Somatic Therapists in Ottawa, ON
See all counsellors in Ottawa
Brandi Cowl
Counsellor, MA, RPC-C, Coach, ERYT500
Among other tools, we use breathwork,
somatic
awareness and mindfulness to help you strengthen your intuition and feel more in control of your life.
The world is feeling increasingly stressful. Covid, climate change, politics, hybrid work, difficult relationships - sometimes it can all feel overwhelming. I offer a unique approach that uses counselling, yogic and coaching techniques to address issues like anxiety, depression, ADHD and low self-esteem.
Waitlist for new clients

Ottawa Centre for Resilience
Psychologist, CPsych
Verified
Verified
We are currently accepting clients immediately with NO WAIT for occupational therapy. We are a mental health centre for childhood trauma & dissociation, attachment, adoption, and high-conflict families for Ottawa and surrounding areas. Our clinicians have additional training in a variety of evidence-based trauma-informed approaches for treating children, youth, adults, and families, including psycho-biologically and
somatic
based approaches, such as EMDR,
Somatic
Experiencing, SMART, Brainspotting, and Safe and Sound Protocol.

Vishaal Chaman
Registered Psychotherapist, RP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I work from an integrative approach which is rooted in a mindfulness, compassion focused, solution focused therapy that incorporates experiential,
somatic
, and emotion focused therapy.
Our work together involves deepening the connection with yourself, so you become aware of what you need, and how to give it to yourself. Through being present and mindful to our current experiences, we can start to become more sensitive and aware of our psychological, emotional, and bodily experiences. To engage with compassion, curiosity, and without judgement can bring greater clarity into what is troubling us, and bring us closer to living in greater alignment with our most authentic self.

Anne Howard
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MA
Verified
Verified
I incorporate CBT,
somatic
approach, mindfulness, emotion focused, and CPT, into my practice.
Making the choice to find support can be a challenging decision that takes courage. We all face challenges in our lives and a qualified practitioner’s guidance can help you better understand your current situation and empower you towards reaching your goals and healing. I have a particular interest in working with individuals who are facing issues of trauma, PTSD, C-PTSD; however, I work with a variety of concerns, such as depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, chronic pain, stress and burnout, TBI, life transitions and support. I believe in trying to find and treat the root problem to facilitate change and improve wellbeing.
Waitlist for new clients

Hannah McGechie
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
Hello, I’m Hannah! I am a queer, feminist, cisgender woman, and have been practicing social work with children, youth, adults, and families since 2007. I’ve spent the last eleven years working with 2SLGBTQ+ communities all over Ontario, but my home base is the unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin territory of Odawa (Ottawa). My approach to therapy is grounded in social justice and anti-oppression, and guided by narrative, feminist, and
somatic
experiencing frameworks.
Ottawa, ON K2P
& Online
Waitlist for new clients

Alanna Beitner
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I use a variety of interventions like narrative therapy,
somatic
experiencing, DBT, mindfulness, play therapy and expressive arts.
Welcome, I'm glad you're here. I believe we all have the capacity to create change in our lives and this is your first step. Whether you are an individual or a couple and have one goal or many, we will work with them at your own pace. As we are all unique, I work from a person-centred and trauma-informed approach. How we think about ourselves and others can sometimes hold us back from living a fulfilled life aligned with our values. Let's work together so you can begin to feel empowered and move towards wellness. I will meet you where you are today, collaborate with you and walk along side you as you begin your healing journey.
Not accepting new clients

Patricia Reilly-King
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, MEd, SEP, RP
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
As a
Somatic
Experiencing Practitioner, I can also offer body-oriented therapy to release symptoms of unprocessed trauma.
My primary goal as a therapist is to develop a safe, collaborative working relationship with my clients. Whether you come to therapy to address relationship issues, anxiety, grief or trauma, I'll work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your unique goals. I do this work because I believe that by exploring our issues we can develop tools to cope with life and embrace who we truly are. I'm committed to honouring the diversity of our human experience. As a trauma-informed therapist, I work with clients from all walks of life including Queer and BIPOC folks and I approach this work with cultural humility.

Anna Nyiri
Registered Psychotherapist, MA(Ed), RP, CCC
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I work with individuals and couples experiencing trauma, grief/loss, anxiety, and relationship disruptions. I have a special interest in
Somatic
Experiencing and Parts Work, with couples I follow the PACT approach (Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy) although we may draw on other approaches as they suit your needs.

Nathaniel Jewitt
Registered Psychotherapist, MA , RP
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My approach integrates traditional "top-down" talk therapy, such as narrative and cognitive therapy, with an emphasis on newer "bottom-up" modalities, such as mindfulness and
Somatic
Experiencing.
For over 10 years I've been counselling people with a range of stressors and mental illnesses to manage and improve their quality of life, largely within a university setting. My interest and focus for private practice is in working with people suffering from the impacts of trauma, anxiety and emotional dysregulation in general, and with challenges related to chronic illness. It has been my privilege to work with clients from very diverse backgrounds in my career, and I welcome adults of all ages, genders, cultures, ethnicities and faith traditions.

Christopher Lee Chang-Duffet
Registered Psychotherapist, MBA , (RP,q)
Verified
Verified
I work as a part of an extended team of integrative health practitioners employing methods of expressive arts therapy, Compassionate Inquiry and
somatic
practice.
One day I looked in the mirror and didn't recognize myself. I've spent the better part of a decade learning to let go of what doesn't fit in my life, what isn't authentic and rebuilt myself from the ground up, physically, mentally, and emotionally so that that life can be lived with purpose, and a joy to share with others. If you are curious to learn more we can discuss how this process might work for you.
Waitlist for new clients

Anna Earle Green
Marriage & Family Therapist, RP, RMFT, MA, CCC, C HYP
Verified
Verified
Individuals and couples looking for a holistic body-centred approach with an empathic responsive therapist will find my approach light, safe, and trustworthy. I have experience in both body-centred and mindfulness therapies including Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn's stress reduction mindfulness practice, spirituality focused counselling,
somatic
experiencing, yoga, cranio-sacral therapy, and energy healing. My clinical practice draws from many theories and modalities to meet various goals and needs.

Brown Counselling - Sarahlynn Deschamps
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I offer art therapy,
somatic
experiencing, focused-centred art therapy, cognitive processing therapy, and much more.
Brown Counselling and Therapy Services is a team of qualified therapists who are passionate about working alongside you to provide the tools to help you navigate through life's up and downs. I’m proud of you for investing in yourself and for being ready to explore your options in therapy. Welcome to a safe place for your story to land. Being a part of your journey is a privilege, and our therapeutic alliance will be mutually grounded in honesty, trust, and communication. Being present with you at any moment, I will encourage you to recognize your diverse strengths.

Carol Susan Dignam
Registered Psychotherapist, MEd, MA
Verified
Verified
Research towards my book "Multidimensional Healing" soon to be published by Austin Macauley revealed that unresolved childhood trauma underlies many common mental, emotional & physical health issues such as PTSD, HDD, anxiety, depression, chronic hypertension & auto-immune diseases. Therefore, I have trained in the trauma resolution methods EMDR, Internal Family Systems &
Somatic
Experiencing designed to reactivate embodied psychic trauma & facilitate its release. These methods are life-changing when they release the trauma blocking the flow of vitality, love and well-being.

Robin Harnden
MA, RP
Verified
Verified
I am also trained in
Somatic
Experiencing which is a body-oriented approach to psychotherapy.
I offer a time and place where clients can slow down and connect with themselves as they explore how past patterns are affecting their current life, and move beyond the impact of unsatisfying and painful experiences. The results can be increased self-understanding, improved relationships, coping with loss, trauma, and life transitions with resiliency, and feeling empowered to make changes in one's life.
Not accepting new clients

Annika Heywood
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, MSW, RSW
Verified
Verified
My practice is informed by narrative therapy, CBT, solution -focused , DBT, and
somatic
therapy.
My goal is to provide compassionate presence throughout challenges that life may present us with. It is my belief that we are all on a unique journey, and that speaking with someone about our inner experiences can lead to insights and understanding that can help to access our internal wisdom and skills. We don’t have to do it alone.
Not accepting new clients

Rebecca Minish
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am trained in
Somatic
Experiencing which is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma and other stress disorders as well as NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) approach to healing developmental trauma.
I come to the practice of psychotherapy with over a decade of combined experience as a Social Worker and therapist in community organizations, including extensive experience with a variety of mental health, trauma, and addictions issues. I am particularly passionate about and experienced in working with survivors of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, and other relational traumas. My approach to therapy is informed and guided by attachment and feminist theories, and anti-oppressive frameworks.

Rosalind J Gilchrist
Registered Social Worker, MSW, BSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Such as EFT, Systems, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused, &
Somatic
Experiencing.
I treat a variety of emotional issues and parenting challenges. These include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, gaming/internet addiction, trauma, bullying, relationship conflict, and disordered eating. I work with ages 9 to 99. Our goal at Mental Health & Addictions Services Ottawa is to support and strengthen your investment in your self and your relationships to best manage the challenges of daily life. Monday and Tuesday Evening appointments. Monday to Thursday day time appointments.

Ashley MacLellan
Counsellor, MEd, RP, SEP-T
1 Endorsed
1 Endorsed
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it" (H. Keller) is a statement which motivates me to be versatile and adaptive so I may best meet my client's needs in an integrated practice, to facilitate empowerment and holistic well-being. I utilize strength-based,
somatic
, creative and expressive modes of therapy tailored to suit the unique needs of individuals from various walks of life.

The Centre for Couples and Relationships
Registered Social Worker, RP, CCC, MSW, RSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Our skilled registered mental health practitioners utilize a variety of integrative approaches, including Emotion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy &
Somatic
Experiencing.
At The Centre for Couples and Relationships, we believe that intimate relationships are central to human connection, attachment, and well-being. As we go through life stressors and challenges, so do our relationships. If your relationship is in need of improved communication, deeper connection, or repair, we can help. We work with couples and partners struggling with issues such as communication, disconnection, intimacy, infidelity, and family dynamics. We provide a safe and supportive environment for you to explore your relationship dynamics and to repair previous patterns of conflict or hurt.

Jaswir Dhillon
Registered Psychotherapist, MEng, MA
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
With diverse and broad training in Psychodynamic, Existential, Gestalt,
Somatic
Therapy, Parts Work, Polyvagal Theory, Mindfulness, Emotion-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, I adapt my therapeutic approach to each client’s unique needs.
Do you feel that nothing you do is good enough and for you to be truly happy, you need to be achieving greater and greater success in all aspects of life so that you are loved, respected and accepted by others? Have you found yourself saying the phrase “I will be happy when….” before embarking on yet another project, only to find that when you achieve your goals, you are still unhappy and unfulfilled? If you are ready for this to change, I will be honoured to work with you to bring awareness to and move past self-limiting beliefs and help you develop insight and self-acceptance so you can experience a happy and fulfilling life.
See more therapy options for Ottawa
Somatic Counsellors
How does somatic therapy work?
Somatic therapy is a form of treatment that focuses on how the body and mind are interconnected. In this approach, physical symptoms are addressed because they may in fact signal emotional distress. Somatic therapists combine mindfulness, talk therapy, breathwork, yoga, dance, and physical manipulations of the body to help patients become more attuned to what their body is telling them.
Is EMDR a somatic therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a form of somatic therapy, as it incorporates mental and physical principles. EMDR involves remembering a traumatic experience while allowing one’s eyes to track a side-to-side visual stimulus from a therapist. This lateral eye movement is believed to diminish the painful power of the memory so that it can be discussed with a therapist.
Is somatic therapy evidence-based?
Somatic therapy has been researched and studied, and some forms of somatic therapy are found to be effective in treating a wide range of conditions. Because somatic therapy encompasses many techniques, some, such as EMDR and meditation, have been studied more than others.
What is somatic trauma therapy?
Somatic trauma therapy is based on the idea that when people experience trauma, they can become stuck in the “freeze” part of a “fight, flight, or freeze” response. In this state, trauma can manifest itself both mentally and physically—through tension in the muscles, anxiety, and stress. Popular forms of somatic trauma therapy include EMDR, sensorimotor therapy, and somatic experiencing.