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.

Relationships | Sorenson Counseling

Interpersonal Growth & Connection

Human connection is the cornerstone of a healthy life. By addressing the root of interpersonal challenges, we empower ourselves to foster environments where mutual respect and understanding can truly flourish.

Understanding our patterns can change how we connect, with others and with ourselves.

ONLINE COUNSELING FOR ADULTS IN COLORADO, TENNESSEE, AND FLORIDA

Navigating relationship dynamics

Maybe you keep ending up in the same painful dynamic and can't quite see why. Maybe you pull away when someone gets close, or feel a fear of being left that seems bigger than the moment calls for. Maybe things look fine from the outside and still feel lonely on the inside. The way we connect was shaped long before now, and once you understand those patterns, they stop running the show.

Whether you are navigating a transition, seeking to resolve conflict, or simply wish to deepen your connection, our approach is grounded in empathy and scholarly insight.

Repeating Dynamics

The same conflicts or dynamics repeating across relationships.

Hard to Trust

Difficulty trusting or feeling safe enough to be fully yourself.

When the same patterns keep finding you

Relational patterns show up in all kinds of ways. People often reach out because they notice one or more of the following.

This work is about more than romantic relationships. It includes family, friendships, work, and the relationship you have with yourself.

Pulling Away

Pulling away or shutting down when things get close.

People-Pleasing

People-pleasing or losing yourself in relationships.

Fear of Being Left Behind

A fear of being abandoned that feels bigger than the situation.

Self-Criticism

A strained relationship with yourself—self-criticism and low self-worth.

How I help you identify relational patterns

Relational patterns usually trace back to the early relationships that shaped how you connect today. Understanding those patterns can help you see why certain dynamics feel so familiar, and build more secure, fulfilling connections going forward. We might explore where a pattern comes from when that's useful, but the focus stays on what's happening now and where you want to go. Sometimes we will also notice how these patterns live in your body, in the pull to withdraw or the flash of fear when someone gets close.

More about the approaches I use →

What our work together looks like

You are the expert on your own life and relationships, and I will follow your lead. Together we will get curious about the patterns you find yourself in, with honesty and without judgment. I will offer observations and name what I'm noticing, and sometimes a gentle challenge, because you deserve honesty and not just comfort.

The goal is not to blame anyone, including yourself. It's to understand, so you can choose differently.

What healing can look like

As you understand your patterns, connection starts to feel different. Over time, the work can look like:

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Recognizing a pattern before it runs the show

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Staying present and open when things get close, instead of pulling away

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More secure, more honest connections with the people who matter

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Setting boundaries without guilt, and asking for what you need

A kinder, steadier relationship with yourself

Meaningful and secure connections are within your reach as we untangle the old patterns together to make room for lasting intimacy and self-trust.

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I'm Trista Sorenson, a licensed therapist working with adults across Colorado, Tennessee, and Florida. I offer individual therapy, which means our work centers entirely on you: your patterns, your needs, and the connections you want to build.

Relationships & Interpersonal Growth FAQ

Individual therapy can meaningfully improve your relationships by helping you understand your own patterns, needs, and reactions. This practice offers individual therapy, where the focus is on you and how you connect. Many people find that as they change, their relationships shift too.

No, you do not have to talk about your childhood. Relational work can explore the past when it helps explain a current pattern, but the focus stays on what is happening now and where you want to go. Nothing is required, and you always set the pace.

Yes, relational therapy helps even without a specific relationship problem. It's about understanding yourself in connection with others, including your sense of worth and your relationship with yourself. Many people find this work deeply relevant when nothing is obviously wrong, just quietly unfulfilling.

Yes, this practice is fully telehealth and available to clients located anywhere in Colorado, Tennessee, and Florida. Sessions are 50 minutes by secure video, so you can do this work from wherever you feel most comfortable.