What to Expect in a Somatic Session

A somatic session is not about "fixing" you, forcing emotional releases, or uncovering trauma memories. It is about helping your nervous system learn new patterns of safety, connection, and resilience.

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Many people come to therapy wanting to get rid of anxiety, stress, overwhelm, or old trauma responses. While these experiences can shift over time, healing is rarely a one-session "release" or magic pill. Lasting change happens through gentle, consistent experiences that help your brain and body update old predictions and associations that may no longer serve you.

Together, we begin by building an understanding of your nervous system and how it relates to your unique experiences.

 

This process, often called neuroeducation, helps explain why you might react, think, feel, or behave in certain ways. Research shows that simply understanding how the nervous system works can reduce stress and increase a sense of self-compassion and control.

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Our work combines both "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches. Top-down approaches involve understanding, awareness, and reflection. Bottom-up approaches involve paying attention to the body's sensations, movements, impulses, and nervous system responses. When these two approaches are integrated, the brain and body can begin working together rather than feeling disconnected from one another.

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Throughout the session, I guide you through a trauma-sensitive framework that helps you build interoception, the ability to notice and understand what is happening inside your body. This may include awareness of sensations, emotions, tension patterns, breathing, movement, or other bodily cues.

As your awareness grows, your nervous system has opportunities to update old patterns and create new pathways through neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to change and adapt throughout life. Rather than pushing for cathartic releases, we focus on creating experiences that are manageable, resourcing, and sustainable.

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The relationship itself is also an important part of the process. A regulated, attuned nervous system can help support another nervous system in finding greater regulation and safety. My role is to walk alongside you, offering education, practical tools, and gentle guidance as you learn to reconnect with your body's wisdom and capacity for healing.

 

Each session is tailored to your needs, pace, and goals. The aim is not to become someone different, but to help you feel more connected to yourself, more resilient in the face of life's challenges, and more able to respond rather than react.

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Registration – Complete a form, which you can find here so I can learn about your goals and needs. Together we’ll arrange your first consultation, either online or in person. If I feel another service might be a better fit, I’ll refer you.

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Initial Consultation (1–2 hrs $150-200 ) – We begin with a conversation about the nervous system and stress responses, then explore grounding tools (what I call Base Camp). These resources help your system feel safe before moving into deeper healing. A Vagal Flow massage or Reiki can be added for $50.

 

Follow-Up Sessions (1 hr $50-100 tiered pricing) – Book when ready. Each session builds on your nervous system capacity and integration and release of blockages stored within the body. Learn about tiered pricing here

 

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