Online Somatic Therapy
Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
“ To be disconnected from our body is to be disconnected from ourself.”
Lisa Olivera
You survived the traumas of your past. Now, it’s time to release the pain, and to feel safe in your body and mind.
Unlike many other mental health therapies that focuses primarily on thoughts and behaviour, Somatic Therapy - also known as either Somatic Experiencing or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - incorporates mind-body techniques to help process and release how a physical body holds on to stress, tension and trauma.
Rather than just talking about challenges, Somatic Therapists guide you to focus on the underlying physical sensations you feel in your body. From there, mind-body techniques may include breath work, movement awareness, grounding and other types of sensation awareness work.
Your Somatic therapist will provide the support you need to recover.
Studies of Somatic Therapy have found it to be an effective treatment for a number of the above issues. We now understand that trauma’s imprint is both psychological and nervous system (relating to or affecting the body). Memories are stored somatically in the nervous system long after the traumatic events are over and the body continues to respond as if danger were ever present.
Trauma symptoms may manifest in body aches, headaches, nausea, and other symptoms. Note that the term “trauma” is used vastly in this context and can range from trauma caused by a traumatic event - like a physical illness, abuse, or car accident - or a mental health condition such as depression.
The body holds trauma in its muscles and tissues, in its biochemistry, in its neural connections. Therefore, healing pain must involve working with the body, and not just the mind. Somatic Therapy will guide you to increase somatic (body) awareness so you can listen to all the ways your body communicates with you. As you learn to listen or attune to your body you will: become more aware of and responsive to your needs; feel more grounded; increase your resilience during stressful events and find a sense of safety in your own body.
Our somatically trained, licensed therapists can help you understand and process your trauma so you can start to release the pain in your body and mind through these Somatic Therapy Techniques:
Body awareness
Grounding
Movement
Meditation
Emotional release
Strengthening boundaries
When pain disrupts or overtakes your life, therapy is a productive way to help you cope and deal with what is holding you back. Therapy is a means to realize that you are not the sum of your pain. Once you can observe your own thoughts and emotions objectively, you are no longer controlled by them, and then you can start healing.
Our somatic therapists are all trained in either Somatic Experiencing or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
Some of what Somatic Therapy can help with:
PTSD & CPTSD
Chronic illness and medical issues
Panic & Anxiety Disorders
Dissociative disorders
Stress
Grief and Loss
Attachment Disorders
Substance Use & Struggles
Chronic Pain
Eating Disorders
and others
Or, let us help you find that right therapist fit.
The form takes less than 60 seconds to complete, and we’ll reach out with a couple of options for a free 20 minute consultation.
We promise to nurture a space to help you feel secure - as you are - so you can explore your difficulties and work to manage or overcome them.
We view counselling as a joint process between you and your therapist working towards a common goal — to empower change and improve the quality of your life — both now and in the future.
As mental health care professionals, our purpose is to help you find your ground, enhance your courage to identify your obstacles, help you find the path to processing and discover opportunities for growth along the way.
We will look at your current situation more in-depth to help you understand what’s holding you back and what’s causing you to feel so overwhelmed and stuck. From there we will get to the heart of your difficulties, make a plan, and help you develop the skills to increase your resiliency so you can better manage or resolve what’s troubling you.
Our goal is that by the end of our sessions you will not only have found relief, but you will feel empowered to boldly grow forward towards the life you want.
Online Therapy Guide
It’s important to acknowledge that you might be feeling extra stress at the notion of starting therapy. This is completely normal and a sign that you care about your mental health. The best way to relieve your worry is to prepare ahead of time. That’s why we’ve created our FREE Online Therapy Guide and put together some helpful tips so you can see whether online therapy is right for you.