Somatic Therapy and Counselling
Healing through mind-body connection
Somatic Therapy in Burlington and Online
★ Support for individuals, couples, and families. Somatic therapy is a holistic approach to healing that recognizes the connection between the mind and body.
★ This therapeutic method focuses on how emotional and psychological issues manifest physically. Through mindfulness, breathwork, and bodily awareness, somatic therapy encourages individuals to explore and release tension, trauma and stored emotions held in the body.
★ By fostering a deeper understanding of the body's sensations, movements, and rhythms, somatic therapy empowers individuals to reconnect with their bodies, facilitating a profound journey toward healing and self-discovery.
When you are triggered, do you freeze, feel a lump in your throat, or a pit in your stomach?
Are you experiencing consistent body aches, tightness in your jaws, and tension in your shoulders and back?
Our Somatic therapist can help!
Somatic therapy is a form of holistic counselling that engages your body and mind in healing. Traditional therapy involves mostly talk therapy. It literally means talking to a therapist, such as telling the therapist your story. But sometimes, we don’t remember our traumas.
Our brain is trying to protect us and we forget the hurtful pasts. Sometimes it’s even too hard to talk about the past or the pain you are going through. Through somatic therapy, you don’t have to share the stories, if you don’t want to. Your body remembers the hurts and distresses you went through. And that’s where healing begins.
Through somatic therapy, the therapist will guide you to delve and pay attention into your breath, physical sensations, movements, stretches, nervous system that is associated with your emotions, thoughts, and past experiences.
Through somatic therapy, you can release stored tension, better regulate your emotions, activate your strengths and resources, and create a deeper connection with yourself and others. This approach acknowledges that our bodies often carry the imprint of unresolved traumas and stress.
No Waitlists, Online and In-person therapy is available
What is the difference between a “top-down” and “bottom-up” approach to therapy?
You may or may not have heard these terms before. We hope that clarifying these terms also helps you decide which types of therapy you want.
In simple terms, our brain is divided into 2 parts. We refer to the top parts of the brain as the frontal lobe and pre-frontal cortex. These parts of the brain are involved in logic, reasoning, problem-solving, and language. And the bottom parts of the brain refers to the lower regions of the brain that is responsible for sensory and emotional processing.
So in therapy, if we are using a “top-down approach”, we would be working on changing our thoughts from negative to positive, language and what you say to yourself/others, patterns, decision making, and working thorough our issues cognitively. Some modalities that takes a top-down approach are CBT and DBT, where we help you think differently.
A “bottom-up approach” is the opposite. We are working from the lower regions of the brain that is responsible for emotional processing and our senses to help regulate our emotions and help us cope. Some modalities that take a bottom-up approach are somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and mindfulness approaches.
Our therapists uses a mixture of both top-down and bottom-up approaches. While top-down therapy helps you make sense of your experiences and reframe your thoughts and perspective, a bottom-up approach, provides a somatic (body based) and sensory based approach to release trauma from your body.
Types of Somatic Therapy we use and what to expect?
At The Therapeutic Way, we use different modalities to help you.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
includes breath-work, paying attention to your body, thoughts, and emotions, relaxation techniques
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
includes mindfulness-based approaches + paying attention to your gestures, movements, sensations, emotions, and cognitions
Somatic Experiencing
includes mindfulness-based approaches, relaxation techniques + paying attention your memories, strengths, sensations, emotions.
EMDR
includes mindfulness, grounding exercises, bilateral stimulations (eye movements, taps, sounds) to reprocess and heal distress memories.
Our somatic therapists in Burlington creates a safe and welcoming space for you to unravel and process these embodied experiences to promote resilience and healing. Somatic therapy offers a place where you can safely experience your body experiences which empowers you to create a harmonious relationship between your mental and physical selves.
Because we are working with the body, you can expect your therapist asking you to move, stand, look/turn around, sit in a different position etc. You will learn somatic exercises that takes into account your health and mobility to ensure this practice is safe for you.
Choosing somatic healing is an investment in holistic healing, allowing you to navigate life with greater awareness, authenticity, and a restored sense of balance.
Book a consult with a somatic therapist
Reduced Cost Therapy
We are now offering affordable therapy sessions at a reduced cost to ensure finances are not a barrier to therapy. This is to ensure that therapy is accessible even if you have limited or no insurance coverage. Our licensed therapist interns offers online individual sessions starting at $80 and couples and family sessions starts at $120. Additional sliding scale options are available upon request and based on availability. We do not charge HST. To learn more about affordable therapy, click here.
If you are looking for a fresh perspective, book a consultation call below.
Therapists specializing in Somatic Therapy at The Therapeutic Way
Vidhi Joshi
*Accepting New Clients online
Syeda Zaidi
*Accepting New Clients online and in-person
Samantha Burns
*Accepting New Clients online
Caroline Martini
*Accepting New Clients online at reduced cost.
At The Therapeutic Way, Counselling and Psychotherapy Services, we pride ourselves in using a holistic approach to counselling. Our therapists uses modalities such as Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Mindfulness Based Approaches to help your mind and body heal.
We offer somatic therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, grief, stress and much more. You will learn breath work, mindfulness, gentle stretches, being attuned to your body and trusting the wisdom of your body to heal.
A lot of people feel awkward when they first start engaging in somatic therapy, and that is normal (because it is different from traditional talk therapy). But our caring therapists work with your gently and safely to ensure your healing process.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation call with a licensed therapist to see what we offer.
Heal your mind and BODY!
We offer a 20 mins free consultation so we can discuss how somatic healing can help you.
FAQs
Please reach us at info@thetherapeuticway.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.
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Fees
Individual therapy: 50 mins, 75 mins, 90 mins: $150- $180 +HST
Couples therapy: 50 mins, 75 mins, 90 mins: $170- $210 +HST
Family therapy: 50 mins, 75 mins, 90 mins: $170- $210 +HST
Cancellation fee is charged as follows:
Less than 24 hours before the appointment: 50% of session rate
No-show appointment: 100% of session rate
In case of illness or emergency, one time exemption and thereafter we require 24 hours notice
Arriving beyond 20 minutes late will require a re-scheduling of your appointment.
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Yes, we do.
It is recommended that you reach out to your insurance provider before our session to confirm whether your services are covered by a registered psychotherapist and eligible for reimbursement.
After our session, you will be provided with a receipt that includes all the information required to submit to your insurer for reimbursement. If you have not been reimbursed, remember to keep your receipts to claim for tax deductions as medical expenses on your personal income tax filing.
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The type of therapy that is best for you, depends on you as a person and the reason you are seeking therapy. There are different types of therapy, such as somatic-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma-informed therapies, holistic therapy, existential therapy, and more. The type of therapy that is right for you will depend what you are looking for. While you may have an input in this, majority of the time the therapist will know what is best suited for you and will let you know.
At The Therapeutic Way, we work with clients using an integrative approach to therapy, meaning using different modalities to suit your needs. We use a trauma-informed, holistic, and relational approach to working with you. Click here to learn more.
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The difference between psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist, depends on education and scope of practice.
Psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist can provide therapy called talk therapy.
A psychotherapist can provide therapy under the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario, a psychologist can provide therapy under the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and a psychiatrist can provide therapy under College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
Difference:
Psychotherapist Education: Master’s Degree or higher
Psychologist Education: PhD or PsyD.
Psychiatrist: MD
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Psychotherapist: Can’t diagnose
Psychologist: Can do assessment and diagnose
Psychiatrist: Can do assessment, diagnose, and prescribe medication
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Psychotherapist Training: Counselling and focus on therapy techniques
Psychologist: Focus on clinical research and assessment
Psychiatrist: Use medical treatment such as prescribing medications for mental health conditions
Before seeking help, it’s important to know what you need and are seeking. A consultation call can help you decide.
At The Therapeutic Way, we are registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario.
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The term psychotherapy and counselling are often used interchangeably with some slight differences. Psychotherapy refers to the treatment based for psychological disorders and mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, ect. Counselling refers to wellness support and providing insights and clarity which leads to growth or personal betterment.
At The Therapeutic Way, we provide both psychotherapy and counselling.
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Online therapy is as effective as in person therapy. What is most important with any format of therapy is the strong therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist. Online therapy is a good option when coming in-person is not feasible, when you have dependents at home, and it is also more convenient.
At The Therapeutic Way, we offer online therapy and therapy by phone from the convenience of your home. Click here to learn more about our online therapy.