What is Somatic Psychotherapy?

Integrative somatic or body-oriented psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that encompasses a range of evidence-based methods for healing stress and trauma by tuning into the body’s inherent wisdom. Techniques such as EMDR, mindfulness, and Somatic Experiencing fall under this category.

Somatic psychotherapy takes a holistic approach, addressing both the body and mind, whereas traditional talk therapy primarily focuses on thought processes, behaviours, and perceptions. Emerging research increasingly supports the idea that, in the context of stress and trauma, the ‘body keeps the score’—a concept introduced by PTSD expert Bessel van der Kolk.

Somatic psychotherapy may be helpful for individuals experiencing:

• Posttraumatic stress
• Complex trauma
• Anxiety
• Chronic stress
• Emotional dysregulation
• ADHD

Common Benefits of Somatic Psychotherapy

• Enhanced ability to regulate emotions and navigate stress
• Greater emotional resilience
• Improved present-moment self-awareness
• Increased sense of wellbeing and ease
• Insight into the root causes of distress
• Effective processing of stuck emotions

What is EMDR?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a specialized trauma therapy grounded in neuroscience and designed to help individuals stop feeling stuck in the past by addressing and healing their traumatic experiences. Created by Dr. Francine Shapiro, EMDR leverages the brain’s natural processing abilities through guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while focusing on distressing memories. This technique helps rewire the brain’s response to these memories, leading to more effective reprocessing, better integration, and a reduction in emotional intensity.

EMDR May be Helpful for Individuals Experiencing:

• Posttraumatic stress
• Complex trauma
• Generalized anxiety
• Phobias and panic
• Depression

Common Benefits of EMDR

• Reduced trauma symptoms
• Increased sense of ease and wellbeing
• Decreased anxiety
• Improved emotional regulation
• Enhanced coping skills

Fee: $185 (flat fee) per 60-minute session.