Somatic Therapy

Our therapists are trained in somatic oriented approaches, such as Hakomi, IFS (Internal Family Systems), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and Gestalt (psychodrama).

Somatic Therapy differs from traditional talk-therapy approaches as it invites curiosity and awareness to our physical bodies and our present moment experience. Where other therapies have clients exploring the “why” of their issues, somatic modalities emphasize the “How and Now” of the client’s unfolding experience, where we can access how we have internalized the events and thoughts that affect us most deeply. By working through experience of our bodies rather than our intellect, Somatic Therapy creates an entrance to the shadow elements of ourselves, our many parts, stuck emotions, and the woundings from the past that still affects us.

Our therapists use the Hakomi method, a body-centered psychotherapy of assisted self-study. Hakomi differs from traditional cognitive therapy by taking a mindfulness-based approach: In Hakomi, nearly the entire therapy process takes place in a non-ordinary state of concentrated mindfulness.

“We embrace unity when we bring attention to aspects of ourselves and others that are in isolation and conflict. We embrace it when our way is acceptance and curiosity; when our goal is to bring together all aspects of the person: mind/mind and mind/body and self/universe; when we know as part of our being that we are connected, to each other and this world. That knowing is the healing power of this work.”

— RON KURTZ

In order to gain access to our parts, we must first have permission of the body. By asking permission, we are respecting how we have defended ourselves against injuries to the mind-body by not creating another betrayal. Hakomi, Gestalt and IFS are all consent-based body-centered psychotherapy, meaning contact with these parts is always optional, and respecting the body’s pace can be just as healing as the work itself.

In Internal Family Systems, psychic multiplicity is a core assumption. We all have different parts of us that reflect core experiences in the past that influenced us (harmful or positive) which eventually evolved into beliefs. These parts are the members of our internal family system. Each part is valuable and serves us differently, to help us survive and make the best of our situation. As Richard Schwartz writes, “All parts are precious and want to be constructive, though some are forced into extreme, destructive roles by external influences as well as by the self-perpetuating nature of inner polarization and imbalances” (Internal Family Systems, p. 39). In IFS therapy, we help clients communicate with these inner parts to resolve the imbalance and escort clients back to their healthy, functioning, inherent fullness.

Gestalt is a German word and can be loosely translated to mean something in English like “whole, configuration, integration, a unique patterning” (Smith, the Roots of Gestalt Therapy). Gestalt posits that the client is already whole to begin with, although they may have interruptions to true contact through their experience due to neuroses, overthinking, and suffering - a sign that they have “unfinished business” that needs resolution. People in suffering are experiencing a body-mind that is out of homeostasis and is not able to re-stabilize. Gestalt’s emphasis on “nowness” and psychodrama allows the client to bypass the stories and intellectualization of the circumstance and guides them towards making contact whatever is needed to resolve suffering in their human organism.  

To best serve everyone’s unique experience of parts work, we blend somatic modalities together to help you access and integrate the parts of yourself arising in therapy.

Sensorimotor psychotherapy, developed by Pat Ogden, combines talk therapy with body-centered techniques. It aims to help clients become more aware of their bodily sensations, emotions, and movements, and to use this awareness to process and release trauma. We help clients develop skills to regulate their nervous system, as trauma often leads to dysregulation and a heightened state of arousal or shutdown. Through various techniques such as grounding exercises, breathwork, and gentle movements, clients learn to reconnect with their bodies and release the stored trauma.