Somatic Therapy in St. Albert and Online Across Alberta
Have you ever understood something about yourself, yet still felt stuck in the same patterns? Maybe your shoulders tighten before a hard conversation, your chest feels heavy at the end of the day, or you feel on edge even when you know you are safe.
These experiences are not only in your mind. Our bodies carry our stress, our emotions, and our history, too. Somatic therapy is a gentle way of including the body in counselling, so that healing can reach the places where words alone sometimes can’t.
What is somatic therapy?
“Soma” means “the living body.” Somatic therapy is an approach to counselling that pays attention to the connection between your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and nervous system.
Alongside talking about what you are going through, we gently notice how it shows up in your body: your breath, posture, tension, or the subtle shifts that happen as you speak. Over time, this awareness can help you understand your patterns more deeply, regulate your nervous system, and respond to life with more ease and choice.
What a session can look like
Every session is shaped by you and what you bring. A somatic session might include:
- Talking through what is on your mind, as in any counselling session
- Pausing to notice what you feel in your body as you speak
- Mindful, curious exploration of a sensation, feeling, or pattern
- Grounding and breath practices to support regulation
- Gentle movement or trauma-informed yoga, when it feels right for you
We always move at your pace. You never have to do anything that doesn’t feel right, and you are always in charge of what we explore.
Who somatic therapy can help
I work with adults, teens, and couples. Somatic therapy can be a supportive approach if you are experiencing:
- Anxiety, worry, or feeling constantly on edge
- Stress, overwhelm, or burnout
- The lasting effects of trauma or difficult experiences
- Feeling numb, shut down, or disconnected from yourself
- Relationship challenges and patterns that keep repeating
- Life transitions or a sense of being stuck
It can also be a good fit if you have tried talk therapy before and want to go deeper, or if you are simply curious about a more holistic, whole-person approach.
How I work
My approach to somatic therapy is integrative, drawing on:
- Hakomi — a mindfulness-based approach that explores the patterns our bodies hold with curiosity and compassion. Read more about Hakomi.
- Polyvagal Theory — understanding your nervous system’s responses to stress and safety, and building regulation. Read more about Polyvagal Theory.
- Mindfulness and trauma-informed yoga — grounding, breath awareness, and gentle movement to support a felt sense of safety.
- Attachment-focused and person-centred counselling — because the relationship between us is itself part of what heals.
You can also read What Is Embodied Therapy and How Can It Help Me? for a fuller introduction.
In person in St. Albert or online across Alberta
I offer in-person sessions at my office at #204–86 McKenney Ave in St. Albert, a short drive from Edmonton, Sturgeon County, and the surrounding area. The space is quiet, comfortable, and designed to feel like a gentle pause in your day.
Online sessions are available anywhere in Alberta, and somatic work translates well to a virtual setting.
Fees and insurance
Sessions are $200 for 50 minutes. Direct billing may be available through TELUS Health eClaims and Sun Life for participating insurance providers. Coverage varies by plan, so please confirm that your benefits include services provided by a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) or Counselling Therapist (CT).
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between somatic therapy and talk therapy?
We still talk — conversation is an important part of every session. Somatic therapy simply adds gentle attention to what is happening in your body as you speak, such as tension, breath, or a shift in energy. Noticing these signals can offer another doorway into understanding your experience and creating change.
Do I have to move or do anything physical?
No. Somatic work is often very quiet: noticing your breath, your posture, or a sensation, and staying curious about it. If movement, grounding, or breath practices feel supportive, we may explore them together, but you are always in charge of what we do, and nothing happens without your consent.
What if I don’t feel much in my body?
That is very common, and it is a welcome place to start. Many people feel disconnected from their bodies, especially after long periods of stress. We go slowly and build awareness at a pace that feels safe for you.
Can somatic therapy be done online?
Yes. Online sessions work well for somatic therapy. Being in your own space can even make it easier to settle and notice what you are feeling. Online sessions are available anywhere in Alberta.
How much does a session cost, and is it covered by insurance?
Sessions are $200 for 50 minutes, in person or online. Direct billing may be available through TELUS Health eClaims and Sun Life for participating insurance providers. Please confirm that your benefits include services provided by a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) or Counselling Therapist (CT).