FAQ's
SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY FAQ'S
Coaching and therapy are two distinct forms of support that can help individuals improve their overall well-being. While there may be some overlap in terms of the skills and techniques used, the primary focus of each approach differs significantly.
Therapy is typically focused on helping individuals address and resolve psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or addiction. Therapists work with clients to identify the root causes of these issues and develop strategies for managing and overcoming them. Therapy often involves exploring past experiences and emotions to gain insight into present-day challenges.
Coaching, on the other hand, is more action-oriented and future-focused. Coaches work with individuals to help them set and achieve specific goals related to their personal or professional life. This can include developing new skills, improving relationships, enhancing performance, or finding greater fulfillment and purpose. Coaching sessions typically involve a combination of guidance, feedback, and accountability to support clients in reaching their desired outcomes.
While both coaching and therapy can be valuable forms of support, it's important to understand the key differences between them. If you're struggling with emotional or psychological issues, therapy may be the more appropriate choice. If you're looking to make positive changes in your life and achieve specific goals, coaching may be a better fit. Ultimately, the decision of which approach to pursue should be based on your individual needs and preferences.
Somatic psychotherapy is a form of therapy that focuses on the mind-body connection and how physical sensations and emotions are interconnected. This therapy approach aims to help individuals heal from emotional pain and trauma by recognizing the physical sensations associated with negative emotions and releasing them through various techniques.
One of the main principles of somatic psychotherapy is that the body and mind are inseparable, and that physical sensations can be used as a tool to access and process emotions that are stored in the body. This approach can be particularly helpful for individuals who struggle to express their emotions verbally or who have experienced trauma that is stored in their body.
During a somatic psychotherapy session, a therapist may use a variety of techniques to help a client access and release stored emotions, including breath work, movement, touch, and verbal processing. We will work collaboratively to identify physical sensations associated with challenging emotions and guide them through the process of releasing these sensations.I incorporate talk therapy modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, into the work, as well, to work from the thought perspective as well.
Research has shown that somatic psychotherapy can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders. By helping individuals to release physical sensations associated with negative emotions, somatic psychotherapy can promote healing and improve overall well-being.
CBT is a highly effective form of therapy that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. With CBT, individuals can gain powerful insights and develop practical strategies to overcome challenges and improve their overall well-being.
Relational trauma refers to the negative experiences and wounds that occur within interpersonal relationships, such as childhood abuse, neglect, or dysfunctional family dynamics. The death of a parent, divorce or separation, witnessing violence in the home, parental substance abuse, having parents who are emotionally or physically unavailable or who have inappropriately high expectations can cause deep ruptures in the relationship contributing to feelings of abandonment and unworthiness. Ultimately these experiences affect one's ability to form healthy and fulfilling connections with others, leading to a range of challenges, such as anxiety, depression, low self-worth, people pleasing behavior, poor boundaries and more.
I can help you identify and explore options, process the consequences of one action over another and provide tools to manage challenging situations, but I won’t give much advice. Most of us get enough advice from our well meaning family, friends and acquaintances. My role is to highlight your strengths, offer tools and support when needed, so that you can have confidence in your ability to manage your life with greater ease.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice, I absolutely do not prescribe medication. If you have questions about whether medication could be helpful for you and want to chat with a medication prescribing professional, you can speak to your primary care physician for a referral to a psychiatrist or call your insurance provider to find a psychiatrist that is in network.
On a case by case basis, I can provide supportive information to help obtain a letter for a service animal. This is only considered after completing a number of sessions and gaining a full understanding of your clinical needs.
This is your space and if you’re not willing to talk about something, that is totally fine. I may inquire about your reason for not wanting to discuss it so that I can have a better understanding.
My clients have all had different comfort levels, experiences and understanding about somatic techniques. We will discuss them and only practice what you are willing to try.
Everything we talk about is confidential except for a few legally mandated exceptions: if you were to inform me that you are in imminent danger of harming yourself or others, as well as, if you were to disclose any information about an elderly personal, dependent adult or a child experiencing abuse or neglect. In these instances, I would have to break confidentiality by getting other professionals involved to support you and whomever else is involved in the situation. Additionally, if you happen to be involved in legal proceedings and there is a court order for mental health records, I may be required to provide some information. If this were to happen, I would discuss this with you and review our options prior to moving forward. All other circumstances require your written consent to release confidential information.
Some people prefer to attend therapy for a short time and return when needed and others appreciate therapy as an ongoing aspect of their self-care. Either way, we will begin our work together by establishing goals that will help guide us towards the finish line.
MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING &CONSULTING
I have limited availability to provide in-person mindfulness and yoga workshops to companies and organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Just like the training and consultation itself, the fees are customized to meet the unique needs of your organization.
Training is used to teach technical skills such as suicide risk assessment, motivational interviewing, somatic techniques, grief support and more. I often deliver trainings in a workshop format where participants can share ideas and experiences, ask questions, practice the skills presented, and engage with one another. The focus is on providing a structured learning experience that meets a specific set of objectives.
Consultation, on the other hand, is more tailored to the individual or team's needs where I provide guidance, advice, and support on a specific issue or challenge. The focus is on helping the individual or team integrate and apply new and existing skills and knowledge to address a specific problem or opportunity.
ADDITIONAL FAQ'S
For therapy and coaching clients, I take payment through SimplePractice, which is also the platform that we use for our virtual sessions. If you are an organization or company who is receiving training or consultation services, I will provide you with an invoice that you will fulfill upon receipt.
Consistency in our work is a key factor to your progress and growth and as such, it is important to keep your appointments. If something unforeseen prevents you from keeping your appointment, please call (213) 631-3387 or email alyssa@thoroughtalktherapy.com. A 24-hour notice is required to avoid being charged for the regular session fee. If you are late for a session, I am not required to extend the appointment to make up for lost time, and if you have not called ahead, I may not wait more than 20 minutes.
I will adhere to the 24-hour cancellation policy as well. If for some reason, I need to cancel less than 24 hours prior to the session you will be awarded a “Cancel Fee Free Pass”. This pass will allow you to waive one cancellation fee. The pass cannot be used retroactively.
You can contact me via email at alyssa@thoroughtalktherapy.com or phone at (213) 631-3387 for scheduling and brief inquiries. I would ask that you wait until our sessions to share anything that is confidential or personal in nature.
I have limited availability to provide in-person mindfulness and yoga workshops to companies and organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Just like the training and consultation itself, the fees are customized to meet the unique needs of your organization.
Training is used to teach technical skills such as suicide risk assessment, motivational interviewing, somatic techniques, grief support and more. I often deliver trainings in a workshop format where participants can share ideas and experiences, ask questions, practice the skills presented, and engage with one another. The focus is on providing a structured learning experience that meets a specific set of objectives.
Consultation, on the other hand, is more tailored to the individual or team's needs where I provide guidance, advice, and support on a specific issue or challenge. The focus is on helping the individual or team integrate and apply new and existing skills and knowledge to address a specific problem or opportunity.