Birth Trauma work, and Resmaa Menakem's Somatic Abolitionism work.

Peter Levine's "Somatic Experiencing" work is the core from which most of my interventions extend. I continue to assist these trainings around the country and have taken various master classes with Peter. (www.traumahealing.org) Additionally, I'm trained in Somatic Resilience & Regulation work which is a touch based model for developmental trauma developed by Kathy Kain & Steve Terrell and their book is called "Nurturing Resilience". My graduate training was in "Somatic Psychotherapy" from JFK

Somatic Experiencing™ Professional Training through Somatic Experiencing™ International, Level II Masters of Counseling in Somatic Psychotherapy

I am trained in Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Brainspotting. I am certified in Safe and Sound Protocol as well.

Somatic therapy incorporates the intelligent healing power of the body into the therapy room. A neuroscientifically researched approach, somatic therapy reaches well beyond the limitations of "talk therapy". This approach moves into the realm of how our bodies have processed wellbeing, stress and trauma throughout our lives and incorporates experimenting with : breath, movement, alignment and other "bottom-up" interventions to aid the progress of healing.

Most of the trauma-resolution modalities I work in are body based, and supporting my clients to return to their bodies as a safe place and secure base are integral in my work. I love supporting my clients to increase their capacity to track their bodily awareness and integrate this information into their more global self-awareness.

I believe that most mental health issues are the result of our limbic brains working to keep us safe. Limbic brains don't understand logic, but they do understand stories and metaphors. I believe that change, at the limbic level, must include connecting to our bodies in new ways and that the most direct pathway of communication to the limbic brain is through bodily sensations. I use my training in tantric healing and in Somatic Experiencing to help guide you to healing.

My practice is informed by Somatic Experiencing.

With a certification in somatic trauma therapy from The Embody Lab, I understand how trauma and stress can manifest physically in the body. Through body-centered techniques, I will help you become more aware of your bodily sensations, emotions, and responses. This approach allows us to process experiences at a deeper level, fostering healing and resilience while empowering you to reclaim your body’s wisdom and integrate your emotional experiences.

Somatic Psychology (body mind psychotherapy, body-oriented psychotherapy, etc.) is a holistic form of therapy that respects and utilizes the powerful connection between body, mind, and spirit. How we are in this world, how we relate to ourselves and others, is not just purely about the mind or our thoughts, but it is also deeply rooted in our bodies and our spirits. Unlike traditional talk therapy or cognitive therapy, Somatic Psychology tends to be more experiential.

I use somatic awareness and yoga therapy.

Often, we live life "from the neck up," causing us to miss out on the body's healing potential. Drawing upon my expertise as a trauma-informed yoga teacher, we'll tap into your body's innate wisdom. Together, we'll cultivate a profound connection with your body, fostering self-understanding and facilitating a more profound healing experience.