Question 1

What makes somatic therapy different than talk therapy?

Accepted Answer

What makes somatic therapy different from talk therapy, is that as the counsellor, I am listening to so much more than your words or the intonations in your voice. I am attuning to you and your system, and thus feeling somatically what you share and what's happening in the field between us and around us - while guiding you to also pay attention to this level of your experience!

This approach to therapy is energetically sensitive, and pays attention to the nervous system state and relational field. We support you in noticing what your body has to say in order to find deeper integration than talk therapy enables.

Question 2

What makes you different as a somatic counsellor?

Accepted Answer

As a somatic counsellor, I am different because I work with a variety of body-based tools to support you in building a resourceful connection with your body. This fosters resilience and clarity, rather than just mentally and verbally talking through your experience to find resolution. When we only talk about something, we aren't getting the full picture - our body provides a lot of information about what's needed for full resolution and I support you in getting there by following the threads of your body's communications.

Question 3

What is the purpose of somatic therapy?

Accepted Answer

Somatic therapy is an approach to counselling which focuses on the body experience. The purpose is to create a safe relational container for therapeutic healing and resourcing on a felt-sense, bodily level, which ultimately strengthens the client's system to be able to hold and process their life experience. We support empowerment and safety in the body in order to find true integration of your life's story.

Question 4

What are your session rates?

Accepted Answer

I am offering a sliding scale of $80-105 for 1 hour sessions, and $105-125 for 1.5 hour sessions. I am always available to discuss pricing to make time with me more accessible. Please feel free to ask!

Question 5

Are you able to accept my government benefits coverage?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I am an officially registered counsellor and can accept payment through your benefits coverage plan. learn more about my pricing and sessions here.  See the following list for the list of third party liability and insurance companies I am currently covered by through my registration with the Association of Cooperative Counselling Therapists of Canada (ACCT).Alberta Blue CrossThe Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan ClaimSecureEquitable Life of CanadaGreenshield CanadaiA Financial GroupManitoba Blue CrossPacific Blue CrossVictor InsuranceSun LifeCanada LifeManuLife You will receive an invoice after our sessions which you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.​

Question 6

Where does Relational Somatic Therapy originate?

Accepted Answer

This approach is based on the most up to date research in the therapeutic field, including but not limited to...Peter Levine's Somatic ExperiencingStephen Porges' Poly Vagal TheoryDaniel Siegel's research on the brainAllan Schore's research on RegulationLouis Cozolino's research on NeuroscienceBessel Van Der Kolk's research on Trauma and StressPat Ogden's research on the Sensorimotor systemMy teacher Mariah Moser's 35+ years in the field...and many others!

Question 7

How will we know if we're a good fit to work together?

Accepted Answer

Well, we can start by getting to know one another a little bit during a 20 minute consultation call. Often it takes a bit of time, maybe 2-3 sessions for the client to know if the counsellor is a good fit, while other times there is a natural knowing from the start. Ultimately I think it depends on how you feel in relation with me, and whether you can sense the potential of our shared therapeutic container and my ability as a counsellor to hold space for you.​Please note: there are absolutely no hard feelings if you feel I'm not the right fit for you as a counsellor. I understand that it's important to find the right individual to enter this kind of relationship with.

Question 8

What if I don't have much of an established connection with my body?

Accepted Answer

If this is the case for you, somatic therapy could be an excellent support in building your connection between mind and body. One of the earlier tasks of this work is to explore to what degree you have already established this connection, and then over time, we work to strengthen it. We do this through building a sensation based vocabulary to support you in expressing your somatic sensations, and by consistently returning to the body throughout the session. Over time, by tending to the mind-body connection through regularly tuning in and feeling, the bridge between mind and body is strengthened. This is also supported through my own embodiment as the counsellor, and the relational field we inhabit together.

Question 9

Do you do trauma work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I do trauma work! I have firsthand experiential trauma healing experience in my own history and in my work with clients.In trauma resolution work, the most important thing is to take our time, go slowly, and get a thorough understanding of how trauma has impacted your system. Rather than trying to directly heal the trauma itself, in somatic therapy we create a strong container of resources around any traumatized parts, so there's more stability in the system. This allows trauma to naturally resolve over time without needing to relive it intentionally. If you are looking to work with trauma resolution, let me know in our consultation call and we can talk more about the process. My relational somatic therapy training taught me thoroughly about how trauma works, what happens in the system and how to support it. Read more about trauma work here.

Question 10

Do you do hands on somatic work?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I do hands on somatic work for in-person sessions. There has to be a certain level of connection between myself and my client before I will offer hands on support, but in time, it is a wonderful tool for deepening the impact of somatic work. it can look like...Gentle support such as...a foot or arm gently pressed next to yours so you know you're not alonehands on your containment muscles (outer arms and outer thighs) which supports you in feeling contained (great in moments of distress)my feet on top of yours while we sit across from one another (great for somatic discharge of trauma, which often shows up as a shaking in the legs)a hand on the top of your head to support energy in moving up and outa hand on the back of your heart​​Or it may show up in boundary work...my hands available to meet yours in practicing pushing away or claiming your space, as well as other boundary and proximity exercises​​This is always explored with great care for the sensitivity my clients may have with touch. I myself was previously very sensitive about the proximity of others and know this well.Consent is essential and a gentle approach is always prioritized.I will always honour the bodily autonomy of my clients to the utmost and bring great care to the vulnerability of this work.

Question 11

How frequently should I see you for session?

Accepted Answer

This depends entirely on you and your needs! Generally some level of regularity is beneficial for therapy. I would suggest at least one session per month, however we can also do weekly or bi-weekly. Whatever feels most supportive for you!

Frequently Asked Questions