Groundwork Somatic Coaching
What is Somatic Coaching?
“Coaching” is a catch-all term for the integrative embodiment support I offer clients. In this framework, I come as a witness, guide, and companion on the journey.
What is Somatics?
Somatics refers to many lineages of healing work that focus on the experience of the body, and view the mind-body-spirit as a wise, interconnected ecosystem. Somatic work helps people learn the language of their nervous systems, build resilience from the inside out, and live into alignment with deeper values.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a specific approach I center in my work. SE supports the recovery of the innate flexibility of the nervous system. It’s a gentle and intuitive path to growth and healing. When we resolve fixed patterns of threat response in the mind-body, we open new possibilities for choice and presence in our lives.
I’m in my final year of training as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. This program involves extensive study of applied neurobiology as well as supervised practice in Somatic Experiencing methods. Other schools of somatics that inform my work are generative somatics and The Embodiment Institute.
Ways I support folks through somatic work…
Learning the language of the nervous system; listening to the body
Building interoception, distress tolerance, and emotion regulation skills; expanding capacity for difficult body sensations
Restoring embodied boundaries
Nervous system support for organizers, social change workers, and helping/healthcare professionals
Aligning life choices/behaviors with deeper values
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If you're interested in somatic work, but feeling nervous or uncertain about where to start...this is it. Get to know your nervous system, learn how to resource and settle in times of activation, and leave with somatic care practices to sustain your work going forward.
I offer this 3-session intro to help folks get started on their journeys to greater embodiment, resilience, and alignment in their lives. It’s also a helpful space to discern whether ongoing somatic coaching is the right fit and investment for you.
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If you’re already on an “embodiment” journey, or otherwise familiar with somatic/nervous system work, this is the starting point for you. Somatic integration sessions offer a space to work with specific goals for mind-body-spirit connection, nervous system resilience, and renegotiation of past experiences.
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Getting Started
The first step for anyone who is interested in working with together (or if you just have questions!) is to set up an initial conversation to get acquainted and explore your hopes for the work. You can reach out through my contact form, phone (206-317-4688) or email (bethanyberenscounseling@ gmail.com).
Location
I offer somatic coaching virtually and in-person. My office is in downtown Greensboro, NC.
Fees:
3-Session Intro Series: Sliding Scale
Individual Somatic Integration Sessions: $150
Couple/Family Somatic Coaching & Education: $175
Sliding Scale/Pay What You Can Rates: I offer a Sliding Scale for the the Somatic Intro Series and somatic/embodiment practice groups. I’ll be happy to send you my sliding scale framework when you get in touch.
I ask that you to thoughtfully consider your social/cultural position and access to wealth (personal and generational) when requesting an adjusted rate. For more on locating yourself in a sliding scale, see Alexis J. Cunningfolk’s work here.
Coaching Disclaimer and Clarification
Somatic coaching and mental health counseling are not the same, and coaching is not the right fit for everyone. Coaching sessions offer support, education, resources, and practices to facilitate change and growth. Coaching requires collaboration and an active effort outside of sessions. Coaching does not assess, diagnose, or treat mental health disorders and does not operate within a medical model. Although I hold counseling licenses, within the coaching relationship I am not offering clinical mental health counseling, psychotherapy, or any other form of health care.