Question 1

What will a nervous system education session be like?

Accepted Answer

In the nervous system education sessions, we spend half the time on education (understanding how the nervous system develops, why the tools work, and why yours is unique) and half the time checking in with your body and what you need most. The tools taught are catered to the sensations you are currently feeling in your body. I offer options for physical support (your own gentle touch, light pressure, warmth, etc.) and somatic practices (motions you make with your body to help move emotions through). We befriend and build trust with the body, and we explore ways to grow a sense of safety in the body and in your environment. We move at exactly the pace your body is ready for.

Question 2

What does “somatic” mean?

Accepted Answer

Somatic, or “of the body,” is an alternative to where so many of us are: “in our heads.” Traditional therapy works with the mind, but this nervous system education and healing mentorship is something different. We can heal by letting our body be the guide.

Question 3

What will a somatic emotional trauma healing session be like?

Accepted Answer

When the nervous system is more regulated, it is possible to move deeper and access blocked emotions that got stuck in our bodies due to trauma. Emotional trauma results from distressing experiences (single events or long-term exposure to stress or neglect) that have profound physical and emotional impacts on a person. The best way to identify trauma is by working with triggers, or activations, wherein something happens, and we react viscerally in our body.

In a session, we locate where in the body you are feeling this activation, offer support to these parts of you that experienced the original trauma, and converse with these parts that need to be seen and recognized. Together, you and I help the body feel safe to let go of this old way of reacting so that you can live in the present, and now choose a grounded response. It’s a dance of listening and encouragement, building trust with the body to help it release and resolve inner tension, and to step into a new experience of freedom and peace.

Question 4

Will I have to talk about embarrassing things or re-live traumatizing events?

Accepted Answer

No. It is not necessary to re-traumatize oneself to heal. While some context is helpful, the only thing I really need to know is what sensations/feelings are coming up for you in your body. You can share as much or as little as you like. In general, I will encourage you to stay “out of story” and not focus on the fine details, since that is where the mind gets too involved. We want to stay in the body, where the healing can happen.

Question 5

What if I am already overwhelmed with life? Why should I add one more thing to do?

Accepted Answer

Great question! The tools and philosophies you will learn through nervous system education sessions can help you reduce feelings of overwhelm TODAY! In your first session, I can help you understand why you often feel overwhelmed, that there is nothing wrong with you for feeling this way, AND that there are ways out of overwhelm. Most of the tools I offer take less than 30 seconds to use (but you can always use them longer). They are meant to be used throughout the day, fitting them into your life as you go.

Question 6

What if I’m not good with or don’t have access to technology?

Accepted Answer

No problem. I am happy to help with a little technical assistance if you haven’t used Zoom before. It’s helpful for me if I can see you (in fact, this helps with nervous system regulation, it’s called co-regulating, when you can connect with another human being), and some of the tools are easier to show you by demonstrating, but if it’s really not an option, we will figure something out!

Question 7

Who does this nervous system regulation and trauma healing work for?

Accepted Answer

It works for anyone who is willing to do some self-reflection and willing to do something different to get different results. If you have tried other healing modalities, and if they were only a little helpful or just helpful for a while, nervous system regulation and somatic healing may be the missing piece for you. I know it was for me!

Question 8

Who is this nervous system regulation and trauma healing work NOT for?

Accepted Answer

This work is not for you if you are not open to mind-body approaches or if you are hoping for a quick fix or silver bullet to help you. Nervous system regulation and trauma healing take time and dedication to using the tools, even if just a little bit each day. We build trust with the body by connecting with it in many small ways over time, just like we build trust with other people. That said, you can see big differences in a small amount of time when you invest in yourself this way.

Frequently Asked Questions