Somatic Therapy+ IFS

Coming home to ourselves means returning to the one place we will always belong—our body.

Deep transformation is more than just understanding our struggles—it’s about embodying that understanding, integrating it into our whole being, and (re)connecting with joy and aliveness. While storytelling has its place in therapy, profound change often unfolds when we listen to the wisdom of the body. Beyond words, the subtleties of sensation, emotion, and presence offer meaningful pathways to self-discovery and wholeness.

For years, I have trained in the Hakomi Method, Internal Family Systems (IFS), breathwork, and Yoga, weaving together these somatic approaches to support meaningful inner work. Each of these modalities provides a unique way of engaging with our internal landscape, offering insight, growth, and a return to knowing your innate wholeness.

A Relational Approach to Parts Work

Hakomi and IFS both recognize that we are made up of many internal parts, each with its own role in our psychological system. These parts hold our emotions, our past experiences, our protective instincts, and even our capacity for joy. While these approaches share common ground, they engage with our parts in distinct ways.

IFS emphasizes working with protector parts—those that shield us from pain—and firefighter parts, which react intensely in times of distress. This method cultivates a Self-led process that gradually builds trust with these protectors before accessing exiled parts—the ones carrying deep emotional burdens. While acknowledging and understanding protectors is an important step in parts work, some clients find themselves spending a great deal of time here without direct relational support for their exiles.

Hakomi, by contrast, offers a more relational, body-centered approach. It emphasizes the felt experience, using mindfulness and somatic awareness to gently engage with all parts—including exiles—more directly. Rooted in attachment theory, Hakomi creates opportunities for nourishment, attunement, and reparative experiences. With an emphasis on safety and presence, this method provides a deeply relational space where growth can move beyond intellectual insight and into embodied transformation. When appropriate, consensual therapeutic touch—such as a grounding hand on the shoulder—can further support the integration of these experiences.

Integrating Yoga and Somatic Practices

In addition to Hakomi and IFS, I incorporate elements of Yoga—breathwork, gentle movement, and relaxation techniques—to support a deeper connection with the body. These tools can help regulate the nervous system, enhance self-awareness, and create space for embodied transformation.

By blending these approaches, I offer a compassionate, integrative way to explore your inner world. Whether through mindful inquiry, relational attunement, or somatic exploration, my goal is to help you reconnect with all parts of yourself—gently, courageously, and with deep care.