I will partner with you to develop skills, access resources, and overcome obstacles to achieving a sense of joy, purpose and overall well-being. I am an Asheville therapist, specializing in supporting adults with anxiety, trauma (PTSD), relationship challenges, and work/life balance. Somatic therapists are trained in when and how to use touch, and other techniques to engage the whole person in dialogue about what is contributing to physical or emotional pain. And therein lies the good news! Consider that neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are active not just in the brain, but all over the body, including the heart muscle. Some are experiencing grief, stress, or other emotional pain that they suspect is impacting them physically. I am a member of the LGBTQA+ community and am sex-positive, kink-affirming, and knowledgeable about non-monogamy. We do this through supporting the nervous system and providing conditions for repair of the relational matrix where rupture occurred due to preverbal or other developmental or cultural trauma. If we can learn to pay attention, it may get us to the crux of the matter faster than talk alone. I offer individualized and personalized treatment. Sessions with me experientially support the life force and body systems through embodied exploration and and co-regulating touch, as appropriate. Left to yourself, it might just get more muddy and feel overwhelming. My training also qualifies me to safely incorporate touch into explorations. It isnt a conscious process that someone chooses. Rather, we attempt to help you feel more embodied and grounded, to enable you to more fully engage in life and the richness of the here and now on this planet. I use a combination of CBT , mindfulness practices, trauma resolution tools (EMDR, IFS). In an UnspokenVoice: How the BodyReleases Trauma and Restores Goodness. A whole body-mind mindfulness-based somatic approach is much more effective than talk therapy alone. My intention is to create a safe, compassionate space to support your journey toward living your best life. Send me an email to schedule a free consult call to see if wed be a good fit to work together. Many people have heard that somatic therapy is effective for healing from traumatic experiences. SEs guidance of the bodily felt sense, allows the highly aroused survival energies to be safely experienced and gradually discharged. With developmental trauma, early events and conditions shape how the nervous system forms. I love helping people experience what its like to feel safer, more at home, and alive in their bodies. Somatic Experiencing Somatic Experiencing is a method of resolving trauma by supporting the body to complete the biological survival responses blocked in an overwhelming situation. In addition, we are building a relationship with each other and with your body over time. EMDR allows your brain to do the healing as the therapist facilitates with specific questions and techniques. All body work accesses this in one way or another, and many massage therapists have training in fundamental concepts of somatic psychology. Learn sensitive ways of thinking and communicating to support your relationships, create new perspectives, inner wisdom, and self-love, for a more fulfilling life. But Transformative Touch somatic therapy does not involve intentional manipulation of a persons chi or aura. I am glad you are here. What is the science behind somatic therapy? As adults these are retained as physical symptoms, cognitive and emotional distress, and adaptive relational strategies that may not feel good to us and/or others. I offer somatic therapy that helps turn down the background noise of anxiety, stress, pain, and other symptoms. Does somatic mean you think my pain or discomfort is all in my head? " In Shannon's capable hands, Somatic Therapy is incredibly effective. - Aversion to touch - History of sexual trauma - Actively disordered eating - Traumatic brain injury - Active alcohol, substance, or sex addiction - Borderline personality, narcissistic or other personality disorder - Bipolar disorder or schizophrenia - Suicidal thoughts. I am a level 2 certified practitioner of the Transformative Touch modality, one of the touch + talk therapies endorsed by the United States Association of Body Psychology (USABP). You are the expert on you, and my job is to elicit inquiry and discovery of your inner guide. Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-A, LCAS. Somatic therapy can be a wonderful stand-alone, or a complement to psychotherapy to expand from the stories of the mind to the wisdom of the body. please contact to inquire about availabilities. In my practice, I utilize a number of trauma informed approaches such as Attachment Focused EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Hakomi sessions help shift us out of our busy minds and into our bodies. Touch can be a valuable tool, because it fast-tracks body awareness. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and art. When I experienced the power of somatic therapy in my own healing from persistent pain, I knew I wanted to find a way to offer it to others. He has the right balance of warmth, intelligence, and compassion. Center Valley Counseling, Inc. Asheville, North Carolina. Suite B6 Coaching is essentially a series of conversations about change, in which we work together to find practical steps you can take to find relief. Somatic therapy is based in the principle that human beings are an inseparable combination of mind, body, heart and spirit. Physiological, but not pathological. I am committed to creating a shame-free, empowering space for my clients to connect with their authenticity. Call it your determination, or maybe that little whisper inside. Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, MA, LCMHC, LCASA, Clients come to me with stress, sadness, anxiety, guilt, grief, shame, confusion, addictions, relationship issues and trauma. It is also a place to explore ones relationships to others to build more fulfilling connections and intimacy in ones life. Trauma, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Body-Centered Treatment in Asheville, NC Asheville Restorative Counseling "Don't turn your head. The body doesnt lie. EMDR involves remembering a traumatic experience while allowing ones eyes to track a side-to-side visual stimulus from a therapist. I am not a licensed health care provider and clients are instructed that our discussions should not be considered medical advice. Whatever it is, you're ready. I specialize in working with trauma, women's issues, sexuality, grief, addictions recovery, and spiritual crisis / emergence. The word placebo has become a dirty word in healthcare, used to dismiss mind-body approaches as non-scientific. Are you ready to commit to yourself ? In the session we may engage in dialogue with the body or emotion, imagery,metaphor, breath exercises, use of pillows and props, and gentle movement. There may be times when a somatic therapist will recommend additional support, and collaborate with other practitioners. NC Center for Resiliency, PLLC. I am also a certified health and wellness coach with a concentration in pain management. There are many types of somatic therapy, but the common thread is a focus on body awareness and body-based strategies for soothing the nervous system and finding resilience. One of my mentors, Dr Howard Schubiner, says Anyone who thinks you are pretending or imagining pain is either ignorant, cruel, or both. The experience of pain is real, associated with physiologic changes. I have special interest and training in helping people overcome chronic pain or other persistent physical symptoms, which can sometimes intersect with a history of trauma. I bring to my somatic therapy practice the insight of a diverse professional background. There are times in life when things can feel incredibly hard. In an UnspokenVoice: How the BodyReleases Trauma and Restores Goodness. You will explore your life ina new, judgment-freeway. Drug & Alcohol Counselor, MA, LCAS, LMBT, SEP, As a licensed clinical addiction specialist, I'll assess your issues and make recommendations of how I can help you through. All body work accesses this in one way or another, and many massage therapists have training in fundamental concepts of somatic psychology. When there are as many nerve cells in the gut as in the spinal cord, where does the mind end and the body begin? Blue Cross Blue Shield EAN MedCost. There are many types of somatic therapy that address different concerns. About Me I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Journalism from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There may be times when a somatic therapist will recommend additional support, and collaborate with other practitioners. My training qualifies me to safely facilitate exploration of emotions in the context of the body experience. Berkeley,CA: North Atlantic Books. A typical session is 60 minutes long and involves about 15 minutes of discussion, 30 minutes of guided experience on the table, and 15 minutes of integration. . Lingering sadness and anxiety can threaten to overwhelm us. Somatic therapy and pain coaching can be wonderful stand-alone practices, or adjuncts to psychotherapy, physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, and wellness coaching. The nervous system is the platform on which the rest of life builds, as the nervous systems function impacts everything from emotional regulation to digestion, sleep, and immune function. Insurance. They experienced trauma in childhood, lived with difficult parents, and tend to blame themselves. Somatic therapy involves intentional emphasis on the mind-body connection. Asheville, North Carolina, United States. However, I work best with clients who have already done some healing work, are generally comfortable with touch, and are ready to pursue new goals. I also welcome you to reach out for a free initial phone consultation. Is this a good therapy for people who have had trauma? I also have a masters degree and national board certification in clinical genetic counseling. Can we find a different resource that serves you better? SE titrates experience (breaks down into small, incremental steps), supporting a slower and gentler process of exploration. Thats why its imperative we start there. . Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy is an evidence based treatment for symptoms of trauma, PTSD, and Adjustment Disorders. Youre likely kind and dedicated, but also stressed out and frustrated. I work with adults who are essentially physically and psychologically healthy, but who would like additional support around an issue that is causing physical or emotional distress. Welcome to Somatic Asheville. I welcome you to contact me to discuss whether I would be a good fit for your client or patient. Avg Cost (per session): $80. Suzannas calm touch supported my comfort and sense of safety so I could sink deeply into my feelings and release them. Trauma Through A ChildsEyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing. Somatic based therapy can help add more elements to coping with anxiety, depression, big emotions, and unpleasant body sensations. It's my belief and experience that among all of our deepest desires is the longing to be fully seen, validated, and loved, when all the masks are taken away - for who we truly and authentically are. While I consider my practice to be trauma-informed, I am not a trauma specialist. Therapy can help us to cope with theproblems that prevent us from achieving our true potential. I also draw upon our interconnectedness with nature and all living things as a means for developing growth, sense of place, and greater awareness. Listed on 2023-03-01. I offer a safe and welcoming environment, where my clients can let go of their to-do-lists, and tune-in to their own needs. Art Therapy, Somatic Experiencing & Trauma Counseling My name is Kara Ashley-Gilmore, and I provide trauma and attachment-focused counseling and art therapy. Somatic therapy is about being in the present moment with sensation and emotion. Can we find a different resource that serves you better?Somatic therapists are also trained to safely and supportively work with emotional and cognitive content as it arises in the body. Is somatic therapy just the placebo effect? (There is also a nocebo effect, in which negative expectations contribute to worsening symptoms). Youd like to get some support and see how things could be different. I work diligently to empower clients to acknowledge their innate wisdom and strengths within a stigma-free and judgment-free environment. Director and Founder of Asheville Integrative Psychiatry. Therapy is a place to learn how to listen to the wisdom of our bodies to better understand how to take care of our mental and physical well-being. Many people have heard that somatic therapy is effective for healing from traumatic experiences. Learn skills to easily release stress, and explorations to track your progress. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. Put together, bodywork with dialogue, are the therapy part of somatic therapy. I also draw upon our interconnectedness with nature and all living things as a means for developing growth, sense of place, and greater awareness. In somatic therapy, we aim to make this connection explicit so that habits that lead to discomfort can be shifted, and body, heart and spirit are more integrated. This is life-affirming, radiance-making work. Somatic Experiencing is a method of resolving trauma by supporting the body to complete the biological survival responses blocked in an overwhelming situation. I bring a variety of techniques into our work together catering each session to your needs and welcoming your input about what feels most supportive and helpful for you. I can facilitate releasing your physical, emotional, spiritual pain that is stored in the body. In some cases, I may recommend that clients also work with a mental health therapist or other type of health care provider. Somatic therapy may sound like energy work because we deal with the seemingly abstract concept of the body-mind connection, but in fact that connection is not so abstract. It isnt a conscious process that someone chooses. After spending a year in AmeriCorps, volunteering with a variety of non-profits in California, Oregon, Florida, and Louisiana, I decided to pursue a graduate degree in Social Work. Somatic therapy has been researched and studied, and some forms of somatic therapy are found to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions. I am an LCSWA specializing in trauma treatment for adults. Therapy is your healing journey and you are the one in charge. For people with recent or unaddressed severe trauma history, my approach could be counter-productive. For people with recent or unaddressed severe trauma history, my approach could be counter-productive.A history of trauma doesn't rule out working together. A history of trauma doesn't rule out working together. My work focuses on a, I'm here to create a safe space for people to explore parts of themselves and their relationship with their mind and body. Consider that neurochemicals like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are active not just in the brain, but all over the body, including the heart muscle. The work is powerful and for me, it has created huge shifts in deeply programmed patterns of behavior in a relatively short time. Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. Because somatic therapy encompasses many techniques, some, such as EMDR and meditation, have been studied more than others. Because somatic therapy is based in the principle that mind, body and spirit are one, we may engage with spiritual and energetic content in a session. That's where the light enters you." - Rumi What would it be like to loosen the hold your stories, pain and struggles have over you? We can access physiology through the mind with dialogue, meditation, visualization and cognitive exercises. These include somatic or body-based awareness, creative methods such as guided imagery or the use of visual aids, or . In addition, we are building a relationship with each other and with your body over time. It isnt just imagination. . My most successful clients are comfortable with touch, have done some healing work previously, and already have a hunch that there is a link between their symptoms and their emotions. My theory is that somatic therapy and other alternative healing modalities are effective in part because they remind our brains and bodies of their capacity to heal. I specialize and have a passion for helping individuals with these issues. Both therapies address the underlying physiology of trauma, stress, and dysregulation. 264 followers 201 connections. Originally from Atlanta, GA, she attended undergraduate at Davidson College in Davidson, NC, and medical school at the Medical College of . We work together via modalities of Transforming Touch, Somatic Experiencing, Safe and Sound Protocol, and EMDR to increase well-being and access to innate life force. I come from an anti-oppression lense: This means that I don't consider trauma and healing from trauma only the experience and responsibility of the individual. When is the last time you felt unconditionally accepted, exactly as you are? Somatic Counseling Kathryn Shanks, LCMHC Modalities Hakomi is a somatic (or body-centered) psychotherapy modality developed on Taoist principles that is elegant in its simplicity and effectiveness. In this state, trauma can manifest itself both mentally and physicallythrough tension in the muscles, anxiety, and stress. Offer somatic therapy is incredibly effective of somatic psychology involves remembering a experience... 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