My Approach

In this work, I am always striving to listen…not just to the words, but to the whole Self—body, mind, heart, and spirit.

The first question that people often ask when I describe my work is, ‘What is a somatic psychotherapist?’ That is a great question! The word “somatic” comes from the Greek word, “soma”, which means “the living body”. The somaticist, Thomas Hanna, re-defined the word to mean “the body experienced from within, where we experience mind/body integration”. As a somatic psychotherapist, I believe that the body is a source of wisdom, and I value bodily experience as an integral part of the Self.

For many of us, it is through our bodily senses that we experience both ourselves and the world around us. My work invites us to slow down enough to listen to what the body has to tell us. One way that I do this is simply by attuning to and inquiring into sensation and bodily experience, with the same care and attention that I apply when listening to your spoken words.

Other times, I invite movement and gesture which can become rich sources of exploration. Movement can sometimes emerge spontaneously, and at other times we engage in somatic “experiments” to explore existing patterns or to develop and practice new skills.

In addition, I work with a gentle, non-invasive approach to hands-on work informed by Generative Somatics and Jin Shin Acupressure. Hands-on work can be a direct way to process and repattern places in the body that are holding traumatic experiences or that reinforce ways of be-ing that no longer serve you. When hands-on work is offered, it is always optional, and does not involve massage or the removal of clothing. You are encouraged to think about or modify it, change your mind, ask questions, or stop at any time.

Active engagement at the somatic level, whether through somatic awareness, movement or touch, provides the basis for an integrative approach to healing and transformation—an approach grounded in a belief in our inherent wholeness.

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, I invite you to schedule a consultation today. I can be reached at (510) 496-6010.