Extended-Session Somatic Psychotherapy

somatic psychotherapy intensives

  • extended sessions are 90 minutes long

  • these sessions have a particular format

Sometimes regular-format therapy isn’t a good match because of scheduling or other reasons. Week to week therapy helps create rhythm & consistency, while extended sessions offer the opportunity to move more deeply into a process without interruption. I offer both.

Extended Sessions have a particular format & purpose…they are not simply longer sessions. I currently offer what I refer to as an Embodiment Deep-Dive that includes 6 possible phases.

Phases can be repeated as many times as desired & moving to another phase is considered carefully.

Extended sessions can be combined with regularly scheduled psychotherapy or constructed to be stand-alone or a stand-alone series.

My approach to embodiment is neurodivergent friendly!

embodiment deep-dive

THE PURPOSE OF THIS INTENSIVE SERIES IS TO INCREASE EMBODIMENT & CONNECTION TO SELF.

phase one:

  • in-depth guided somatic body scan

  • journey into the spine & the nervous system

  • sounding & vocal toning

phase two:

  • exploring posture, breath & emotion

  • introducing impulse toward movement & how the body releases & moves energy

  • developmental movement assessment

phase three:

  • assessing your orienting response

  • working with vision & eye orienting patterns & projection

phase four:

  • introduction to boundary work

  • assessing yes/no in the body

  • emphasis on yield & push, deepening developmental movement

phase five:

  • building connection with Self

  • introducing somatic mapping

  • assessing somatic holding patterns

phase six:

(needs at least 2 sessions)

  • assessing sensory systems for neurodivergent understanding & function

  • mapping capacity in 6 primary energy functions for neurodivergence

    *includes a self-paced course to introduce my energy tracking system & boundary setting process

what can embodiment intensives help with?

preverbal & birth trauma

sensory processing issues

dissociation patterns

depression & anxiety

sleep challenges

relational issues

feeling lost or that you don’t belong

feeling stuck

trouble making & maintaining boundaries

attention & focus issues

EXTENDED PSYCHOTHERAPY FORMAT OPTIONS

  • 4 weeks of focus

    We meet for a 90-minute session once/week for 4 weeks in a row to work through as many phases as desired (phases can be repeated).

    I recommend this approach particularly to concentrate on one phase for 4 weeks. This can really maximize the skills of an individual phase.

  • monthly intensive

    We meet for 90-minute sessions spaced once/month to work through as many phases as desired (phases can be repeated).

    This is a great approach for those on a tighter budget, but I recommend a commitment of 6-12 months for greatest impact.

  • intensive as add-on

    We meet for 90-minute sessions in addition to weekly or biweekly sessions.

    This is a good approach if time & budget allow. The pacing can be more spontaneous & stretched out as appropriate to client needs.

embodiment intensives may be a good fit if…

  • you want to improve your relationship with your emotional expression

  • you want to be able to track your body needs

  • you want to feel more “you”

  • you enjoy focusing on personal growth in a concentrated way

  • you benefit when someone else holds the “container” for you to focus

  • you want to build your tools for more well-being in your life

  • you have challenges with pacing your energy expenditure

  • you experience a lot of physical, mental &/or emotional burnout

 FAQs for Clients

  • Working on interoception, identifying/naming emotions, building congruence in thought, body language, & greater self-awareness have ALL been shown (yes, there are studies) to contribute to overall well-being, better decision making & emotional regulation.

    All of these improvements in turn support better relationships & life satisfaction.

  • Yes, embodiment work can be a great compliment to your other therapies.

    It will be good to let your therapist know that you are working on embodiment.

  • I will provide an outline for what we will be working on for each phase in advance.

    You’ll wear comfortable clothes such as you would for a yoga class, so you can breathe & move with ease.

    For those who like to do some homework, I can give you some practices to work on before or between sessions.

    If that’s not for you, no problem.

  • Yes, we can take a break at any time.

  • If any of these apply to you as a current reality, I must insist that you be in therapy with someone else to support you with these needs.

    In general, I refer out for active substance addiction, all eating disorders & would need to see you for regular psychotherapy if you are experiencing suicidal intent.

  • No, it’s pay as you go at each session.

 FAQs for Therapists

  • It’s hard to answer this question without knowing the situation, but generally, the more emotional & body-attunement a person has, the more present they are for psychotherapy.

    Additionally, it keeps you from needing to learn mindfulness, somatic psychotherapy & meditation practices.

  • My graduate degree is in Contemplative Psychotherapy (Naropa University) which has included over 15 years of intensive somatic meditation retreat practice (Maitri Space Awareness & retreat with Reggie Ray & Dharma Ocean Sangha).

    In addition, I have engaged a serious study of Tai Chi, Somatic Groundwork, Continuum Movement & Body-Mind Centering.

    I also built training programs for Windhorse Elder Care (Contemplative home-health & end of life care) & trained staff in emotional regulation techniques for our clients.

    I am also trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, a trauma-processing modality.

  • No. I believe in this offering as a compliment to other therapies….especially those who want to use their insurance (I don’t take insurance) with you as their primary person for weekly psychotherapy or counseling.

let’s work together

If you would like to begin working together, schedule via my self-scheduler for a 50 minute initial session.

You can indicate if you would like to meet online or in-person in Columbia, MO.