Somatic Therapy (Body Centered)

Utilizing tools found within sensorimotor psychotherapy, somatic experiencing, pain reprocessing therapy, as well as mindfulness and guided visualization, much of my work is grounded in the mind-body relationship and providing tools to support a client in enhancing awareness of this connection as well as regulating the nervous system.

Mind, Body, Soul: it is all interconnected. Annikki will provide education on recognizing somatic sensations and feelings in the body, learn grounding techniques, mindfulness and meditation, as well incorporating art in the form of color to help release what no longer serves you and or to express yourself in another way.

I began training in Somatic Experiencing in 2010, officially became a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in 2014, and was an assistant trainer for years. It and the basis in understanding the nervous system from Polyvagal Theory is deeply integrated into how I approach treatment and in addition to providing individual therapy from this lens, I have been built a group therapy program called Resiliency and Regulation where individuals can learn the principles and practices.

Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that integrates the mind and body in the healing process, particularly for trauma and stress-related conditions. Unlike traditional talk therapies that primarily focus on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy emphasizes the physical experiences and sensations in the body as a pathway to healing.

A lot my grad school coursework was based on somatic practices. I also, have a Hakomi Level 1 certification. My masters thesis was on The Implications of Reiki Integrated Psychotherapy. I have taken many seminars in mindfulness and have a certification from John F. Kennedy University in Buddhist Psychology.

I found my way to Pyschotherapy as a result of many clients emotional experiences as a massage/ CranioSacral therapist. So many clients were having emotional releases and needed help to process them, so I became a therapist. What does somatic therapy mean and look like? Implicit memories (the ones without a movie in our head) that ares stored in the body keep people stuck. These memories can be released and accessed with or without the story being shared to heal the body and the mind.

Somatic therapy is a powerful way of healing trauma and releasing unprocessed painful experiences. By releasing the physical and emotional tension stored in the body, we can let go of past hurts and unlock the power of emotional healing. I use mindfulness practices, including breathwork, recovery yoga, and meditation, to help you connect with your bodies and facilitate this release. It’s a gentle and effective approach that can lead to profound healing and transformation.

The Somatic Experiencing® method is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma and other stress disorders. Somatic Experiencing® explores where an individual may be “stuck” in a fight, flight, or freeze response and works with an individual’s natural resilience to move through these “stuck” self-protective responses. I am a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner and I have assisted with Somatic Experiencing® trainings around the country.

Informed by in-depth studies of Bioenergetics and Alexander Lowen’s work, my approach to Somatic Therapy emphasizes the integration of body awareness to promote deep, holistic healing. This focus enables clients to connect their physical experiences with emotional insights, facilitating a comprehensive path to wellness.

Somatic Experiencing techniques are some of my favorite to use in session. Our bodies keep the score of every event we have endured, and connecting the emotional to the physical can be a powerful, moving experience. Expanding this connection can transform the way you show up in relationships and the way you view the world. Every nervous system is capable of finding and keeping regulation- let's discover the pathway that works for you :)

My degree is specialized in body psychotherapy and I work holistically with the mind-body-spirit connection from a trauma informed lens, using the felt sense of the body as a guide into deeper emotional recognition and processing.

I am a body based therapist who centers the body in a lot of our work together. I use a bottom up approach to listening to our bodies and utilizing that information to help us heal.

Prior to my career as a counselor, I practiced as a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Florida for 7 years. Since beginning my career in counseling I have received training and supervision in a range of somatic-based therapies and have consistently brought awareness of the body into my work with clients.

Our bodies hold important information, when we're able to listen. I've done trainings with Peter Levine and Bessel van der Kolk , and integrate their valuable lessons into my therapeutic work. We will get "centered" at the beginning of every session, slowing down and noticing the important experiences that we have in our core, in that "place without words." By listening closely to our emotions, paired with our thoughts, we find greater clarity and the energy we need for change and growth.

With specific training in Somatic Intervention (SI) I utilize the body to: * Heal trauma & other stress disorders * Move toward more safety & connection with yourself & others * Discharge tension in the body & associated memories that bring discomfort to distress * Sense & interrupt habitual patterns (ie anxiety, anger, stress or fear) & then to move forward in your life centered & more calm * Improve negative situations & change their course * Increase your sense of being understood * & More!

My somatic approach centers on the idea that our bodies hold memories, emotions, and experiences that shape our well-being. By tuning into bodily sensations and physical responses, we access deep-seated emotions and trauma that may be beyond words. Through mindfulness, breathwork, and movement, I help you connect with your body’s wisdom, releasing stored tension and fostering self-awareness. This process supports healing, grounding, and a deeper connection between mind and body.

We hold feelings and emotions in our body. When we learn to listen to our bodies, we begin to understand where these emotions start and this is key to management and self regulation.

You're probably way too in your head about it. Your body does SO much. Have you tried thanking it? Humor me with this: identify a part of your body you are grateful for. Then THANK IT and notice how it feels to appreciate it. It takes a lot more work and energy to NOT be friends with your body 💜

My approaches based on my perspective that the deep wisdom of our body can support you through many of your challenges. By harnessing your movement, sensations, and breath, you can learn to access the parts of yourself that exist beneath your consciousness. In doing so, you will be able to re-experience yourself in ways beyond your old stories—and, help you learn, grow, and heal.