Frequently Asked Questions
Somatic Spiritual Counseling is a collective of coaches and therapists. Who is the best person for me to work with?
All of us have a wealth of information, training, and life experience that have shaped our unique professional offerings. Coaching is not intended for people who are currently experiencing severe emotional or mental disorders; however, coaching can be highly therapeutic for those looking to transform past traumas and evolve into a more present and embodied sense of being. What unifies us is our commitment to embodiment and somatic-based practices as the foundation for the work we do, no matter which practitioner you see. We recommend working with the person whose areas of specialty speak to you. If you reach out to us, we’ll send you a few intake questions to match you with the best fit.
As a collective, we focus on unraveling trauma in the present moment, rather than looking for insight in the past. This shift in where we focus the majority of our attention is very helpful in resolving trauma in a gentle and sustainable way.
What makes somatic practitioners different?
Our methods look different than many other helping professionals, who take a top-down approach. Top-down means working primarily and explicitly with thoughts and story in order to influence your psychological health. We take the opposite approach: working directly with the body to create psychological health. What is the body trying to tell us through its impulses, pains, joys, and sensations?
Many coaches and therapists are “solutions-focused,” trying to ameliorate symptoms as quickly as possible (something insurance companies like to see). We are more “exploration-focused,” meaning it is more important to us that you get to know yourself intimately and create health at the root, rather than seeing you as needing to be fixed.
What does a first session look like?
We don’t usually do an intake session (though we will send you some optional preliminary questions before our first session). Instead, we see what is alive for you when you show up. We like to get started right away, and we believe that any topic will be a path into your psychic matrix, where all parts of you are connected. It’s not necessary to work in a linear way or work with your hardest issues head-on—in fact, sometimes taking an indirect approach works better!
How often do people see you? Is there a commitment?
Most clients see us once a week, but some opt for every other week, once a month, or on an as-needed basis. The frequency is up to you, depending on your resources and needs. You are welcome to try a session or two with no commitment. In fact, there is never a commitment because you may stop at any time, but if you’ve been seeing us for a while and would like to stop, we do appreciate having a closure session.
Do you offer virtual appointments?
The majority of our practitioners work exclusively online. Because a lot of our work centers around the nervous system, we have often found that people are more comfortable and better able to relax in the comfort of their own homes. This also gives us the ability to work with folks from around the globe, which we value greatly.
Logistics
What’s your cancellation policy?
If you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment, we charge the full appointment fee.
If I ordered a downloadable product, when will I receive it?
You should have access to the product right away on the website, as well as receive an email with a Download link. If you do not, please reach out to us through our contact form.
If I am not happy with my downloadable product, can I receive a refund?
Yes. Please see our Return Policy for more information.