Counseling in Brooklyn and Virtual
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    Somatic Psychotherapy

    Somatic means body-based. Somatic psychotherapy takes a holistic approach by recognizing the importance of the body in everything health and healing, and the deep interconnection between our mind and our body. This therapeutic approach acknowledges that every experience we’ve ever had is recorded and held in the body. And honors that the body – through its nervous system, muscular system, respiratory system, endocrine system  “remembers” every thought and feeling, fear and trauma, joy and celebration; everything we’ve ever experienced. That, as Bessel Van der Kolk says “The body keeps the score.” 

    Central to somatic psychotherapy is the belief in the body’s innate intelligence. And that when we can “get out of our mind and come to our senses” there is a wealth of healing that can happen. Somatic therapy helps you focus on your physical experiences, sensations, and bodily responses to better understand and heal emotional wounds. It’s powerful work that works.

    Unlike traditional talk therapy, somatic therapy may incorporate non-verbal techniques like breathing exercises, movement, or guided imagery to facilitate healing and self-awareness. Sometimes it’s just a matter of slowing down, tuning in, and allowing what is inside to show up, be heard and heeded, expressed, released, and with new awareness, integrated.

    What Does a Somatic Therapy Session Look Like?

    In a somatic therapy session, healing happens in the here and now. Just like with talk therapy, every session is different. Your therapist may guide you through a body-focused exercise, mindful movements, or breathwork techniques to help you connect with your bodily sensations and emotions. Through this exploration, you’ll release emotional tension, gain insight, and foster self-awareness, self-compassion and even self love.

    In somatic therapy transformation happens IN the session, in the here-and-now. It’s experiential by nature, and the experiences you have, guided and supported by your therapist, create real bio-physical, emotional and cognitive change.

    Each session is tailored to your individual journey, promoting healing, personal growth, and holistic wellbeing.

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    Dance-Movement Therapy

    Dance-Movement Therapy is a type of somatic therapy where we resource into the body to explore, express and honor all of our parts and deepest truths. When we tap into the body’s wisdom through movement explorations, materials stored deep within can surface to be witnessed, learned from, and integrated. This process can lead to profound insights, integration, healing and growth.

    Dance-Movement Therapy has helped clients feel more connected, gain clarity and understanding on issues they may be struggling with, explore relationship patterns, feel a greater sense of comfort in their bodies and in their lives, transform trauma and fear, and reconnect with their natural spontaneity, to name a few of it’s benefits.

    Sessions are always a co-created journey, set within the context of safety, respect and open communication.

    Authentic Movement

    Authentic Movement is a form of Dance-Movement Therapy that we may use in sessions. In this practice of intuitive movement, movers move with eyes closed in the presence of a witness (the therapist), following their inner impulse to move and be moved. This process of moving, deeply attuned to oneself without planning or performing, allows the materials stored deep within the body – emotions, stories, images, memories, dreams – to surface, be expressed and explored, and ultimately embraced. As the body finds form for the expression of what is at first formless, integration is promoted and personal consciousness evolves. 

    Authentic Movement helps:

    – to gain clarity and understanding of various life issues one may be grappling with, 

    – to feel more present in one’s life,

    – to feel more alive in one’s body, 

    – to feel more free in one’s expression.

    No previous experience in dance or Authentic Movement is needed.

    Ricki Grater, LCSW, BC-DMT and Kris Rodriguez, LCAT specialize in Dance-Movement Therapy.

    Learn more

    Career Consulting for Somatic and Dance-Movement Therapists

    Becoming a Dance/Movement Therapist is a unique journey. It’s often a path we are compelled to take even if we don’t know exactly where we’re going or how to get there. We feel the call. A soul calling. Like dance itself, an impulse we can’t deny or keep stuffed inside.

    From that first consideration to the first step, from navigating grad school and agency work to maybe taking a leap onward to something more, it’s all a little daunting and definitely not the norm. You may feel like you have to leave all that was familiar behind and step into the unknown in order to find yourself. Support and guidance is hard to come by.

    At a certain point you may realize that the untraveled road only forms with each step you take. You may find yourself an accidental pioneer in uncharted territory.

    Career consulting for Dance/Movement Therapists is a unique service offered by Ricki Grater LCSW, BC-DMT to help support you as you forge your path.

    Contact Ricki

    What our Somatic Therapy clients have to say:

    “Dance Therapy became for me a safe haven for free-spirited expression, which allowed me to mentally and emotionally take a very deep cleansing breath. I was able to explore and celebrate the beauty of my own soul.”

    – Pam, artist

    “Dance Therapy helped me begin to unlock the shackles which had imprisoned my spirit.”

    -Tanya, small business owner

    “Authentic movement allows my body to become engaged in the dialogue and gives my mind permission to stop chattering so I can become more attentive to the underlying messages and stories laying dormant beneath the surface. In Authentic Movement, I have learned how to feel deeply into the needs of my body without question or judgment and to trust that I will experience all that is necessary in that moment.”

    -Jeanne, psychotherapist

    Explore more:

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