“The field of Somatics today includes a wide range of disciplines from movement to body-centered psychotherapy.”

What will happen in a Somatic Expression session

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In both individual sessions and group work, you will:

• learn practical tools for self-care (the five elements of somatic experience)
• focus on your felt experience and the language of sensation
• identify personal meaning and discover creative solutions for your life
• expand and deepen awareness of your body and your expressive freedom

What you can expect in a class or workshop:

• specific and simple somatic techniques:
  • breath
  • sound
  • touch
  • movement
  • stillness
• clear structures for self-exploration and interpersonal interactions
• space for individual differences and personal autonomy
• a safe, relaxed and playful environment for therapeutic learning

What you can expect in an individual session:

Individual sessions are a combination of somatic process and education, with the following elements:

• Dialogue 
• Embodied awareness and action
• Somatic skill-building

The process aspect of the session:

I serve as both a witness (supporting what is) and a guide (offering resources for what can be). I listen and inquire, following you moment-to-moment by paying attention to your choice of words and images; your body language: gestures, eye contact, posture and movement, tone and tempo of voice; and the silences. I join your process through simultaneous awareness of my own breathing, feelings, images, and gut instincts. All of these resources help me understand your totality so I am able to guide and coach you more effectively.

The education aspect of the session:

I show you how to pay attention to sensation, and how to actively use it to increase self-awareness, insight and intuition. I also teach you specific somatic practices relevant to your presenting issues and themes. These practices can be used on a daily basis, and are easily integrated into your life. If desired, I can design an individually tailored somatic practice with you to teach your nervous system new ways to respond to emotional overwhelm, pain and stress.

Jamie working in an individual somatic expression session.
photo by Hilary Nichols.