go beyond traditional talk therapy.

Somatic Experiencing Therapy in Nashville.

Gentle but Powerful Nervous System Regulation

Approved session-provider for Beginning Level Somatic Experiencing students

Unresolved hurt and chronic stress can leave us feeling disconnected.

Lately, you notice yourself replaying past conflict, reliving old pain, and reacting in the present in ways that don’t seem to make sense. When you look at your surroundings and the people you care about, you know that you’re safe, but somehow your body doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo. Survival mode feels like your default, and you’re either constantly monitoring for threat, or you find yourself shutting down and numbing more than you’re okay with.

It’s showing up as…

The constant hum of dread that convinces you to isolate yourself from your tribe

Knowing the change you want to make, but feeling frozen or stuck

Difficulty identifying needs and setting boundaries

Sometimes talking about it seems to help...

But then there are times where it seems like no matter how much you process what’s going on or what happened, you still have a hard time staying in the present moment or finding calm and ease.

You try to convince yourself that it’s “all in your head,” but your body (i.e. your racing brain, the stress tension in your shoulder, your crabby gut…) seems to be saying something very different.

What is Somatic Experiencing?

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a mind-body approach to working with trauma and chronic stress that focuses on restoring the body’s innate capacity for self-regulation. It is based on the understanding that trauma and chronic stress can become stuck in the body, leading to a variety of physical, emotional, and physiological symptoms. And it enhances our capacity for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and self-compassion, leading to improved relationships, increased resilience, and an overall sense of empowerment and well-being.

In our sessions we won’t just work with what’s stuck; you’ll also learn ways to increase your resilience and restore balance to your nervous system. The process of SE is gentle and keeps pace with your own body and nervous system so that you don’t become flooded or overwhelmed

I don’t have secret tricks and I don’t rely on techniques that only work in our sessions. Everything we do is useable in your daily life and I’m always more than happy to clarify why we’re doing what we’re doing.

  • Somatic Experiencing (SE) is rooted in the understanding that trauma is stored in the body. Through gentle exploration of bodily sensations, we will tap into the body's natural healing process to allow for the release stored trauma energy. By addressing the physiological responses to trauma, this approach helps individuals restore a sense of overall well-being and resilience.

  • Each somatic experiencing session is tailored to your unique needs and experiences. We’ll start by learning how to tune into and track the subtle cues and sensations of your body. Through gentle exploration and guided exercises, we'll work to release trauma and accumulated stress.

  • Clients report various outcomes after SE sessions, which can include: decreased physical symptoms, increased body awareness and ability to regulate emotions, enhanced resilience and safety, along with a greater sense of vitality and aliveness.

“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside
in the absence of an empathic witness”

Peter Levine, developer of Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing can help you:

Overcome anxiety and stress

Unlock the tools to regulate your nervous system, enabling you to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease and resilience.

Heal from trauma

Safely process and integrate traumatic experiences, paving the way for renewed vitality and a brighter future.

Enhance self-awareness

Deepen your connection with your body and emotions, fostering a profound sense of self-knowledge and self-compassion.

Cultivate inner peace and well-being

Experience a greater sense of harmony within yourself and with the world around you, promoting overall health and vitality.

Questions? I’ve got answers.

Frequently asked questions —

  • Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine to address the effects of trauma and restore balance to the nervous system. SE incorporates Polyvagal Theory which recognizes the importance of restoring regulation and balance to the nervous system, which allows individuals to move out of states of dysregulation and into states of safety, connection, and resilience.

  • Description text goes hereWhether you’re struggling with the aftermath of a traumatic event, facing overwhelming stress, or simply seeking to deepen your connection with yourself, Somatic Experiencing helps us tune into the wisdom of our bodies while fostering a deep sense of self-empowerment. Some of my clients have described this work as “developing a deeper, more connected relationship with themselves.”

  • We’re not just going to talk about what’s going on. We’re also going to work together to develop body awareness. Through mindful attention to bodily sensations, you will learn to track your physiological states, recognize patterns of dysregulation, and develop resources for self-regulation.

  • This is exactly where I started out. And that’s exactly where we’ll begin. A lot of us grew up being taught to prioritize logic and rational ways of knowing, so it’s unsurprising when people tell me that they don’t know how to tune into and pay attention to subtle cues that emerge from the rest of their bodies.

  • I am not a licensed bodyworker, and sessions do not involve any touch from me.

  • Let’s set up a call! I’m happy to go into more detail and answer any questions you have about working together.

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