Fort Lauderdale Trauma Therapy

Trauma isn’t just about the event itself—it’s about how your body and nervous system respond to the event. It happens when something feels overwhelming—too much, too fast, or too soon—and your nervous system can’t handle it.

Trauma can stay with you physically, affecting how you feel in your body every day. Even long after the event, your body may stay on high alert, bracing for danger, which can lead to feeling stuck, tense, or disconnected.

It’s not about the event but how our nervous system processes it. What might feel manageable to one person can overwhelm another. Peter Levine, the founder of Somatic Experiencing, talks about trauma occurring when there’s no empathic observer—someone supportive who can help you process what happened. Without that connection, the nervous system can remain in a heightened state of fear or overwhelm, even after the danger has passed.

Yes, somatic therapy can help whether your trauma happened recently or years ago. Trauma has a way of staying in the body, sometimes for decades, affecting how you feel and respond to life. Somatic therapy works to release the stuck energy and tension that have built up, allowing your body and mind to heal, no matter how long it’s been. It’s never too late to begin your healing process.

Even if your trauma happened long ago, somatic therapy helps complete the protective response your body couldn’t finish at the time. By reconnecting with your body and addressing the lingering physical effects of trauma, you can finally release what’s been holding you back, helping you feel calmer and more in control.

If your trauma is more recent, somatic therapy can prevent those responses from becoming deeply stored. It helps you feel safe, release the energy that got stuck, and complete the protective responses that couldn’t happen in the moment, giving you the tools to move forward with greater resilience.

No matter when your trauma occurred, somatic therapy offers a compassionate, non-invasive way to reconnect with your body, process what happened, and build the strength to face life’s challenges with more ease and confidence.

No, you don’t have to talk about your trauma in detail with somatic therapy. The focus is more on how your body is holding onto the stress and tension from the trauma rather than revisiting every memory. In fact, sometimes we don’t need to talk about the traumatic experience at all. The goal is to help your body process and release the stuck energy so you can feel more at ease.

You’re always welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and some sessions might involve more talking—depending on what you are needing. What’s important is that you’re in control and feel safe throughout the process. We’ll go at a pace that feels right for you, ensuring that you have a say in how each session unfolds.

In fact, getting into too much detail too quickly can sometimes retraumatize you, so it’s important that we’re mindful of how your body is responding when you talk about these experiences. You may notice me slowing you down and taking breaks to help you resource when you feel compelled to talk about your trauma. This allows us to stay connected to a sense of safety and support, preventing overwhelm and helping you move through the process in a way that feels manageable. By doing this, we give your nervous system a chance to settle and strengthen, building resilience as we go.

I currently offer virtual sessions only, and Somatic Experiencing (SE) can be just as effective online as in person. During our online sessions, I’ll guide you through the same process of tuning into your body’s sensations and responses to stress. When appropriate, I’ll guide you through somatic practices, which can easily be done through the screen. The most important part of SE is helping you connect with what’s happening in your body, and we can do that just as well in an online setting, ensuring you feel safe and supported throughout.

Being in your own space makes a big difference too. You can settle into a favorite chair, keep comforting items nearby, or even have your pet close by—all of which can help you feel more relaxed and at ease. Feeling safe in your own environment enhances the effectiveness of the therapy and allows us to focus on your healing.

Plus, virtual sessions are much more convenient. You don’t have to take time off work, battle traffic, or worry about parking. It’s therapy that fits into your life, with less hassle and more comfort, so you can focus on what truly matters—your healing.

Individual 55 minute sessions are $180

If you feel that somatic therapy could make a real difference but cost is a barrier, I offer a limited number of reduced-fee spots based on availability. Feel free to reach out and we can talk about what’s possible.

If you're interested in incorporating the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) or Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) into your sessions, it’s available for an additional cost, which you can find listed on the SSP page. We can talk about whether SSP might be a good fit for you during our consultation or at any point as we work together.

For clients in Florida, therapy is private pay.

I am in-network with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) for clients located in Illinois.

If you plan to use insurance in Illinois, I recommend contacting your provider directly to verify your mental health benefits.

If you're paying out of pocket, I can provide a monthly superbill you can submit for possible reimbursement.