What is Somatic psychoTherapy?

Somatic Psychotherapist’s believe that in order to treat mental health, we have to incorporate both the mind and body. Somatic Therapists have studied and researched how the body holds past traumas and that within the body you can see trauma reflected in facial expressions, posture, muscular pain, or other forms of body language. Talk therapy can help address this trauma, but therapeutic body techniques help to process through and release the trauma.

Somatic Therapies are based off of modern day science and are continually being validated as Evidence-Based. It is a growing form of therapy that is becoming more and more renowned as the way to healing trauma.

My current therapeutic methods for trauma include Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Structural Dissociation, Polyvagal Theory, Ego State Therapy, and parts work.

Julie is also certified as a Psychedelic Therapy and Integration (PTI) therapist through Fluence which is the premier continuing education organization in the emerging field of psychedelic therapy. Somatic Therapy is being recognized as the ideal therapeutic model for psychedelic assisted therapy and is being studied throughout the clinical trials currently being conducted. Julie is not able to provide or dose any psychedelic medicines but works closely with legal facilities in Oregon that offer Ketamine Assisted Therapy. As a PTI certified practitioner and Somatic Therapist Julie can help with preparation and integration work to support in healing of trauma and other mental health diagnoses.

WHAT IS SENSORIMOTOR PSYCHOTHERAPY?

Sensorimotor psychotherapy, created by Pat Ogden, is body-based talk therapy, integrating current findings from neuroscience to transform traumatic memories into strengths and resources for the client. It works with developmental trauma, such as maternal lack of attunement, as well as acute or gross trauma like sexual abuse, violence, or verbal abuse. Sensorimotor therapists work on mindfulness and collaboration with the client, repeatedly asking permission to do each experiment or process along the way.

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy emphasizes helping clients develop resources within themselves to be able to self-regulate affect, or to move out of the fight/flight/freeze response, and into a higher-functioning mode where they can think clearly and feel appropriately. Clients can become less reactive and more proactive in their relationships, work, and families. They also benefit by developing the ability to regulate interactively with others.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A SESSION with julie?

I am a Level 2 trained Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, EMDR trained and Level 1 trained Internal Family Systems therapist. The foundation of these therapies is to tap into ones body, memories, beliefs, sensory experiences, and parts of self. Client’s will be asked to track their bodies experience and to work on sitting with and being in relationship to their body and ego states. Many of us experience road blocks when trying to access the body which is normal! Many experiments are used to help find safe and effective ways to be with your body in the way that works for you. I recognize that going into the body is scary for many people but it is my intention to create safe ways to access the body at the client’s own pace.