What a session with me might look like

Before a first session, many people ask me what a therapy session with me actually entails in practice. Approaches like Somatic Experiencing® or body-oriented trauma work can be difficult to visualize at first. People often worry that they will have to intensely relive or recount distressing experiences in detail.

That is not how I work.

In the sessions, we first create a safe and mindful space to explore what is present and what needs support in the moment. While the process includes elements of talk therapy, it also consistently incorporates awareness of the body and the nervous system.
It is often about slowing down and noticing what is happening internally. You might experience tension, constriction, restlessness, emptiness, warmth, movement, impulses, or even moments of calm and safety. Together, we gently direct our attention to these sensations without forcing anything.

The focus is not solely on the story itself, but on what can be felt in your lived experience in the present moment. Many distressing experiences manifest not only in our thoughts but also in the nervous system and the body. Through small steps, it becomes possible to regain a sense of connection, regulation, and inner safety.

I always tailor my approach to the individual. Some people prefer to talk primarily, while others find an approach based on body awareness helpful. The sessions often involve a blend of conversation, sensing, internal awareness, and brief pauses.

Depending on your wishes or the situation, art therapy may also be incorporated. No special skills are required for this; often, a sheet of paper and a few pens are all that is needed. The goal is not to create "beautiful" pictures or to be "creative." Instead, images, colors, shapes, or movements can help make internal processes visible and tangible. This allows the expression of things that may not yet have words.
These exercises can help support internal processes and open the way for new experiences. The act of creating often opens up a different way of accessing feelings, inner images, or old patterns. The focus is not on the result, but on the process itself. There is no "right" or "wrong."

Sometimes, a session primarily fosters understanding, a sense of relief, and a sense of direction. At other times, connections become tangible or new experiences become possible. Often, it is small changes that gradually give rise to greater stability, vitality, and connection.