WHAT IS SOMATIC COACHING
I work intuitively, bringing curiosity and deep presence to the space I hold with my clients. One aspect of my work is Somatic Experiencing, which is a modality that explores the physical ways our body processes and heals from trauma and other challenging experiences. Also integral to my framework is an understanding that our physical and emotional bodies are shaped by our cultures, family lineages and the systems of oppression within and around us.
In our work together l will share an understanding of how our bodies communicate and express themselves on a nervous system level, and offer tools and resources to help folks deepen their relationship with their bodies and the information they convey.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS WORK
People choose somatic coaching for a wide range of reasons including:
Exploring and understanding a clearer sense of boundaries
Increasing self-trust
Moving through places of repetitive stuckness
Increasing capacity to feel range of emotions
Finding new ways of showing up in relationships
Understanding how our nervous system shapes our day-to-day experiences
Accessing and tending to subtle messages being received and communicated by our bodies
WORK WITH ME
I offer one-on-one sessions, online and in person. My work can be short term over 6-8 sessions or used as a longer term resource for people over many years in their embodied learning and growth. I also offer educational workshops in addition to small group facilitation to support team building. Please reach out if you are interested in more information about working together.
RATES:
Sessions are offered at a sliding scale of $150-250/hr
I offer a number of slots for folks who are unable to pay the above session rates,
please inquire with me directly about availability for lower-cost sessions.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL SESSION LOOK LIKE?
Sessions are 60 minutes long and offer tangible tools and guidance to begin to explore and relate to our body’s experiences.
In zoom or in person, together we create a space to feel physical sensations and practice listening, pausing and seeing what emerges.
In this exploratory space, I offer reflections and bring questions to get curious about and hold both in session and afterwards.
MORE ABOUT SOMATIC COACHING
For many people, Somatic Coaching can be a powerful complement or addition to clinical therapy. Somatic Coaching is not therapy and is not meant as a replacement for clinical mental healthcare.
INFLUENCES IN MY WORK
I am deeply influenced by many incredible scholars, activists and writers. I want to express profound appreciation to these folks who have influenced and continue to transform my worldview through their writings, offerings and activism.
Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Resmaa Menakem, adrienne maree brown, Vanessa Andreotti and the GTDF Collective, Sophie Strand, Prentis Hemphill
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ABOUT SOMATIC WORK
I am engaging with this work through an ongoing practice of holding complexity and a commitment to learning. A few additional pieces to mention around somatic healing work:
There is a focus in many mainstream somatic communities around orienting towards achieving a neutral or regulated nervous system. There are also many unexamined assumptions around what it means to heal and whose body or experience is ‘normal.’ The ways that ongoing and historical oppression shape all of our bodies and relationship to ‘safety’ is missed, as is the way that colonization, capitalism & ableism are shaping what is seen as health and wellness. As Kai Cheng Thom writes, “The somatics of social justice cannot be aimed at restoring the body to a state of homeostasis/neutrality.”
Additionally, somatic healing practices are rooted in many cultures and places throughout history. Some present day somatic healing modalities however- many of which are ‘founded’ by white practitioners- are rooted in colonial frameworks which includes a lack of appropriate lineage recognition to the BIPOC communities who have influenced and informed the modalities.
There are many incredible folks writing and speaking about these important elements. I’m happy to discuss these complexities around somatic work (from my own place of learning) and am also available to share more resources from folks who are at the forefront of these conversations.