Somatic simply means relating to the body and our lived experience of it. Somatic healing invites us to notice what is happening not only in our thoughts, but through sensation, breath, movement, emotion, impulse, and the many ways we experience being in a body. Many of us have learned to relate to our bodies primarily from the outside: how they look, what they weigh, what they can accomplish, or whether they are behaving the way we think they should. Somatic practices offer another possibility—experiencing the body from within, with curiosity rather than judgment. In our work together, we might use body awareness, breath, movement, grounding, Yoga, Yoga Nidra, creative practices, Ayurveda, rest, or other embodied practices to explore what you are noticing and what feels supportive. This isn't psychotherapy, and I am not a licensed therapist. My work is complementary and trauma-informed and can be used alongside psychotherapy and other forms of healthcare. Most importantly, I don't believe I know your body better than you do. You are the authority on your lived experience. My role is to listen, offer possibilities, and walk alongside you as you deepen your relationship with yourself.

I use the word trauma carefully. Rather than defining someone by what has happened to them, I am interested in how difficult, overwhelming, prolonged, or unsupported experiences can affect the ways we experience ourselves, our bodies, our relationships, and the world around us. Our experiences also happen within families, communities, cultures, identities, institutions, and systems. These contexts matter. We cannot separate individual wellbeing from the conditions in which people are living. People may notice anxiety, overwhelm, numbness, disconnection, difficulty resting, changes in breath or muscle tension, challenges with boundaries, strong emotional responses, or difficulty feeling present in their bodies. There is no single way a person responds to difficult experiences. My role is not to diagnose trauma or treat a mental health condition. Instead, I offer trauma-informed practices that support greater body awareness, choice, agency, connection, rest, and relationship with yourself. If you are receiving mental health or medical care, this work can be complementary to that care rather than a replacement for it.

There isn't a script for our work together because there isn't a script for being human. Our sessions are responsive rather than prescriptive. We begin by arriving, noticing what is present, and talking about what feels important to you that day. Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we move. Sometimes we explore breath, sensation, boundaries, voice, beliefs, creativity, or rest. Depending on your interests and needs, I may draw from somatic practices, Yoga and Yoga Nidra, Ayurveda, creative practices, ritual, or energy work. You don't have to arrive knowing what you need. You don't have to tell your whole story, perform vulnerability, or have a breakthrough. We meet what is here. I listen, notice alongside you, offer invitations, and adjust as we go. You remain in choice throughout the session, and there is never one particular experience you are supposed to have. Over time, our work is less about collecting more tools and more about cultivating a different relationship with yourself—one grounded in curiosity, compassion, agency, and the ability to hear your own wisdom.

You may notice that I use brave space rather than promising a “safe space.” Safety is personal, embodied, contextual, and can change from moment to moment. I cannot decide or guarantee what safety feels like for another person. What I can do is be intentional about the conditions we create together. My work is grounded in consent, choice, clear boundaries, dignity, accessibility, relationship, and respect. You are always invited to notice what feels supportive. You can say yes or no, ask for something different, change your mind, pause, participate differently, or stop a practice altogether. And brave doesn't mean pushing yourself past your limits. Sometimes bravery is speaking. Sometimes it is saying no. Sometimes it is asking for support, changing your mind, trying something new, or choosing to rest. We don't practice bravery by overriding the body. We practice staying in relationship with ourselves while honoring our ability to choose.

Only when touch is part of the service being offered, we have discussed it together, and you have given your consent. You are never required to receive touch in order to participate in this work. When appropriate to the service and within my scope of practice, I may offer optional supportive or energy-based touch. I will explain what I am offering before it happens so that you can decide whether it feels right for you. Consent is ongoing. A yes can become a no. You can change your mind at any time, for any reason, without needing to explain why. No-touch options are always welcome.

Not at all. You don't need to be flexible, know how to meditate, understand your nervous system, or even feel particularly connected to your body. You can come exactly as you are. Everything we explore can be adapted, and you are always welcome to ask questions, choose another option, rest, observe, or say, “That's not for me.” There is no level you need to reach before you belong here.

That's completely okay—and actually quite common. You don't need to arrive with a perfectly articulated goal or an explanation of what is wrong. We can begin much more simply: What are you noticing today? From there, we listen together. Sometimes there is something very clear asking for attention. Other times we begin with rest, grounding, curiosity, or simply getting acquainted with what it feels like to be in your body today. You don't need to figure yourself out before you come.

Rising Strong Wellness is committed to making this work more accessible while also supporting the sustainability of the practice. I use a sliding-scale approach. Those who are able to pay the full rate are invited to do so, which helps make reduced-rate spaces possible for others. Nobody gets left behind. If cost is a barrier and you genuinely want to receive this work, please reach out. We can talk about what may be possible. Payment is due when scheduling unless we have made another arrangement. Sliding-scale arrangements may be revisited periodically as circumstances change. Cancellation, late-cancellation, and no-show policies are provided when you schedule.

There isn't a universal number because this work is highly individual. For someone wanting to establish a consistent 1:1 practice, I often recommend beginning with approximately 6–8 sessions. This gives us time to build relationship, establish a shared language, explore different practices, and notice what is meaningful and supportive for you. From there, we decide together. Some people continue regularly. Some space sessions farther apart. Some take a break and return during another season of life. Others feel complete. My goal isn't to keep you dependent on our sessions. The work should increasingly support your relationship with yourself.