Embodied Social Work

Somatic work is a body-centered approach to healing that recognizes the profound connection between mind and body. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses primarily on thoughts and emotions, somatic interventions directly engage with physical sensations, movement patterns, and nervous system states. By working with the body's innate wisdom, somatic approaches help address trauma, stress, and emotional challenges that are stored in the body, not just the mind.

Not at all! Many clients come to somatic work with limited body awareness, and developing this connection is actually part of the process. I meet you wherever you are in your journey and provide gentle guidance to help you build your capacity for embodied awareness at a pace that feels comfortable and safe for you.

Traditional talk therapy primarily engages the cognitive, thinking part of your brain. While this can be valuable and is typically used in conjuction with somatic interventions, talk therapy alone sometimes misses the physical aspects of our experiences - especially with trauma, which affects our nervous system and bodily responses. Somatic approaches integrate body awareness, movement, breath, and nervous system regulation with cognitive understanding, creating a more comprehensive pathway to healing. This bottom up approach can often lead to deeper, more sustainable change than talk therapy alone.

No, and this is one of the key benefits of somatic work. Rather than requiring detailed retelling of traumatic experiences, which can sometimes be retraumatizing, somatic approaches focus on how trauma manifests in your body today. We work with present-moment sensations, movement patterns, and nervous system responses, allowing healing to occur without necessarily revisiting the specifics of difficult experiences.

Absolutely! Somatic work is adaptable to all bodies and abilities. The foundation of this approach is connecting with sensation and building awareness, which can be done in any position and with any level of mobility. I tailor all interventions to meet your specific needs and physical abilities, whether that means seated practices, micro-movements, or even visualization techniques. Many clients with chronic pain, limited mobility, or disabilities find somatic approaches particularly valuable because they emphasize working with the body you have, rather than imposing external standards of movement or ability.

I understand that time is precious, and somatic work is designed to integrate into your life, not add another burden. Many of the most effective somatic techniques take only minutes to practice and can be incorporated into daily activities you're already doing. While regular sessions support deeper change, we'll focus on practical, accessible tools that fit your lifestyle. Many clients report noticing subtle shifts after just a few sessions, though more sustainable changes typically develop over time. Remember that even brief moments of embodied awareness throughout your day can create meaningful change in your nervous system regulation and overall well-being.