Somatic Experiencing™ for
BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+
What is Somatic Experiencing™?
Somatic therapy focuses on the mind-body connection and helps individuals explore and address emotional and psychological blocks through their body, via physical sensations, images, movements, and more.
Specifically, I’m a Somatic Experiencing™ Practitioner. Somatic Experiencing™ (SE™) is an approach that focuses on supporting the body and nervous system to restore balance and resilience. Developed by Peter Levine, SE™ helps us address the effects of overwhelming experiences by working with the body’s natural ability to regulate itself and release stored stress.
Who is it for?
Somatic Experiencing™ can help a wide range of individuals, particularly those who experience stress, overwhelm, or feel disconnected from their body and/or others. It’s especially good for those:
Dealing with past difficult experiences like an accident, a loss, or a frightening event;
Looking for a body-based approach: If narrative therapy hasn’t fully worked for you, or you’re looking for a more holistic way to feel better, SE™ offers a body-focused method to find relief.
Experiencing burnout and overwhelm: If you’re feeling exhausted or overwhelmed by life’s demands, SE™ can help you restore your energy and calm.
What is my approach to Somatic Experiencing™?
I use techniques such as resourcing and co-regulation to create safer and supportive conditions to release blocked energy. My approach is consent-based, and rooted in mindfulness, compassion and unconditional acceptance, drawing from my decades of Buddhist meditation practice and teaching.
Our sessions will include a combination of discussion, awareness of body sensations and emotions, visualization, and movement. When appropriate, I might suggest a ritual or prompt to aid in integration beyond our session.
What you can expect
Below is a short explanation of what you can expect when we work together, which may be useful for folks new to Somatic Experiencing™.
Preferably, join the virtual session using a larger device like a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet. If you’re joining from a tablet or phone, you may need to download the Zoom app.
Set yourself up in a quiet place where you’ll be uninterrupted. Notify anyone you live with that you won’t be available for the duration of our session. Turn off any devices that may send you notifications.
If you’re comfortable on the floor, you might set yourself up sitting on the ground, otherwise, a comfy chair or bed could also be supportive.
Have your beverage of choice nearby–water, tea, etc.–and accessible during the session. If scent is supportive as well, light a candle or incense.
Before logging into our one-on-one, take 3-6 full breaths.
How can you prepare for your online SE™ session?
Some nice-to-know logistics
Appointment duration: 55 minutes
Location: Tuesday appointments can be in-person in Pointe-Saint-Charles (Montreal, Quebec, Canada). Otherwise, sessions are online via Zoom. Exact location/links will be added to your calendar invite
Cost: $130 in the currency of the country you work in (e.g. CA $130, US $130, £130, €130). If this is unaffordable, please ask me about my sliding scale.
Payment: by debit or credit card via Stripe upon booking; e-receipts provided.
24-hour Cancellation policy: If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment, a 24-hour notice is required. Any last minute changes will be considered a missed appointment and are non-refundable. Any missed appointment without notice is also non-refundable.
Insurance: Naturotherapy receipts provided, covered by most insurance policies (please check with your provider; the following companies do not accept naturopathy receipts: Canada Life, Blue Cross, Alliance Industrial).
Tax Deduction: You may list me as a naturopath for Quebec tax purposes and submit my naturopathy receipt.