Florida coastline with sea oats, representing mind-body healing and nervous system support

Amy Hagerstrom, LCSW, SEP, CIMHP

Somatic Psychotherapist

Mind-Body Therapy for Trauma, Anxiety, and Midlife Crisis

Schedule a free 10-minute consultation

Hi, I’m Amy.

I’m a somatic psychotherapist and integrative mental health therapist. My approach to this work grew not only from training, but from my own healing process. After many years of traditional therapy and being told medication would likely be a lifelong part of my life, I found myself in a yoga class during a particularly difficult time and noticed a shift I had never experienced before. It began to feel safer to be present in my body and with my emotions in a way that insight alone had not created.

Later, as I began to include the body more directly in my own therapy, I started to understand how much of my mental health had been connected to a lack of felt safety, especially in relationships. That experience continues to shape how I work today with clients who are looking for something deeper than coping or insight alone.

My work is grounded in meeting people where they are and moving at a pace that respects the nervous system.

My approach is informed by:

• Professional education. I hold a Master’s in Social Work and advanced training in Somatic Experiencing, Safe and Sound Protocol, Rest and Restore Protocol, and Integrative Mental Health. These approaches support emotional and physical well-being by including the body and nervous system in the healing process.

• A developmental and attachment-informed lens. My graduate training was rooted in child development and early relational experience. This continues to shape how I understand nervous system patterns and how we come to experience ourselves, others, and the world around us.

• Years of mind-body training. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years immersed in yoga, massage, and body-based healing. These experiences deeply inform how I approach somatic work and support clients in feeling more connected to their bodies.

• Personal experience. I have done this work myself and understand how vulnerable it can feel to slow down and listen to what your body is saying.

This work is collaborative, grounded, and respectful of your process. The goal is not to push through, but to help you reconnect with yourself in a way that feels steady and sustainable.

If this perspective resonates with you, you’re welcome to schedule a free 10-minute consultation to see if working together feels like the right fit.

The Perspective I Bring as a Therapist

Therapy Qualifications

Education & Licensure

Specialized Training & Certifications

  • Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory — training with Dr. Stephen Porges and Deb Dana

  • Trauma Coupling Dynamics — Kathy Kain

  • Developmental Trauma: Later Developmental Stages — Raja Selvam

Professional Associations

  • Somatic Experiencing International

  • United States Association of Body Psychotherapy

  • Mental Health Counselors Association of Palm Beach

  • Broward Mental Health Counseling Association

  • Open Therapy Institute

Earlier Body-Based Training

  • Diploma in Therapeutic Massage, The New School of Massage, Chicago

  • 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT-200), Cityoga, Indianapolis

What Colleagues Say About My Work

  • "Amy is a highly skilled somatic therapist who brings clarity, compassion, and nervous-system expertise to trauma and anxiety work. I was honored to host her on my podcast and recommend her without hesitation."

    —Diana Rice, LMHC, CIMHP

    Holistic Therapist & Educator, Host of the Holistic Therapist Podcast — Conversation on Somatic Therapy

  • "Amy is a highly professional and skilled mental health professional. She has a wealth of knowledge about somatic based therapy as well. As a colleague, I would recommend her for psychotherapy, clinical consultation, and public speaking."

    —Dr. Marni Feuerman, LCSW, LMFT, director and clinical level supervisor for the South Florida Community for Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy—Guest Speaker on Somatic Experiencing

  • "Amy is a deeply attuned and compassionate therapist. Her expertise in Somatic Therapy is extensive, but what stands out most is her intuitive, grounded approach—it’s never overly intellectual, yet consistently impactful. I’ve invited Amy to speak with therapy interns about her Somatic work, and she presented with remarkable clarity and ease, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in the room. I regularly refer clients to Amy with incredible trust."

    —Dr. Brooke Laufer, Psychologist, Consultant, Educator, Author—Guest Speaker about Somatic Experiencing

  • “Amy is an experienced somatic therapist in South Florida. She is sensitive to the needs of her clients and highly trained in Somatic Experiencing. As a therapist I enjoy consulting with her on holistic mental health recovery that addresses both the mind and body.”

    —Teva Jonstone, LCSW, OCD Therapist

  • "Amy brings a rare combination of skill, experience, and depth to her work as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. She is incredibly knowledgeable about trauma, and when it comes to working with somatic symptoms, she is truly the only person I fully trust to guide clients through that process. From the first time you meet her, you can feel her calm and reassuring presence. I cannot recommend Amy highly enough"

    Christine Marino, LMHC, EMDR & Couples Therapist

  • Amy is an exceptionally skilled and highly experienced Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Her thoughtfulness and genuine care are evident in all she does. If you’re in West Palm Beach or South Florida and going through challenges in midlife, or you’ve tried traditional therapy in the past and felt stuck or unable to create real change despite great self-awareness, I cannot recommend her highly enough!

    Julia Webster, Eating Disorder Therapist and Founder of Village Wellness

  • One of the best somatic therapists in all of Fort Lauderdale. For anyone working through trauma ,Amy is very knowledgeable and provides real relief. I highly recommend her! ❤️🙏🏻❤️

    Daniel Rubin, Therapist and Co-Founder of Transcend Wellness

  • Amy is someone you meet and feel instantly at ease with. She is very knowledgeable about the Somatic Experiencing approach as well as the Safe and Sound protocol to ease anxiety. South Florida is very lucky to have her as a resource.

    Jennifer Goggin, Somatic Experiencing Psychotherapist

Outside of Therapy

Amy Hagerstrom, an online, holistic therapist in Florida who supports nervous system regulation, at the beach with her puppy.

I’m originally from the Midwest and lived in Chicago for a long time. I never imagined myself leaving big city life. But the more I connected with myself and my nervous system, the more I realized the city was draining me. I’m really loving Florida - the warmth of the sun, the ocean, and the slower (but not too slow) pace.

It’s been a good change.

I love walking, grounding at the beach, reading, and listening to podcasts. I love good food, old buildings, genuine conversations, and I even enjoy some good reality TV. And I’m hoping one day soon I will see what all the rage for pickleball is all about.

And then there’s my dog, Fergus. He makes me laugh and helps me to remember to be playful. You may see him in our virtual sessions from time to time.

If something here resonates, you’re welcome to reach out or schedule a free 10-minute consultation to see if working together feels like the right fit.