Sepideh Hossaini
MA, Registered Psychotherapist
Somatic Therapy in Newmarket
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-based approach to psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between the mind and body.
While traditional talk therapy often focuses on thoughts, emotions, and insight, somatic therapy also brings attention to physical sensations, breathing patterns, movement, and nervous system responses.
It is often described as a “bottom-up” approach because it works not only with cognitive understanding, but also with how stress and emotions are experienced within the body.
Many people spend much of their lives disconnected from their body or functioning primarily “in their head.” Somatic therapy gently helps reconnect awareness to the body in a safe and supportive way.
You can think of it as listening to the story your body may be telling alongside the story you are verbally sharing.
Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
Sometimes the body responds to stress before the mind has fully made sense of what is happening.
You might notice:
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“Butterflies” in your stomach before a stressful conversation
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Tightness in your chest when feeling anxious
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Heaviness in your body during periods of low mood or emotional exhaustion
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Feeling constantly “on edge” or unable to fully relax
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Feeling disconnected, restless, or emotionally numb
Many clients describe understanding something logically while still noticing anxiety, tension, or overwhelm in their body.
Somatic therapy helps bring awareness to these experiences in a gentle and supportive way.
By learning to notice physical sensations, nervous system responses, and emotional patterns with curiosity rather than judgment, clients can begin developing greater grounding, regulation, and connection within themselves.
How Somatic Therapy Helps With Anxiety and Trauma
When Insight Alone Does Not Feel Enough
Many individuals seeking therapy already have strong self-awareness.
They may understand their emotions, relationships, or past experiences intellectually, while continuing to notice stress responses within the body and nervous system.
Somatic therapy recognizes that healing involves both awareness and experience.
In addition to insight, clients may benefit from developing new experiences of grounding, regulation, safety, and connection.
By bringing attention to physical sensations and nervous system responses in the present moment, clients may begin exploring patterns related to stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, and emotional overwhelm with greater curiosity and understanding.
Over time, clients may notice:
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Increased emotional awareness
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Improved grounding skills
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Nervous system regulation
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Flexibility in responding to stress
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A stronger sense of connection to themselves
Sessions may include:
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Gentle exploration of bodily sensations and internal awareness
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Opportunities to reflect on connections between physical sensations and emotional experiences
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Introduction of grounding or regulation practices that you can adapt to your comfort level
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Ongoing check-ins to ensure that the pace and focus feel appropriate for you
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Space for both verbal reflection and non-verbal awareness
Somatic therapy may support individuals experiencing anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, chronic stress, emotional overwhelm, burnout, panic responses, or difficulty feeling grounded and connected.
This approach may also be integrated with other trauma-informed or attachment-focused therapy approaches depending on each client’s needs and therapeutic goals.
There is no expectation to engage in any exercise that feels uncomfortable. Participation is always optional, and I aim to work with you to adjust the process as needed.
The goal is not to “fix” or change experiences quickly, but to support a gradual process of awareness and understanding.
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
A Body-Oriented Approach for Trauma
My work is informed by Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, a body-oriented and trauma-informed approach that integrates mindfulness and present-moment experience, emotional processing, nervous system awareness and regulation.
This approach recognizes that stress and trauma can affect not only thoughts and emotions, but also physical sensations, posture, movement, and the nervous system’s responses to safety and connection.
Rather than focusing only on verbal processing, this work also pays attention to present-moment experiences within the body and nervous system.
The body can provide important information about stress responses, emotional activation, and patterns of protection or overwhelm that may not always be fully accessible through words alone.
The Three Phases of Trauma Treatment
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy often follows a phased and collaborative approach to treatment: stabilization, processing, and integration.
Stabilization
The first phase focuses on developing safety, grounding, and nervous system regulation.
Clients may build awareness, coping strategies, and internal resources that support greater stability and connection in the present moment.
Processing
As therapy progresses, clients may begin exploring emotions, memories, or patterns connected to stress and trauma.
This work is approached gradually and collaboratively, with attention to pacing and emotional capacity.
Integration
Integration involves reflecting on new insights, experiences, and patterns that emerge throughout therapy.
Over time, clients may develop increased self-awareness, emotional regulation, stronger boundaries, and improved relationships with themselves and others.
My Approach to Somatic Therapy
I became interested in somatic therapy through both professional training and observing how stress and anxiety are often experienced physically as well as emotionally.
Throughout my work with clients, many individuals have shared that while talk therapy helped them understand their experiences intellectually, they continued to notice stress and overwhelm within their body and nervous system.
Somatic therapy offered an additional way of exploring the mind-body connection while supporting greater awareness, regulation, and emotional processing.
A Supportive and Collaborative Space
I believe therapy should feel collaborative, respectful, and paced according to your comfort level.
I work with adults and couples both virtually and in person, creating a supportive space where clients can explore their experiences with curiosity, compassion, and care.
Begin Your Somatic Therapy Journey
Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially when you have been carrying stress, anxiety, or emotional overwhelm for a long time.
Somatic therapy can offer an opportunity to explore the connection between the mind and body while developing greater awareness, grounding, and emotional regulation.
If you are interested in exploring somatic therapy, you are welcome to reach out to learn more about the process or schedule a consultation.
