Somatic Therapists in Berkeley, CA

As queer, trans, Asian American, and neurodivergent, my therapeutic stance combines my professional and personal experiences with what I learn from you so we may co-create the best approach. Allow me to walk with you on your path, and I will lend guidance and perspective without ever imposing my will over yours. Let’s work together to find the next steps to whatever you bring, the middle path between the burdens and the joys. This can be more somatic-leaning, philosophically-inclined, skills-based, or any combination thereof.

Finding a deeper connection to self, others, and life events is part of the work we will do together. Coming into an awareness of your own thoughts and developing compassionate understanding of yourself fosters a loving kindness practice that can go with you into any situation. It also will help you create ease in your body and mind that begins to put a pause on past or future thinking. And as we begin to learn how to drop into the present moment with what is we begin to bring the wonderment of life back into our realty.

Immediate openings for online therapy. I specialize in complex trauma, phobias/anxiety, and chronic illness for adults and teens. Many of my clients are recovering from developmental trauma, learning to soothe overactive nervous systems, and hoping to identify and express their needs in a new way. My work is depth oriented, empowering, feminist, compassion focused, and client-centered. I work well with artists and creative types, perfectionists, high achievers, those who identify as highly sensitive, and those who suffer from chronic illness.

Welcome! I’m Shallyn, a queer, non-binary somatic therapist. I work with adults, teens, and relationships. I believe that healing happens "at the speed of trust," in relationship, and beyond the binaries of good/bad, broken/healed. I believe that the healing container we make together will be a space where you can start where you are (as the world’s expert of your own lived and felt experience); where you can notice and honor what your body is already doing to heal and protect itself; and where you can exist beyond stifling binaries and norms in unfolding relationship to your body, yourself, your people, and your world.

I am here to help you listen to the signals of your body, mind, heart and relationship that are calling for a new way of being. Often these signals come in the form of conflict, sexual blocks, loneliness, depression, anxiety, addiction, grief; I believe they are an initiation. Something is out of sync: you know all the "right" things to do, and yet they still don't seem to get to the heart of the problem. You are beginning therapy because part of you knows it would be more uncomfortable to continue "business-as-usual" than to open to change.

The people who choose to work with me often want something more than traditional talk therapy. People come to me who are experiencing challenges in relationships with themselves and others. This includes struggling in the relationship to being in your own body. I combined talk therapy with a number of mindfulness and somatic based modalities to meet you where you are and explore together what healing can look like. I work with individuals and couples or other relationship configurations. I also offer psychedelic integration integration therapy.

I specialize in trauma-informed somatic (body-based) therapy for BIPOC. My somatic, psychodynamic, attachment, and spiritual approach supports clients in building a compassionate relationship with themself. My somatic approach also facilitates familiarization with how the nervous system communicates and the relational needs that are expressed through the body.

In the journey towards healing and self-discovery, finding a therapist who truly understands the intersectionality of your experiences is key. As a therapist and part of the trans, queer, ethnic minority, multicultural, immigrant, trauma survivor, and (dis)ability communities, I'm dedicated to honoring all that makes you - you. The uniqueness of your journey, recognition of your experiences, and collaboration will be at the core of our work.

I am offering in person and telehealth appointments for individuals and couples. My practice focuses on the experiences of people of color, adult children of immigrants, young adults ages 18-25 and people working in social justice, helping and healing professions (including healthcare workers, teachers, social workers and therapists). I support individuals and couples who are seeking relief from symptoms of anxiety, depression, race based stress, trauma, generational trauma, grief, burnout and vicarious trauma.

Are you on a path seeking emotional resilience, self-discovery, authentic connection, and continued growth? I offer a holistic approach to psychotherapy that honors the body, mind, spirit, and natural world. Drawing on my activist roots and more than a decade of clinical experience, I bring a deep sensitivity to issues of complex trauma, grief and loss, social justice, spiritual emergence, and LGBTQ+ mental health.

Do you find it hard to cope with life due to relationship or career-related stress, grief, childhood trauma, unresolved family dynamics, or parenting challenges? Sometimes "feeling stuck" could be due to a recent or prior trauma. Are you a couple or family who is out of sync and have trouble communicating with each other? Are you a First/Second generation or mixed race struggling with family/culture-based expectations? I also work with adoption related issues. My style is warm, engaged & curious, and my role is to increase awareness and help you develop effective coping strategies.

Many challenges we experience in daily life relate to conflict between parts of ourselves. Each part reflects our body’s own loving attempts to care for us in the ways it knows. When we shift one part of the feedback loop, the whole system rearranges - in our bodies, & in our relationships. My approach to individual & couples therapy is holistic, somatic & client-centered. I start with creating a non-judgmental, inclusive space for you to come as you are. As we form & reach for your goals, our work may include movement, developmental psychology, trauma work, regulation practices, behavior/communication coaching, & creative guidance.

Every journey.. your first thought to call a therapist when you need to talk to someone, begins with a single step. When anxiety, depression, stress, personal, family, work relationship problems lead you to reach out, I will listen and help you find the best way through. Experienced licensed psychotherapist, 40+ years in general psychotherapy practice, I provide a safe place to talk, explore, resolve, heal what is challenging or troubling. I bring compassion, perceptiveness combined with patience, curiosity and many years of knowledge and skill to our collaboration to help you find effective solutions and make better life choices.

You feel like something is off but you're not exactly sure why. Your mind races and you feel stressed most of the time. You have a hard time slowing down and feeling connected with yourself as well as other people in your life. These statements describe the experience of many clients that I work with. I specialize in helping people who feel anxious, disconnected, or just "off." If you experience general anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, or disconnection from yourself or others, then I may be able to help you feel less alone and more settled in your life.

I help people as they’re making changes in their life, big and small. A significant factor in making a change is our relationship to ourselves. Unfortunately, a build-up of traumatizing or painful experiences can lead us to constantly question our abilities and self-worth. We may struggle with decision-making, seal away parts of our identity, or find ourselves trapped in cycles of anxiety and self-loathing. Of course, if we don't trust there's a safe home to come back to, trying something new or different feels very out of reach.

I work with individuals who want to overcome persistent behaviors, thoughts and emotions that inhibit their ability to live a life they love so that they have meaningful relationships, deeply fulfilling work and self-confidence. My approach is based on the belief that in order to benefit from therapy the therapeutic relationship must be grounded in direct communication, collaboration and compassion. You need someone to be real who will both challenge and care for you. My patients often reflect they are relieved to finally work with someone who engages in conversation and shares responsibility for the progress of each session.

Finding the right therapist can be daunting, and for some, it can be the most difficult step. I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation so that you can assess if we are the right fit. I work with teens and adults presenting with concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/ loss, chronic health concerns, relationship issues, and life transitions. In our work together we will explore your strengths and root you in them. We will define your values and explore how to live your life in harmony with them. We will also create space for the areas in your life where you want change and navigate the path to get you there.

Whether you're looking for psychotherapy, coaching, focused EMDR or biofeedback, everyone is coming with unique needs, difficulties, and strengths. My focus is working with men and women experiencing traumatic stress, loss and grief, chronic or terminal illness, as well as adults who have had near-death experiences (NDE), and other spiritually transformative, exceptional experiences. My approach is holistic. Together with clients we work to ease distress, build on strengths already present, gain insights, and cultivate relating to yourself and other people in life-enhancing ways.

Welcome! My practice is explorative, supportive, and transformative. My clients are often surprised by the natural evolution of our sessions and the steady progress towards larger goals. I anchor each session in acceptance. It's so important that you feel I am encouraging your growth, even as you feel lost or stuck or confused. Especially then! I ask you to focus on your emotions and your body's experience in the session, to ground you in the present. If you are unsure of your emotions or how to relate to your body, we explore that too. Healing is possible wherever you are in your journey.