Body-centered therapy for ages 7 through 23 in PA
I offer body-centered therapy for children, teens, and young adults who are carrying trauma, anxiety, grief, or depression. We can start with what you notice now and sort through what feels most urgent.
How I use it
I pay attention to the body, the story, and the culture around what someone is carrying. In body-centered work, I may invite attention to breath, movement, tension, or a sense of settling, always with choice and without forcing anything. For a child, teen, or young adult, that might look different, because I adjust to the person in front of me and what feels workable in the room. The work stays grounded in what they can notice and tolerate in the moment.
Sometimes the body knows something is wrong before there are words for it.
Who it tends to suit
People usually come in when feelings are showing up in their body, not just their thoughts. Sleep, focus, school, friendships, and home can all start to feel harder to manage. Some are dealing with a past event that still feels close in the body. Others feel tense, on edge, shut down, or worn out and can’t quite explain why. I work with that lived experience first, instead of asking someone to have the right words ready.
- I feel tight or on edge a lot.
- My body reacts before I can think.
- I can't settle when things get hard.
- I carry stuff from before in my chest or stomach.
What the first sessions look like
In the first sessions, I listen for what feels difficult, what has helped before, and what feels possible today. We talk about what is happening in daily life and notice how stress shows up in the body. You do not have to have it all organized before we begin.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation. I reply as soon as I can, usually within 1-2 business days.
What I use it for
- AttachmentCloseness, trust, or separation feels painful or confusing.
- TraumaSomething happened and it still shows up in daily life.
- Emotional RegulationFeelings are getting big, fast, or hard to manage.
- AnxietyWorry, fear, or constant alertness is taking over daily life.
- GriefA loss has changed how life feels and it is hard to carry alone.
- DepressionGetting through the day feels heavy, distant, or draining.
Questions people ask
What does body-centered therapy actually look like in a session?
It can include talking, noticing what happens in the body, and slowing down enough to pay attention to breath, tension, or settling. I don't force exercises or ask someone to do anything they're not ready for.
Do I need to know why my body feels like this before starting?
No. We can begin with what you know now and give the rest time.
Is this only for trauma?
No. I also work with anxiety, grief, depression, and emotional regulation. Sometimes the first thing someone notices is that their body is always braced or exhausted.
Can this be helpful if I have trouble putting feelings into words?
Yes. Body-centered work can be a place to start when feelings come fast or stay hidden. We can use what your body shows us while the words catch up.