Q & A

Co-regulation is the way that the nervous system of one individual influences the nervous system of another. This is a neurological and biological process.   In other words, your nervous system meets my nervous system, and a new nervous system is created between us. When you yawn, I yawn, too. If you laugh, I feel happy. When you cry, I am moved. If I am calm, you are soothed. You aren't generating my feelings, nor are you responsible for them. I am responsible for understanding, sharing, and tending to my emotions, but we are affecting one another in important, real, and unconscious ways. 

In the context of group somatic, watching other people move into a parasympathetic state can help us reach that state more easily. This is the neurobiological power we are harnessing during our group practice.

Not entirely. Unlike many traditional support groups, we do not discuss "the story". We don't talk about our traumatic experiences, what stressors we experienced that week, our relationships, what our triggers might have been, etc. Retelling "the story" of our trauma and/or stressors can be re-traumatizing for us and others and can disrupt co-regulation. It also reinforces the neuronal (brain) pathways that we are trying to change.

During share time, we discuss our experiences with the exercises: How they felt in our bodies, the tools we may have used, what emotions might have come up, different variations of the exercises, etc. Our focus is learning from each other and providing nervous system support. 

Yoga is a somatic exercise, and meditation is a form of mindfulness training. Both are used in somatic experiencing, but in a simpler way. Many find meditation very challenging (myself included), and if your nervous system is in a dysregulated state, meditation can be almost impossible. The somatic exercises are very simple, and we start very slowly. My meditation and yoga practices improved during the somatic training. Even after the first week! All these practices are useful in nervous system regulation, but Yoga and meditation are more advanced and can be very challenging for beginners. 

Somatic exercises are movements that tap into your mind-body connection to relieve pent-up tension and promote overall physical and mental well-being. The term "somatic" refers to anything related to or affecting the body. These exercises involve consciously listening to your body and focusing on internal sensations during physical movements. While the concept is not new—ancient practices like yoga, tai chi, and qigong incorporate somatic elements—modern somatic workouts emphasize the mind-body connection.

Scientific evidence supporting specific somatic techniques is still limited, though. This may partially stem from the fact that Western somatic techniques are still fairly new, but there's no denying that evidence-based research would offer more conclusive support for these techniques.

As you become more familiar with your body sensations, you may experience discomfort both physically and emotionally. Events from the past that have not been processed may surface. However, you will be learning tools to enable you to cope with these sensations in adaptive ways, and once they are acknowledged and processed, they frequently lose their intensity.

See the policies and procedures page.

PAYMENTS 

Payment – payment is expected prior to each individual coaching session. You will be invoiced at least 48 hours before each session, and payment needs to be made for the session to take place. If you do not make payment, the session won't be able to take place. If this becomes a repeated problem, future appointments will need to be paid for at the time of booking. 

Refunds – Refunds are available for unused individual sessions if purchased individually and/or the session is canceled within 48 hours. If the session is cancelled within 24 hours, it will not be refunded, but can be rebooked at no extra charge. No show appointments are nonrefundable. Packages are only fully refundable if no sessions have been used. No partial refunds will be offered; however, you may obtain partial credit for the somatic program or group membership if this is of interest to you. It is strongly suggested that you purchase a few individual sessions, in the beginning, to ensure a good fit prior to committing to the package.  

Seasonally discounted offerings are not refundable. However, partial credit to other programs may be offered.   

If I need to cancel a session due to emergency or unforeseen circumstances, I will refund/rebook as appropriate/desired.  

Crisis response – I do not provide crisis resources outside of client sessions. If you find yourself in crisis, and you live in the United States, you can access RAINN's Crisis Line (800) 656-4673 or their online chat feature. You may also reach out to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. The National Suicide Hotline is available at (800) 273-8255. If you do not live in the United States, I can help you locate crisis resources in your country. 

Communication outside of sessions – you may email me outside of sessions; however, I may not always be able to respond to every email. I will do my best to at least acknowledge receipt so that you know it has been seen, and I will do my best to respond. If I am on holiday or otherwise unavailable, I will always let you know.  

Appointment cancellation – I ask that you please cancel a Coaching session within 24 hours' notice if you wish to reschedule or within 48 hours' notice if you want a refund. No shows will be rebooked or refunded (see above). 

Repeated no shows may resulted in my ending our coaching relationship. Repeated disrespectful/judgmental comments in the group (written or verbal) may result in the revoking of group membership in order to maintain a safe space for other group members.  

 Alcohol and drugs – please do not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during our coaching or supervisory sessions. If you are struggling with any substance abuse issues, I welcome you to let me know so we can discuss and work to get you any help that you might need. If you repeatedly arrive at a session under the influence but do not tell me or fail to acknowledge that you are impaired if I ask you whether you are, this may result in my ending our coaching or supervisory relationship. 

Bringing a third person into sessions – please do not bring anyone to a coaching session (spouse, parent, friend) without first discussing it with me. We need to discuss your confidentiality and goals before a third party is brought into a coaching session.

Activation during group sessions - If you are activated/dysregulated by an exercise or another person's share, I will always invite you to step away if you feel the need and attend to your nervous system as required. If you are still activated by the end of the session, please communicate with me in the chat, and we can work together, once the other group members have left.   

Cell phone usage – please turn your cell phone off or leave it in another room during coaching sessions, unless you are using your phone to participate in the session (using FaceTime or Zoom). If you absolutely must take a call during group sessions, please turn off your video.  

Video/Camera - During one-on-one coaching sessions, you must have your camera on. This is so that I can observe your expressions/body language, etc., and so that I can attune to you and respond appropriately.   

Distractions - pets are welcome (as they can assist in nervous system co-regulation and somatic work), but only if they are not a distraction to our process or to others.  

Interruptions may occur, even under the best circumstances. If you know that our session will be interrupted, please let me know at the beginning of the session so we can plan accordingly.   

Grievance Procedure

I am required to let you know that I am a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, credentialed by The International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching. As a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, I am bound to uphold the Association's Code of Ethics.

If at any time you feel I have failed to abide by the Association's Code of Ethics or wronged, you in another way, you are welcome to contact our Professional Standards Committee at [email protected]. You will be sent a grievance form to complete and submit. All reports and grievance actions are held confidential by the Professional Standard's Committee.