Somatic Experiencing® Therapy
in WA & CA
Heal trauma by listening to your body
—not reliving the past
Somatic Experiencing®
If you’ve tried talk therapy and still feel stuck—on edge, shut down, or overwhelmed—your nervous system may still be carrying what your mind already understands.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a gentle, body-based therapy that helps your system complete what trauma interrupted, so your body can finally return to safety, ease, and connection.
When trauma lives in the body
Trauma isn’t just what happened—it’s what your nervous system had to do to survive.
You might notice:
Feeling constantly anxious, hypervigilant, or on edge
Sudden shutdown, numbness, or dissociation
Chronic tension, pain, fatigue, or digestive issues
Strong emotional reactions that feel “too big” for the situation
Difficulty feeling safe, grounded, or present—even when life is stable
These aren’t personal failures. They’re signs of a nervous system still protecting you.
What makes Somatic Experiencing® different
• Work bottom-up, starting with body sensations rather than stories
• Track subtle signals in your nervous system (breath, tension, impulses)
• Gently release stored survival energy—at your pace
• Build capacity for safety, regulation, and choice
How I Combine Somatic Experiencing, IFS and EMDR
As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner who is also trained in IFS and EMDR, I don't use just one method. Trauma lives in the body, in the parts of us that protect us, and in the memories themselves. Bringing all three together lets healing reach every layer, at a pace your nervous system can handle.
The Body: Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing is the foundation. We start by helping your nervous system feel safe and grounded. Together, we notice sensations, build resources and release stored survival energy a little at a time. This creates the steadiness your body needs before going deeper.
The Parts: Internal Family Systems
When a part of you tenses up, shuts down or criticizes, IFS helps us get curious instead of pushing through. We listen to what that part is protecting and why. Often, as these parts feel understood, your body relaxes too, and the next layer of healing can open naturally.
The Memories: EMDR
When you're resourced and your protective parts feel on board, EMDR helps reprocess painful memories so they stop feeling like they're happening now. Because your body and parts are already supported, EMDR tends to feel safer and less overwhelming.
Why Combining Them Helps
Your body stays within its "window of tolerance," so you're less likely to feel flooded or shut down
Protective parts are respected, not overridden
Healing happens in your body, not just your thoughts
Changes feel integrated and lasting, not forced
Whether we're working weekly or in an EMDR intensive, we will honor the pace your body needs.
What Happens in a Somatic Experiencing Session
If you've never tried somatic therapy, it can be hard to imagine what we actually do. Every session is shaped around you, but here's what a typical Somatic Experiencing session often looks like:
1. Arriving and checking in
We start by settling in. I'll ask how you're doing, what's on your mind, and what you notice in your body right now. There's no pressure to tell your whole story.2. Orienting to safety
I may invite you to slowly look around the room (or your space at home, if we're online) and notice anything that feels pleasant or neutral. This helps your nervous system register that you're safe now.3. Finding resources
We identify things that help you feel grounded, like your feet on the floor, a calming memory, a supportive person or a comforting sensation. These become anchors we can return to anytime.4. Tracking sensations
Together, we gently notice what's happening in your body: tightness, warmth, heaviness, tingling or the urge to move. You don't have to interpret it. We simply get curious.5. Working in small doses
Instead of diving into the hardest memory, we touch difficult feelings or sensations a little at a time. This is called titration, and it keeps your system from becoming overwhelmed.6. Moving between activation and calm
We gently move back and forth between something uncomfortable and something resourcing. This is called pendulation, and it teaches your body it can feel stress and still return to calm.7. Letting your body complete what it couldn't before
Sometimes the body naturally releases stored stress, through a deep breath, a yawn, trembling, warmth or a sense of settling. These are signs your nervous system is completing a survival response that got stuck during trauma.8. Closing and integrating
We end by grounding and noticing what's different. You'll leave feeling steadier, often with a simple practice to try between sessions.
Somatic Experiencing sessions are available in person in Lynnwood, WA and online across Washington and California. You're always in control of the pace, and you can pause anytime.
What healing looks like in Somatic Experiencing®
More ease and relaxation in the body
Fewer anxiety spikes or shutdown states
Improved sleep and energy
A stronger sense of boundaries and self-trust
Feeling more present, grounded, and alive
Healing happens gradually, safely, and with respect for your nervous system.
What a Somatic Experiencing® session feels like
✅ Notice sensations like warmth, tightness, or movement
✅ Pause often to check what your body needs
✅ Reconnecting with your body as yours again
✅ Learn grounding tools you can use in daily life
✅ Stay fully oriented to the present moment
We follow your system and honor your body’s needs.
SE can be especially supportive for:
Chronic stress & burnout
Anxiety, panic, and PTSD
Highly sensitive or emotionally attuned individuals
Your body already knows how to heal.
Somatic Experiencing® helps it remember.
WHY WORK WITH ME
Over the years, I’ve helped clients move beyond trauma, reconnect with their bodies, and feel more like themselves—more compassionate, calm, confident, courageous, and creative.
I blend inner child work, attachment-focused therapy, bilateral stimulation, somatic tracking, and nervous system healing to create deep, lasting change. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and grounded in genuine compassion.
I understand how heavy things have felt, and I know how to help you find clarity, ease, and a more empowered relationship with yourself.
You’ve already taken a brave step by being here.
Let’s continue this journey — gently, intentionally, and together.
Related Blog Posts
