Somatic Psychotherapy
for a more embodied healing experience
Why Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a form of therapy that integrates the mind and body. When talk therapy is not enough, somatic approaches offer an integrated lens that allows the wisdom of the body to be expressed and explored. Dr. Jean creates a safe, therapeutic container from which each client can begin to develop a greater coherency of their daily life experiences and an understand of how their bodily experiences are interwoven.
What is Embodiment?
Everyone has a unique experience of themselves in their body. This experience can shift from feeling grounded, present and aware, to feeling disconnected, detached, or distracted from the present moment. Dr. Jean uses somatically focused techniques that help to strengthen self-awareness and develop an understanding of how to navigate these shifts. By listening to your body’s cues and developing a relationship with your body, you can create a greater capacity for embodiment .
What is Trauma?
Over the past 20 years, top researchers in the field of psychology and neurobiology have formed a better understanding of the effects of trauma on our mental health. Trauma effects our capacity to develop secure relationships and manage our emotional states, and it can inhibit social, emotional, and cognitive development. Though it is commonly understood that trauma is caused by physical or emotional pain, the stress of day-to-day life can also chip away at our sense of safety. When you are constantly in “survival mode,” stress hormones can create similar effects in the body. If you believe you have experienced trauma, set up a consultation with Dr. Jean to discuss whether AF-EMDR therapy might be an appropriate therapy for you.
What is AF-EMDR?
(Attachment Focused EMDR)
EMDR, which is stands for eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing, is a gentle therapeutic treatment approach that uses a variety of bilateral (alternating right and left side of the body) stimulation to aid in processing trauma. Dr. Francine Shapiro developed and researched the technique and established the EMDR Institute in 1990. It is a highly recognized, empirically validated approach to treating trauma and PTSD. Laurel Parnell, a student of Dr. Shapiro, developed a unique protocol called Attachment Focused EMDR (AF-EMDR). Attachment Focused EMDR blends well with somatic focused therapies and is supported by the client-therapist relationship. Dr. Jean completed her basic training with Parnell Institute on 2022 and can treat clients in-person or over telehealth.
