Somatic Therapy Ohio & Virginia

Somatic Therapy

Polyvagal Theory/Nervous System Therapy

Polyvagal Theory/Nervous System Therapy

You might have heard about, or experienced for yourself, being in a “fight, flight or freeze” state. This language is commonly associated with Polyvagal Theory and refers to states of the autonomic nervous system. When we can work to understand the characteristics of our unique nervous system states through “neuroception,” we can begin to build common ground for our body and brain to work together to respond to trauma and stressors associated with everyday life.

Created by Stephen Porges, PhD, Polyvagal Theory takes a closer look at the autonomic nervous system’s role in regulating our physical and psychological health and wellness. Polyvagal Theory provides a somatic-based framework that helps us understand how our nervous system responds to various situations, including during times of safety, threat, or danger.

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Applied Polyvagal Theory in therapeutic yoga is the integration of the polyvagal theory with the mindfulness, breathwork, postures, and movements associated with yoga. The model focuses on three sensory awareness tracks – interoception, exteroception, and proprioception – and how we can tune into these to learn how to recognize and respond effectively to various nervous system states, which improves our ability to tolerate distress.

Therapeutic yoga provides an invitation to explore the whole self through movement, breathwork, and self-compassion without the pressure of nailing the postures.

My goal for therapeutic yoga is to create a space of safety grounded in choice. You can expect me to encourage you to reclaim how you feel safe within your body while exploring how it might look to lean into distress with compassion. We can explore how your body and nervous system respond to gentle movement and breathwork.
No previous yoga experience is required. 😊

The SSP can help improve nervous system regulation, enhance and accelerate the impacts of other therapies, and help to increase pro-social behavior thus improving connection to others and our ability to feel safe in our world.

The SSP is a comprehensive adjunct listening therapy that stimulates the vagus nerve to help regulate the autonomic nervous system. The music involved in the SSP has been specially filtered to highlight specific sound frequencies that help facilitate nervous system repatterning to improve the perception of calming sound frequencies, enhancing autonomic regulation by changing the way it responds to environmental cues.

*Please note the SSP is not a standalone therapy and is meant to be combined with therapy where you can learn skills and techniques for improving consistent self- & co-regulatory practices.

Information retrieved from the Integrated Listening System’s website. Click to learn more about the SSP and how it works.

Ego State Therapy – “Parts work”

Maybe at some point in your life, you’ve thought, “Wow, one part of me feels this way, and another part of me feels that way. What do I do?”

This can be explored through Ego State Therapy, also commonly referred to as “parts work.” This is a psychodynamic approach that understands people are made of “ego states”, or bundles of neural networks that contain separate experiences, personality traits, memories, and sometimes traumatic experiences. When trauma, stress, or a significant event occurs, ego states may form as a protective mechanism of our nervous system. This can lead to anxiety, depression, numbing, avoidance, difficulty focusing, anger, relational stress, and even trouble with memory.

Ego State Therapy holds the belief that there are no bad or unwanted parts of you – only aspects that call for greater awareness and compassion, with a new way of doing things. This is especially true for the parts of you that have been affected by chronic stress, abuse, neglect, or trauma. Through the various tools Ego State Therapy has to offer, we help you understand and develop compassion for all parts of you, even the “shadowy” parts that you might be ashamed or afraid to address.

Through understanding each part, we can explore who you are and how you want to show up in your life and relationships so you can regain balance, wholeness, and internal resolve.

Attachment Theory

Attachment Theory is based on neuroscience that demonstrates human beings are wired to be deeply connected to others. Our attachment relationship begins in utero and continues throughout adulthood, as we connect and explore all kinds of relationships.

In therapy, it is crucial to consider an individual’s early attachment connections as these often lend themselves to how we develop our sense of self, relationships with others, and our relationship with the world around us. Early attachment experiences include those with parents and caregivers, family dynamics and relationships, role models, teachers, and other people who were present throughout our lives.

When we don’t connect strongly to other individuals during early development, or experience ruptures in those connections, it’s not uncommon to have trouble connecting to yourself and others as you grow. Unmet attachment needs can lead to issues with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, and trouble connecting with others.

Through using an attachment lens, we help you to identify any unmet needs from childhood and tend to them in the way you need. This can help improve your confidence and empower you to break familial cycles and find greater depth and intimacy in your most important relationships.

Mindfulness

It’s likely you have been introduced to mindfulness in some capacity and might be wondering what it’s all about. Maybe traditional forms of mindfulness, like breathing techniques or meditation, aren’t your jam and it doesn’t feel like mindfulness is clicking for you.

My approach to mindfulness is in the literal application of the process – bringing awareness to what is happening in that very moment. Tending to these moment-to-moment insights opens up the opportunity to connect with and understand ourselves in a much deeper sense. We can harness the power of the nervous system to improve our sense of control, emotion regulation, and our felt sense of safety within ourselves and our worlds.

woman sitting peacefully at home