Somatic Therapy
Stress, trauma, and difficult life experiences don’t just affect our thoughts—they can also be held in the body. Somatic Therapy is a gentle, body-focused approach that helps you become more aware of physical sensations, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with yourself in a safe and supportive way.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic Therapy is an evidence-informed therapeutic approach that recognizes the close relationship between our physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts.
Rather than focusing only on talking through experiences, Somatic Therapy also encourages awareness of what is happening within the body. By paying attention to physical sensations, breathing, movement, posture, and nervous system responses, clients can develop greater self-awareness and learn new ways to regulate stress and emotions.
Somatic Therapy May Help With
- Anxiety and chronic stress
- Trauma and post-traumatic stress
- Burnout
- Chronic tension
Every person’s experience is unique, and therapy is tailored to your individual goals.
How Somatic Therapy Supports Growth
At Refresh Counselling, we believe emotional wellness involves caring for both the mind and the body. Somatic Therapy offers a compassionate, collaborative approach that helps clients better understand their nervous system, strengthen emotional resilience, and develop practical skills for navigating life’s challenges.
Depending on your goals, sessions may include:
- Guided breathing exercises
- Mindfulness practices
- Exploring physical sensations connected to emotions
- Body awareness techniques
- Learning nervous system regulation strategies
Beside You On Your Journey
We provide a safe, supportive, and confidential environment where you can explore your emotions, heal from past wounds, and overcome internal or external challenges. Our team of registered Calgary Psychologists and Counsellors are here to walk beside you—offering compassionate care, professional insight, and evidence-based strategies to help you move forward.
Common Reasons People Seek Counselling
Our clients come to us with a wide range of concerns, including:
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Body Image
- Boundaries
- Cancer
- Cultural Issues
- Decision-Making
- Depression
- Eating Issues
- Emotional Regulation
- Family of Origin Issues
- Fear
- Guilt
- Shame
- Grief & Loss
- Parenting Issues
- Perfectionism
- Phobias
- Relationships
- Self-Care
- Self-Development
- Self-Esteem
- Sleep Problems
- Spirituality
- Stress Management
- Suicidal Ideation
- Trauma
- Work & Career
Whether you’re dealing with one issue or a mix of interconnected challenges, our therapists help you unpack what’s really going on and create a path forward—rooted in self-awareness, healing, and personal growth.
What to Expect from From Somatic Therapy
Every person’s path is different. Our registered Psychologists and Counsellors use a customized approach to fit your unique situation and goals. While your experience will be your own, many clients find therapy helpful in:
- Processing past traumas and losses
- Exploring core emotions and unmet needs
- Developing healthier thinking patterns
- Improving emotional regulation and communication
- Building coping skills and resilience
- Gaining clarity around identity, values, and direction
Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches We Use
We draw on a range of proven therapeutic models to support your growth, including:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): Reshape negative thoughts and build better behaviours
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Understand and express your emotions in healthier ways
- Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT): Identify strengths and set practical, future-focused goals
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Heal from trauma and reduce distress tied to painful memories
Why Choose Refresh Counselling?
At Refresh Counselling, we provide high-quality, personalized mental health care that respects your unique story. Our team takes the time to truly understand your challenges and tailor a treatment plan that fits your goals.
Mental Health Matters
We’re passionate about helping people heal—with genuine care, empathy, and respect for every journey.
Licensed & Certified
You can trust that our therapists are not only qualified but committed to staying informed and improving their practice.
Holistic & Collaborative
Our care is rooted in a holistic view of well-being, nurturing every part of you with the help of our dedicated team.
Specialized Care
With varied specialties, our team tailors care to each client—drawing from approaches like EMDR, CBT, Play Therapy, and more.
Meet our Somatic Therapy Specialists
Below is a list of our Therapists who offer play therapy.
Lynnette Theroux
MA, Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC)
Reconnect With Your Mind and Body
Stress and life’s challenges can affect both your thoughts and your body. Our trained therapists use Somatic Therapy to help you build awareness, regulate stress, and reconnect with yourself through gentle, body-focused techniques.
Have Questions About Somatic Therapy?
Find quick answers about what to expect, how it works, and how to get started with the right Calgary somatic therapist for you.
No. Somatic Therapy does not involve strenuous exercise or physical treatment. Your therapist may guide you through simple breathing, grounding, or body-awareness techniques that feel comfortable for you.
Somatic Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the connection between emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. While the body is part of the therapeutic process, sessions are focused on emotional well-being rather than physical rehabilitation.
Not necessarily. Somatic Therapy can help you develop coping skills and body awareness without requiring you to revisit every difficult experience in detail. Your therapist will work with you at a pace that feels safe and supportive.
Yes. Somatic Therapy is often integrated with other evidence-based approaches such as CBT, EMDR, ACT, and attachment-based therapies to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs.
Somatic Therapy considers both the mind and the body's response to stress and difficult experiences. While traditional talk therapy often focuses on thoughts, emotions and behaviours through conversation, somatic approaches also bring attention to physical sensations, breathing, movement and nervous system responses. At Refresh Counselling in Calgary, Somatic Therapy may be used on its own or integrated with other counselling approaches depending on each client's needs and goals.
Somatic Therapy may be worth exploring if you notice that stress or emotions often show up physically, if you find it difficult to put certain experiences into words, or if you're interested in a counselling approach that considers both mind and body. A therapist can help you explore whether a somatic approach fits your goals and preferences.