1:1 Somatic Coaching
So you’re interested in somatic coaching with me! You might be wondering, what does “somatic” even mean? How does being queer and/or neurodivergent fit in? Is it possible to change how I respond to stress and conflicts? What if I’m just destined to be so [reactive, isolated, people-pleasing, etc.]?
I’m so glad you’re asking. The parts of you that are hurt, suspicious, or despairing are welcome here too.
Let’s break it down:
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“Somatic” is a new-ish term (coined in the 1970s by Thomas Hanna) from the Greek root Soma which means “the living body in its wholeness.” Therapy, coaching, or movement practices that focus on sensation and feeling in your body are called “somatic”.
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Coaching is a 1:1 relationship where the client and coach meet regularly over a period of time in order to make progress on the client’s goals. Coaches are trained professionals with an expertise in a particular area such as leadership, business, or relationships.
I’m a queer, neurodivergent somatic coach with a special interest in supporting my clients to develop healthy relationship skills so they can create safe, loving community that celebrates who they are.
I trained at the Strozzi Institute for Somatics.
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Somatic coaching is a form of coaching that focuses on the body through sensation, feeling, awareness, and movement. It’s a guided process where you will contact your conditioned shaping and protective strategies at the level of tissue and muscle where they live in order to learn more about them and offer them a chance to transform.
Somatic coaching a “bottom-up” approach that is distinctly different from “top-down” therapy or coaching that primarily uses conversation to focus on changing your mindset or thoughts.
Have you ever thought: “Wow, I’m so good at intellectualizing my emotions. I know where this is coming from and why I’m upset, but all this knowledge isn’t changing how I feel!” This is an example of “top-down” processing from the mind that can miss crucial aspects of the body’s emotional and energetic experience.
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I’m passionate about working with other queer and/or neurodivergent people, especially “masked” autistic people or people who consider themselves highly sensitive, because I really enjoy connecting with other queer neurodivergent people. If you’re looking for a somatic coach or relationship skills coach who shares some of these identities with you, we might be a good fit.
In my experience, somatic coaching radically transformed my ability to understand my own emotions and the emotions of other people — because I could feel them in my body rather than just holding them in my head. It also increased my ability to sense and notice when I’m approaching my limits, instead of hyperfocusing or masking until all of my energy is gone. By practicing embodied relationship skills such as noticing my needs, making requests, and setting boundaries, I’ve become better equipped to deal with sensory overwhelm and live in closer community with other neurodivergent people.
I’m not an autism/neurodivergence expert — just another member of the community who brings my lived experience to my somatic coach training.
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The first time we meet (your free 45 min discovery call), we map out how you want to transform. We focus on who you want to become and the life you want to experience. After that, each session will be another step towards realizing those goals.
A typical session might look like this:
15 minutes of conversation to check in, share updates, and identify what you want to focus on or work with that day
30 minutes of somatic practice. We may be standing, sitting, moving, or performing various actions and gestures. I may lead you through a body scan and coach you to feel more specific sensations. You might take on different “shapes” to physically exaggerate the protective moves your body wants to make. Every practice will be tailored to your goals of how you want to transform: setting boundaries, processing grief, learning more about how you respond to conflict, etc.
15 minutes of conversation to debrief, harvest learnings, and set intentions or practices for the time between sessions
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Most of the coaching and somatic therapy I have received in my time has been virtual. I’m amazed at the power of working in your own space, in a place that is already known to your body.
Since a session will include more movement than just sitting and talking, here are some best practices:
Set up in a quiet, private space where you won’t be disturbed
Make sure you have enough room to take a step forward or swing your arms around
Play with adjusting your camera/laptop so that most of your body can be visible whether you’re sitting, standing, or on the floor (all practices can be modified for accessibility)
Finally, you might want to bring a glass of water or cup of tea and your favorite blanket, pillow, or stuffed animal for comfort and support.
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I offer 60 minute sessions on a sliding scale. Rates go as low as $50/session when you commit to booking twice a month.
I ask clients who benefit from disposable income or generational wealth to invest at $100 or more to support sliding scale options.
The bodies of trees naturally create forests. Leaves, branches, and eventually whole trunks decompose into soil that feeds the seeds dropped earlier in life. Roots tangle under the ground and send nutrients and messages to neighbors. Wind shakes all the branches in an ecstatic dance and storms are weathered together.
If a tree was instead planted in the narrow gap between sidewalk and street, without another tree in reach, would you blame the tree for feeling alone? For feeling unworthy of connection? For feeling sad, bad, or just plain wrong? Or would you recognize that the tree was growing in conditions it wasn’t made for?
“The hurt that shaped you is not your fault, but healing is your responsibility.”
Like trees, we are meant to be rooted in the soft soil of a thousand generations of our ancestors’ leaves. We are meant to grow up with our branches entwined with our neighbors, giving and receiving help with all the creatures who share the land with us. These connections have been broken. But like the tree, they can grow again.
This is an invitation to rewild yourself by practicing the skills that create healthy, secure relationships, processing old grief and shame, and coming home to connections and community that celebrate the real You.
The Story of the Windy Tree
