online Throughout Oregon
Somatic therapy
Specialized, Body-Based therapy for Adults
Your Body Holds What Your Mind Can’t Process
Your nervous system remembers everything: the loss that knocked the wind out of you, the relationship patterns that make your stomach clench, the big life changes that left you feeling like a stranger in your own skin.
SOMATIC THERAPY WORKS DIRECTLY WITH YOUR BODY’S WISDOM.
Instead of just talking about what happened, we pay attention to what is happening now: the tension in your jaw, the flutter in your chest, the way you hold your breath when certain topics come up.
You might relate if...
Your shoulders carry the weight of everything, even when you’re supposed to be relaxing
You feel anxious in relationships but can’t pinpoint why exactly; it’s just this knot in your stomach when someone gets too close
You’re exhausted from big changes in your life (kids moving out, divorce or serious break-up, moving to a new city) that everyone else thinks you should be “over by now”
Your body goes into high alert over things that don’t actually put you in danger
You feel numb or disconnected, like you’re watching your life from the outside
Sleep doesn’t restore you because your nervous system won’t fully settle
Why somatic therapy?
When talk therapy isn’t enough
You’ve probably tried talking through your experiences before. Maybe you can tell the story of what happened, understand the patterns, even have insights about why you react the way you do. But your body still responds as if the threat is happening right now.
This is because trauma and overwhelming experiences get stored in your nervous system, not just your memory. Your body learned to protect you: by tensing up, shutting down, or going into high alert — and it’s still doing that job even when you’re safe.
Talk therapy works with the thinking brain. Somatic therapy works with the part of your nervous system that's actually running the show when you’re triggered, anxious, or feeling frozen.
You might notice this if you can logically know a relationship is safe but your body still tenses up around intimacy. Or you understand why you're grieving but can’t shake the physical heaviness. Or you’ve processed your childhood but still feel small and powerless in certain situations.
What somatic therapy Sessions look like
Somatic experiencing is a specialized approach that works with patterns your nervous system has been building for years or decades. Your body learned these protective responses for good reasons, and it needs time to learn new ones.
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We start by noticing what's alive in your body right now. For example, maybe it’s the way your breathing shifts when you mention work stress, or how your posture changes when we talk about your family.
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You'll learn to track sensations — not to analyze them, but to let them move and change naturally. Sometimes this means following the urge to stretch or move. Sometimes it means staying still and breathing into a tight spot in your chest.
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We work at the pace your nervous system can handle. If something feels too intense, we slow down. If you feel disconnected, we find gentle ways back to your body.
Somatic experiencing translates well to virtual sessions
You’ll be in your own space, which often helps your nervous system feel safer to explore and release. I’ll guide you through body awareness exercises and help you track sensations while you’re in the comfort of your own home.
SOMATIC THERAPY
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The body is our greatest ally in the healing process, as it holds the wisdom and resources necessary for healing.
Dr. Peter Levine, developer of Somatic Experiencing
who it’s for
Somatic Therapy is for you if You…
Are willing to sit with uncomfortable physical sensations without immediately escaping (we’ll work together so that you can tolerate this longer and longer!)
Have basic emotional regulation skills (ie: you’re not in constant crisis)
Understand this is gradual work requiring active participation
Have tried talk therapy but you still feel there is work to be done
Have the right environment for private, virtual sessions
Are willing to practice body awareness between sessions
who it’s not for
Somatic Therapy is not for you if you…
Are in active addiction, have a severe eating disorder, or you are experiencing psychosis
Need immediate crisis intervention or you expect instant results
Are heavily medicated in ways that disconnect you from your body sensations
Have severe ADHD/hyperactivity that prevents you sitting still for full sessions
Are currently in legal proceedings related to your trauma
Hi, I’m Jen
I work with people whose bodies remember what their minds want to forget.
Whether it’s grief that sits heavy in your chest, anxiety that lives in your stomach, or trauma that keeps you feeling numb, I help you work directly with your nervous system so that you start to feel at home in your own skin again.
Credentials & fine print…
MA Marylhurt University 2008
Oregon Licensed Professional Counselor
Oregon Licensed Art Therapist
Start your somatic healing journey today.
Sessions are $200 and conducted virtually throughout Oregon
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This is for people who have tried traditional therapy but still feel at the mercy of their body’s reactions. You understand your patterns, maybe even know why you react the way you do, but your nervous system hasn’t gotten the message. Your chest still tightens in relationships, your shoulders still carry everything, or you still feel disconnected after major losses or changes.
It’s for people ready to invest in specialized work. You’re not looking for a quick fix or someone to just listen and nod along. You want actual nervous system change and you’re willing to commit to the process.
You probably relate to feeling like your body is working against you — racing heart when you’re logically safe, carrying tension you can’t shake, or feeling numb when you want to feel connected.
This isn’t for people in active crisis or expecting instant results. You need to be willing and able to slow down and pay attention to subtle body sensations. And you understand that rewiring your nervous system takes time.
Basically, this is for people who are tired of being at war with their own bodies and ready to do the deeper work that talk therapy couldn’t reach.
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Yes, I am currently accepting new clients. I generally work Monday through Wednesday. I have limited afternoon availability, so please contact me to inquire about hours.
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No, I only see clients online.
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My fee is $250 for 55-minutes. If you prefer to work more intensively, I offer 90-minute sessions for $375. If you’d like to schedule a half-day or a multi-day therapy intensive, please see my rates page for more information about package options.
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No, I am not in-network with any insurance company. I would be happy to provide a Superbill (an itemized receipt) for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
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I primarily use art therapy (also called expressive art therapy, or creative art therapy) and somatic therapy.
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Yes, but only when it will be helpful and effective for you. If you’ve already had a lot of talk therapy, it’s likely time to try a more body-based approach. like somatic experiencing.
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I offer complimentary 30-minute consultations to prospective clients so that you and I can get a feel for what it will be like to work together. However, if that doesn’t work for you, I’d be happy to schedule your intake appointment.
Please scroll down to my contact form, or send me a message on my contact page and I will respond within 48 business hours with my availability.
frequently asked questions About working with me
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I help you notice and work with physical sensations, breathing patterns, and nervous system responses. We might track how your shoulders tense when discussing work, or explore what happens in your body when you feel anxious. The focus is on present-moment body awareness rather than analyzing past events.
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We start by checking in with how you're feeling physically right now. I might ask you to notice your breathing or scan your body for tension. We work slowly; if something feels intense, we pause and help your nervous system settle before continuing.
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No, never. All somatic work in my practice is verbal guidance. I might suggest you place your own hand on your chest or notice how your feet feel on the floor, but I don't use any physical touch.
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You might experience spontaneous tears, yawning, trembling, or feeling suddenly tired. Some people feel warmth spreading through their body or notice their breathing naturally deepening. These are normal nervous system responses.
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If you’ve done talk therapy but still feel hijacked by your nervous system (tight chest, clenched jaw, racing heart when you’re objectively safe), somatic work can help. Also, if you feel disconnected from your body or numb.
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Some people notice shifts in their first session, like being able to breathe deeper. Lasting changes typically take months as your nervous system learns new patterns. Everyone’s timeline is different.
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They work differently. CBT focuses on thoughts, EMDR processes specific traumatic memories, and somatic therapy works with nervous system responses. Many people benefit from combining approaches or trying somatic work when other therapies haven’t been enough.
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Basic body awareness exercises can be helpful, but working with trauma requires professional guidance. Your nervous system needs the co-regulation and safety of a therapeutic relationship to make lasting changes.
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It's usually gentle, not dramatic. You might feel tension melting away, emotions moving through you, or a sense of settling. Some people describe it as finally being able to exhale fully or feeling more present in their body.
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We’ll start with weekly sessions. As your nervous system stabilizes, we might meet every other week or monthly. The frequency depends on your specific needs and progress.
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It's your nervous system’s natural way of releasing stored energy from stressful experiences. Animals do this in the wild after escaping danger. In therapy, we work with these impulses gently and let them complete naturally.
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People who feel controlled by their body’s memory despite understanding their patterns, those with physical symptoms of anxiety or trauma, and anyone who feels disconnected from their body. It’s particularly helpful for complex trauma, grief, and relationship issues.