Many clients arrive at therapy feeling lost, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained. Life may feel as though it’s moving sideways—like a crab—pointing one way but drifting another. Despite their best intentions, they can’t seem to reach the inner peace, clarity, or direction they long for.
Why is that?
Because we are not always consciously in charge of our lives—our nervous systems are. When we’re stuck in a state of chronic tension or collapse, our thoughts, energy levels, and emotional responses follow. This can lead to poor sleep, irritability, sluggishness, or even anxiety and depression. The lens through which we experience the world is shaped by the state of our nervous system.
Often, these responses are unconscious and deeply ingrained. Our nervous system can be shaped by long-past experiences, forming habitual patterns that were once protective but are no longer helpful. This is why we might reach for things like cigarettes, overworking, binge-eating, or alcohol—despite knowing the risks. These behaviors are misguided attempts by the nervous system to restore balance.
The good news is that therapy—especially somatic and body-based approaches like Somatic Experiencing—can help us access and gently reshape our nervous system. By tuning into the body and building awareness, we begin to release old patterns and discover a more grounded, joyful way of being.
Therapy becomes a collaboration—like a dance—between client and therapist. With the right support, clients can develop the tools they need to heal and move forward independently. The best therapeutic work is often the most efficient: insightful, empowering, and ultimately self-led.