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Somatic Experiencing
In the Comox Valley and online throughout British Columbia
Trauma doesn't only affect our thoughts —
it changes how our nervous system responds to the world.
Somatic Experiencing therapy is a gentle, body-based approach that helps your nervous system rediscover safety, flexibility, and resilience after stress and trauma.
I integrate Somatic Experiencing with compassionate talk therapy based in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches.
Why Talk Therapy Sometimes Isn't Enough
Many people understand exactly why they struggle. They know where their anxiety comes from. They understand their childhood. They've read the books.
Yet their body still reacts as if the danger is happening now.
We may become easily overwhelmed. Our bodies react with panic or shut-down. We are filled with anger or sadness that feels disconnected to the moment. We get stuck in thought patterns that harm us.
Trauma doesn't only affect our memories - it also impacts patterns of nervous system activation. This activation impacts how we think, feel, and relate to the world. Somatic Experiencing helps you to unwind nervous system patterns that have become "stuck" in the past.
What is Somatic Experiencing?
During Somatic Experiencing therapy, we gently bring our awareness to the small signals arising from your body - breathing, muscle tension, warmth, movement, impulses, and sensations.
Working with these signals helps our nervous system to safely unwind rigid emotional, cognitive and physiological patterns.
We learn how to respond to fight, flight, and freeze activation with gentle, regulated compassion.
Gentle and gradual
Collaborative and thoughtfully paced
No forcing or pushing
Works with the body, mind, and emotions
Builds capacity for rest, joy, and pleasure.
What Somatic Experiencing Can Help With
What Sessions Actually Feel Like
In our sessions, we talk about whatever you need to talk about, while also:
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Slowing down and feeling more present
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Noticing body sensations with curiosity
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Calming challenging thoughts and emotions
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Learning regulation skills you can use in daily life
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Building your capacity to feel pleasure, joy, and rest
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Moments of stillness, ease and grounding
Healing Doesn't Mean
Reliving Trauma
Contrary to popular belief, healing doesn't require constantly reliving traumatic memories.
With Somatic Experiencing, we work in small, manageable pieces. Your nervous system changes through safety - not through overwhelm. This allows your body to release what it has been holding at a pace that feels safe and sustainable.
My Training and Approach
What Somatic Experiencing Is Not
Somatic Experiencing is...
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Gentle
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Collaborative
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Based in science
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Slow enough to stay regulated
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Integrated with talk therapy
Somatic Experiencing is not...
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Flooding you with trauma memories
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Ignoring thoughts and emotions
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New Age Spirituality
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Someone "fixing" you
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Replacing traditional counselling
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Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
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Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
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Advanced Somatic Experiencing modules completed
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Ongoing-post-graduate education and mentorship
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Integrative approach combining body, mind, and emotion
I bring both specialized training and experience supporting adults and youth through trauma, anxiety and burnout.
My goal is to create a safe, compassionate space where your nervous system can heal!
