What is body-oriented psychotherapy?

Body-oriented psychotherapy (often called "somatic" psychotherapy) refers to any psychotherapy that takes the connections between body and mind into account. In approaching a session, my view is that the body and mind are one functionally connected unit. In other words, sometimes problems that appear to exist in the mind can be addressed through the body, and vice-versa.

The specific school of therapy that I have studied is Core Energetics, which can be thought of as neo-Reichian in its origins and approach.

Who is this for?

-Have you tried traditional talk therapies and found that talking alone has not sufficed to shift your emotional patterns?

-Are you feeling stuck and looking to stop cutting yourself short in life?

-Are you looking for a new set of tools for handling long-standing emotional challenges?

In all of these cases, a body-oriented approach may be suitable to your needs. By bringing the body into therapy, it becomes easier to work with the non-verbal components of emotional patterns.

What can I expect from a session?

Sessions will vary depending on presenting needs, but you can expect our sessions together to include a mix of talking, body awareness, movement, and expression. The body may also be used as a resource for fostering a sense of grounding, stability, and containment. You can expect to come out of a session understanding a bit more about yourself, and maybe having released some pent up emotion.

Core Energetics also places an emphasis on what is called the "Higher Self"--acknowledging your own unique authentic gifts and potential. This can help provide a counter-weight to heavy and difficult emotions.