There's no need to figure out in advance whether somatic therapy can help you. Most likely, you'll know before you ever come in. Worst case, you'll know after one diagnostic session.
So if you feel you need help, you can simply try it. You're not committing to anything.
The rules I hold myself to in my practice:
Everything you share in a session stays in the session. I don't discuss clients with anyone: not with colleagues as an "anonymous case," not with family over dinner. No photos, no success stories, no mentions on social media. I don't do social media, blogs, or podcasts at all. You won't find a single name anywhere on this site. I won't ask for your permission to share your story, and I won't share it, even if you offer. You can read about my approach to client testimonials here.
No one but me reads your WhatsApp messages. There's no assistant with access to my messages.
If a friend recommended me, they'll hear about your visit only from you. I neither confirm nor deny that anyone is my client.
I leave enough time between sessions. Partly because this work takes focus, and it doesn't go well when I'm tired. And partly so that you never run into another client.
I won't ask for ID, and you don't have to give your real name.
You can ask whatever you need to know without giving your name.
Sessions take place in a private room with its own bathroom.
During bodywork, you can stay in whatever underwear feels comfortable to you. Your ability to relax matters more than my convenience.
There's a changing area behind a screen. You can get ready for the session slowly, without rushing.
You're not a passive patient, but an active participant. You share the physical sensations and emotional reactions that come up during therapy, and together we make sense of them and plan the next steps.
You set the intensity: the pace of the change you'll be going through. You can choose a higher intensity if you're ready for stronger sensations and experiences. Or a lower one, and the changes will unfold so gradually you barely notice them. At times it may even feel like nothing is happening, until you look back at where you started and realize everything has already changed.
You can stop the work with any part of your body at any point, ask me to change the pressure, take a break, or end the session. You don't have to justify or explain your decision if you don't want to.
If something causes discomfort, that's a reason to stop and figure out together how to adjust the work, not to push through it.
You can pause or stop therapy at any point without explaining why. I don't take money in advance: you only pay for sessions that have already happened.
You can bring someone with you if that's more comfortable. They can be present during the bodywork or only during the conversation, or wait behind the screen while we work.
If you want them with you during bodywork but would rather not discuss certain things in front of them, let me know, and we'll figure out a setup that works for you.
I answer messages myself, between clients, usually the same or the next evening. There's no assistant, so I often can't reply right away. But I answer every single message. No exceptions.
In my work, I follow the six principles of trauma-informed care, a standard developed by the U.S. agency SAMHSA for working with people who have experienced trauma. You've just read how I apply them.
You can read more about me, about how I work, and about the kinds of situations I can help with.
Or you can write to me and ask anything that's on your mind,
or leave your contact details, and I'll get back to you myself.