What to expect during a Somatic Experiencing session?

When you come for a Somatic Experiencing session with me, the beginning may feel similar to a psychotherapy session.

We start by exploring where you are today, what brings you here, and what kind of support you are looking for.

If it is your first session, we take time getting to know your story and your needs.

Together, we explore what would be most supportive for you - working with Somatic Experiencing alone, or combining it with touch.​

Slowing down and listening to your body

What makes Somatic Experiencing different is that we do not only focus on the story of what happened.

We pay attention to what happens in your body as you share.

During the session, I will invite you to pause and notice:

• What sensations are present in your body?

• Where do you feel tension, warmth, movement, or numbness?

• What emotions or impulses arise?

We move slowly to create space for your body to process at your own pace.

Sometimes this may involve using simple tools such as pillows, objects, writing, drawing, making sounds, or exploring through movement. Everything is optional, and you will always be guided through the process.

You do not need to prepare anything before your session. You do not need to know what to say or how to do it. We will discover the way together.

Creating new experiences of safety

Many overwhelming experiences affect how we relate to ourselves, our bodies, and the world around us.

During Somatic Experiencing sessions, we explore new possibilities: experiencing choice, feeling your own boundaries, discovering your inner resources, and reconnecting with parts of yourself that may have felt unavailable or disconnected.

For example, if your boundaries have been crossed in the past, we may explore what it feels like in your body to say "no" and to experience a stronger sense of safety and choice.

What might you notice during or after a session?

Every person experiences sessions differently. Some people notice a deeper breath, a sense of relaxation, emotions moving through, or tension releasing from areas such as the shoulders, jaw, or chest.

You may also notice:

• a stronger connection with your body

• more awareness of your emotions and patterns

• a greater sense of calm and grounding

The goal is to create the conditions where your body can reconnect with its own natural capacity for regulation and healing.

After a session, you will leave with more awareness and often a deeper sense of being grounded in yourself.

Combining Somatic Experiencing with bodywork

I often combine Somatic Experiencing with bodywork, because for many people healing happens through experiencing safe touch.

Whether we include massage in your session is something we decide together, based on your needs, comfort level, and what feels supportive at that moment. 

Somatic Experiencing combined with touch can be especially supportive for people who:

• find physical contact challenging or overwhelming

• have experienced physical or sexual abuse

• feel numb and disconnected from their body

• struggle with body image or shame

For some people, experiencing touch in a safe, trauma-informed setting can become a deeply healing experience. It creates an opportunity to discover that the body can also be a place of safety, pleasure and connection.

Together, we explore where you feel present in your body, where you feel less sensation, and whether there are areas connected with shame, discomfort, or difficult memories.

You can read more about the different types of bodywork I offer and what each modality can support here.