COMMON QUERIES

You Ask - I Answer

Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Experiencing Therapy

Somatic therapy focuses on helping people understand and regulate their nervous system. Many people arrive with questions about how Somatic Experiencing therapy works, who it is for, and what to expect from sessions.

Somatic Therapy in North Shields and Online.

Below are answers to some of the most common questions I receive as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner offering somatic therapy in North Shields and online across the UK.

FAQ

What is Somatic Experiencing therapy?

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-based approach to trauma and stress developed by Dr Peter Levine. Rather than focusing only on talking about difficult experiences, somatic therapy works with the body’s nervous system responses.

When we experience stress or trauma, our nervous system can get stuck in patterns of fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown. Somatic Experiencing helps gently release these patterns by building awareness of sensations in the body and allowing the nervous system to gradually return to a state of safety and regulation.

This approach can be helpful for people who feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected even after trying traditional talk therapy. You can read more here

Is somatic therapy right for me?

Somatic therapy may be helpful if you:

Feel easily overwhelmed or triggered
Experience anxiety, shutdown, or chronic stress
Have tried talking therapies but still feel stuck
Want to understand your nervous system responses more deeply
Are interested in a body-based approach to healing

Sessions move at a gentle pace and are designed to help your nervous system feel safe while exploring difficult experiences.

Do you only work with parents?

No. While many parents are drawn to my work because of my background in parent coaching and nervous system regulation, I work with all adults aged 18 and over.

Clients come to somatic therapy for many reasons including:

Trauma and stress
Anxiety and overwhelm
Burnout
Relationship difficulties
Feeling stuck or disconnected
Personal growth and nervous system regulation

What happens in a Somatic Experiencing session?

A session usually involves a combination of conversation and gentle awareness of what is happening in your body.

Together we might explore:

physical sensations
breathing patterns
emotional responses
nervous system activation and settling

Somatic Experiencing does not require you to relive traumatic experiences in detail. Instead, we work slowly and carefully so your nervous system can process experiences in a safe and manageable way.

Do you offer an initial consultation?

Yes. I offer a first one-hour consultation session so we can explore whether working together feels like the right fit.

During this session we will:

talk about what brings you to therapy
explore your goals
discuss how somatic therapy works
answer any questions you may have

Finding the right therapeutic relationship is important, so this session helps both of us decide whether continuing feels supportive.

How much do sessions cost?

Sessions are currently priced at:

£75 per session for online appointments

£80 per session for in-person appointments

Sessions typically last 60 minutes.

Payment details and cancellation policies will be shared when you book your consultation.

Where are you based?

I work in a hybrid way, offering both in-person and online sessions.

In-person sessions:
From a clinic in North Shields, North Tyneside (UK).

Online sessions:
Available via video for clients across the UK and internationally.

This flexible approach allows clients to choose what feels most comfortable and accessible for them.

What time zone do you work in?

I work primarily within the UK time zone (GMT / BST depending on the season).

When working with international clients, we simply schedule sessions at times that work across our time zones.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies for everyone. Some people come for support with a specific issue, while others choose longer-term work to explore deeper nervous system patterns.

Somatic therapy is not about rushing the process. Instead, we work at a pace that allows your nervous system to integrate change safely and sustainably.

We can review progress together and decide what feels right for you.

How do I book a session?

If you’re curious about whether Somatic Experiencing therapy might be helpful for you, the best place to start is by booking an initial consultation.

You can do this by visiting the [Work with Me] page on my website.