What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic Therapy, also known as Somatic counseling, somatic experiencing therapy, or SE therapy, works on the subconscious patterns stored in your body to alleviate them physically, mentally and emotionally, utilizing the brain’s plasticity to create everlasting change. Although we may not recall all events in our life, our body does. Imagine all that stress you have felt, but left unprocessed, stored in your body. As a result, you are having upper back or neck pain. That’s just one example of what can happen.
During our sessions, we work together with you to learn about your body / mind. With the help of our educated hands and sense of touch, you will become gradually more educated about your own body. Approaching the body as the unconscious mind, we work with the layers of tissue to explore what moves freely. What feels restricted? What is holding or tight and what is loose or unstable? Together with you, we explore through dialogue, through movement and sensation. When we successfully identify a holding pattern, we can then find ways to alleviate the variety of mental, emotional and/or physical discomforts that may accompany this pattern.
Since each body and mind is unique, we offer personalized programs specific to your needs. Since every session creates change on a cellular level, you are different after every session. Each time we meet, we will be addressing a new version of you.
Our Somatic Therapy Sessions have influence from Meditation, Yoga’s 8 limbs, Presencing Touch, Massage, Shamanism and much more.
Testimonials
“What more can I say about Debby other than to tell everybody that my friend and I – who, like most of the students in our yoga class, have back problems – credit her with so much. These life-enhancing, breathing postures and strengthening exercises have brought about measurable improvements in health for all of us. Her diagnostic skills, along with her individual attention in private classes, are helping me every day.”
— Roz F
“In sessions with Madelana I feel immediately a sense of peace and calm in my body and how I can suddenly make a more integrated connection with all the parts because of how gentle the work is and how deep and how profoundly it really touches, literally touches, my nervous system. I sense that afterwards I get a recharge. More connection. Dancers always have imbalances. We’re always striving to find more balance and less pain… and, yes, it worked!”
— Teresa P
“ I was experiencing a lot of stress in my life… I came in for a session with Madelana and it just completely affected me… I felt it was the thing that could really help ground me again. So I was hooked!”
— Georgette Z
“After a series of sessions with Richard and following his daily movement exercises provided, I began to regain mobility in my right shoulder. Within a few weeks I was no longer in pain! I am now back to work and I am happy to report my shoulder is fine. Thank you Richard for your gift and beautiful touch!”
— Karen L
“My youngest son, Gage, was walking in New York City one day and became literally paralyzed from the waist up with a neck spasm that overtook him from out of nowhere. My wife brought him to see Richard right away and, in one session, my son got off the table with his full range of motion restored. His only comment to my wife was ‘I don’t know what he did, but it felt great!’”
— Ashley H
“Debby Catanio changed my life. As a Senior, I developed Scoliosis. I was badly bent over, and had difficulty walking. Debby and I began working with yoga postures specifically designed to combat curvatures of the spine. She always demonstrates and explains. She is gentle and caring. She looks for new movements, and is always open to trying my suggestions. I am much straighter now. I have flexibility and stronger bones. I have little or no pain. I have my life back. My thanks, Debby, you will always be my yoga guru. You are amazing.”
— Anita D