Do I have to do breathing exercises or meditation?

Not at all. Body-based work is about building awareness of what’s happening in your body — not following a script. We go at your pace, and nothing is required. Some people find breathwork helpful; others prefer simply noticing sensations as we talk. We’ll find what works for you.

What if I feel disconnected from my body?

That disconnection is incredibly common, especially for people who’ve experienced trauma or chronic stress. Feeling numb or “not in your body” isn’t a barrier to this work; it’s often exactly where we start. We build that connection slowly and safely, together.

Is trauma-focused therapy going to make me feel worse before I feel better?

It’s a fair concern. Trauma-focused therapy is not about re-living painful events. It’s about processing them in a way that builds safety and stability first. We move at a pace that feels manageable, and you’re always in the driver’s seat. Many people feel a sense of relief rather than overwhelm.

How is somatic therapy different from regular talk therapy?

Talk therapy works primarily through language and insight. Somatic therapy adds attention to the body – noticing where tension lives, how your breathing shifts, what physical sensations show up when you talk about something difficult. It’s especially helpful when you feel like you “know” something intellectually but can’t quite feel the shift yet.

Therapeutic Approaches

Every person heals differently, so I don't rely on just one method. Here's a look at the therapeutic approaches I draw from, and what each one actually looks like in session. If you're curious which combination might fit you, I'd love to talk it through.

Body-Based Approaches

For healing what words alone can't always reach.

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Emotions don’t just live in your mind – they live in your body too. Somatic work helps you tune into physical sensations (tension, tightness, numbness) as a pathway to healing what words alone can’t always reach.

In session, this looks like

Pausing to notice where you feel anxiety in your body, breathing into it, and learning to release stored stress rather than just talking about it.

MINDFULNESS THERAPY

Teaches you to relate to your thoughts and feelings differently, observing them with curiosity rather than being swept away by them. Builds a calmer, more grounded relationship with your inner world.

In session, this looks like

Learning to notice “there’s that anxious thought again” without spiraling, creating space between what you feel and how you respond.

TRAUMA-FOCUSED THERAPY

Designed for healing the lasting effects of difficult or overwhelming experiences. Helps you process what happened at a pace that feels safe – so the past no longer has the same hold on your present.

In session, this looks like

Moving through painful memories with support and structure, building safety in your body and mind, and reclaiming your sense of self.

thoughtful-person-journaling-sunlit-room-0a776b5c.jpg.webp

Cognitive Approaches

For untangling the thoughts that keep you stuck.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY(CBT)

Explores the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You’ll learn to notice unhelpful thinking patterns and gently shift them – so your inner voice starts working for you, not against you.

In session, this looks like

Noticing a thought like “I always mess things up,” examining where it comes from, and finding a more balanced way to see the situation.

Relational Approaches

For understanding the connections that shape who you are.

ATTACHMENT THEORY

Looks at the early relationships that shaped how you connect with others today. Understanding your attachment patterns can help you build more secure, fulfilling relationships and understanding why certain dynamics feel so familiar.

In session, this looks like

Exploring why you pull away when things get close, or why conflict triggers an outsized fear of abandonment and tracing those patterns back to their roots.

HUMANISTIC THERAPY

Grounded in the belief that you have an innate capacity for growth and self-understanding. Focuses on your full potential, helping you live more authentically and meaningfully rather than diagnosing what’s “wrong.”

In session, this looks like

Exploring your values, your sense of purpose, and what it would mean to live in greater alignment with who you truly are.

PERSON-CENTERED THERAPY

You are the expert on your own life. This approach creates a warm, non-judgmental space where you lead – at your own pace, in your own direction. The therapist offers deep presence and unconditional support, not direction or fixes.

In session, this looks like

Being truly heard without advice or agenda – a space to think out loud and arrive at your own insights with a supportive witness beside you.

Frequently asked questions

Body-Based Approaches

Cognitive Approaches

Relational Approaches