Somatic Therapy

“Somatics” are the lived experiences of our bodies. As the growing field of research indicates, our bodies record our experiences and keep the score. (Re)embodiment practices guide us to to gain a better understanding of our awareness, interpretation, perception, and insight of how we know what we feel and know. When we become more aware of the subtle patterns that exist within our bodies, we can choose to reorganize them to gain access to a greater sense of ease. (Re)embodiment means developing the capacity to be comfortable in your own skin again so that you can calmly pay attention to the harmony of your internal and external sensory experience while simultaneously pay attention to others. Only by connecting viscerally with yourself can you gain a sense of who you are, your priorities, and your values. 

Working collaboratively with the wisdom and plasticity of your own body, we will slowly untie and release unneeded physiological and procedural energy (trauma knots) embedded within your nervous system so your attention can be redirected toward other purposes. By resetting and expanding your nervous system’s responses, day-to-day life can feel less overwhelming and exhausting, and access to joy, vitality, connection, trust, physical energy, and rest increases. Sessions may include mindfulness practices, breath work, Somatic Experiencing®, Rhythmic Movement (RMTi)©, and Transforming Touch® techniques, supportive touch, and movement (previous experience with yoga is not required). Somatic Experiencing® is an evidence-based neuroscientific approach to healing trauma and adverse life experiences that focuses on the release of bodily tensions and nervous system activation without the explicit retelling of the traumatic or adverse events. Rhythmic Movement (RMTi)© is a primitive (infant or neo-natal) reflex integration program that uses developmental movements, gentle isometric pressure and self-awareness to rebuild the foundations necessary to help overcome learning, sensory, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Transforming Touch® is an attachment-focused, neurophysiological touch treatment for healing non-verbal developmental trauma bound up in the layers of the body.

Leisure Counselling

Life stages and transitions can be hard to balance whether you are going off to school, raising a family, living alone, becoming an empty nester, in recovery, or about to retire. Perhaps you find yourself with either too little or too much free time. Collaboratively, we uncover how to bring freedom, choice, meaning, purpose, a sense of identity, intrinsic motivation, belonging, enjoyment, and fun into your weekly schedule. Because no two people are alike, a personalized plan that address your needs, wants, strengths, unique attributes, and values will unfold. Sessions will focus on your goals, interests, motivations, barriers, and resources, and include a therapeutic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of your leisure lifestyle. Experiential learning and exposure therapy may be included.