my approach 

Many of us become lost in this life because we’ve become disconnected from our internal compasses: the inner physical cues and instincts that tell us what we need and want, what is right and wrong for us as individuals. Through relational and cultural harm we become conditioned to fear, override, control, or ignore the body, leaving us cut off from its wisdom.

So, how do we relearn how to listen to the body?

At the most foundational level, the body speaks to us through the way that our nervous systems respond to perceived threat and safety. When fearful, the body wants to hide or speed up or fight or collapse. In safety, the body feels free to expand, slow down, soften, and be present in the senses. And these physical states prompt corresponding emotions and thoughts, worldviews and senses of self.

The therapeutic approaches I draw from offer ways to shift the state of the nervous system from survival states into thriving states. In session, we practice this state shifting so that over time your body, heart, and mind become more used to experiencing ease, presence, and vitality. We listen to sensation and impulses and might use movement, breath, imagery, or relationship to resource the body. We find ways to gently allow attachment or survival impulses that are stuck on repeat to “complete” themselves so that over time the body experiences a newfound safety. Sometimes during this kind of work, energy is released as grief or a light shaking.

In somatic therapy, change happens through new felt experience—of self or relationship—as opposed to through cognitive insight alone.

So, what do sessions look like?

The content of a session looks different person to person. Sessions are collaborative and led by what your specific body needs. Typically there is some combination of verbal sharing and discussion, tracking feelings and needs in the body, and/or embodied trauma processing through movement or imagery. No matter where your system leads us in session, there will always be space for all of you—and for all of what it is to be human. We will honor fear, shame, and darkness, but we will keep joy, playfulness, and humor close at hand.

In general, we start by getting to know each other and building awareness of the body. We do this by slowing down and drawing the attention inward. We practice a type of mindfulness that focuses on increasing your ability to perceive the richness of your inner sensations—those that tell you who you are and what you need. We also identify which resources help your nervous system access safety and pleasure.

If desired, we might add in the deep work of befriending your inner child; moving through developmental trauma and relational fear; discovering self love and body love; rooting into deeper forms of identity, belonging, and trust; building capacity for big emotions; honing access to your inner knowing so that you can connect with the unique gifts you have to offer a world in great transition.

What do you mean by “holistic” somatic therapy?

I believe that it’s vital to healing to remember that our bodies exist in context. Our lives as humans are interwoven with each other’s and our bodies are both part of nature and impacted by culture.

Some people find that when they start to listen to their bodies, they start to feel more connected to the natural world. This ecological perspective can help make some of our suffering as modern humans make more sense. In session, if it feels right for you, we might practice grounding to the land beneath you. Or you might discover that there is a favorite natural place you bring to mind that can hold your grief or offer wisdom.

Our bodies and minds are also, of course, deeply impacted by society—by white supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, and other facets of dominator culture. As a therapist, it’s important to me to remain ever curious about how these realities shape both my clients and me. In session, I take the impact of these systems into account and we find ways to create more embodied freedom for you within them.

I live and work on the unceded ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people, specifically the Duwamish Tribe and the Snoqualmie Tribe. Click here to learn how you can support the Duwamish Tribe. To learn about supporting the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement, click here.

It's important to note that even though we all have ancestors who at some point had somatic healing practices, somatics as a current field of study often lifts from Indigenous embodied healing methods with little acknowledgement or reciprocity.

Hakomi, one of the approaches I integrate, originates in studies of Buddhism and Taoism. Another, Somatic Experiencing, is a scientific approach that draws on studies of shamans and indigenous healers throughout the world.

Black, Indigenous, and communities of color continue these somatic healing practices today, despite legacies of colonization. Check out The Embodiment Institute's Black Embodiment Initiative, and consider joining me in supporting their amazing work.