Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Somatic therapy brings attention to how you experience life through your thoughts, emotions, and body.
You may understand why something is painful and still find yourself bracing, going quiet, or feeling overwhelmed. My approach integrates Somatic Experiencing, attachment theory, and relational therapy to explore these responses and support greater choice in how you respond.
We begin with what brings you to therapy, what you hope will change, and what already helps you feel supported. Alongside conversation, I may invite you to notice sensations such as muscle tension, warmth, changes in breathing, or moments of ease. This awareness of your internal experience is called interoception. My work builds on six years of experience supporting individuals as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
An integrated approach
- Somatic Experiencing
- Noticing sensations in your body, built on six years as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.
- Attachment Theory
- How earlier relationships shaped your expectations of closeness, support, and belonging.
- Relational Therapy
- What happens between us becomes a place to practice expressing needs and addressing misunderstandings.
What a session can look like
- 1
Begin with you
What brings you here, what you hope will change, and what already helps you feel supported.
- 2
Notice inside
Alongside conversation, gently notice sensations as you talk.
- 3
Slow down
Pause, explore what you are feeling, and notice what helps you remain present.
- 4
See your patterns
Staying quiet, anticipating others' needs, or withdrawing, in family and cultural context.
- 5
Practice together
Express a need, disagree, receive support, or address a misunderstanding.
Interoception
Awareness of your internal experience. You might notice:
- Muscle tension
- Warmth
- Changes in breathing
- Moments of ease
Staying present
When your shoulders tighten or you feel an urge to pull away, we might try:
- Looking around the room
- Feeling the support of the chair
- Recalling a comforting connection
- No physical touch
- Somatic work in my practice does not involve touch.
- Always your choice
- You choose whether to participate in any invitation.
- At your pace
- Opportunities to pause or change direction.
Slowing Down Together
For example, while discussing a difficult conversation, you might notice your shoulders tightening or an urge to pull away. We can slow down, explore what you are feeling, and notice what helps you remain present. That might involve looking around the room, feeling the support of the chair, or recalling a comforting connection. We approach difficult experiences gradually, with opportunities to pause or change direction. Somatic work in my practice does not involve physical touch.
Attachment and Relationship
Attachment theory helps us explore how earlier relationships shaped your expectations of closeness, support, and belonging. You may have learned to stay quiet, anticipate others' needs, or withdraw when connection feels uncertain. Together, we consider the meaning of these patterns in your life, including your family and cultural context.
Our therapeutic relationship is also part of the work. What happens between us can offer opportunities to practice expressing a need, disagreeing, receiving support, or addressing a misunderstanding. I welcome your feedback and pay attention to how our pace and approach feel to you.
Trauma, Grief, and Life Transitions
For trauma-related concerns, our goals may include recognizing overwhelm earlier and using coping skills with more intention. With grief, including the loss of an animal companion, we can attend to sadness, numbness, longing, and the ways loss changes daily life. During life transitions, we may explore uncertainty, identity, boundaries, and what you want going forward. Across these concerns, I aim to support your ability to articulate your experience and respond more flexibly in relationships.
You can choose whether to participate in any invitation to notice your body. We adjust the work together, guided by your needs and goals, while making space for connection, meaning, and moments of joy.
I offer individual therapy for adults 18 and older in Westlake Village and online throughout California. Individual sessions are $200 for 50 minutes. A consultation can help us explore whether this approach fits what you are seeking.
Looking for individual therapy?
See how one-on-one sessions work.
Ready to take a first step?
A consultation is a brief conversation to see whether working together feels right. No forms, no commitment.