Photo of Ask Alison Leigh, PHD, MFT, Marriage & Family Therapist in Oakland, CA
Ask Alison Leigh, PHD, MFT
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, MFT
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94602  (Online Only)
I utilize a broad range of techniques that I custom to every individual including Body Oriented Therapy, Somatic Psychotherapy, Mindfulness and Holistic Integrative Modalities.
The past 22 years I've seen an eclectic group of clientele: men, women & couples of any gender/orientation who want to improve their sexual lifestyle. I've helped men overcome ED through increasing their self confidence and women who want to feel more sexually in charge. I've seen over 25,000 couples throughout every stage of their relationship whether single, dating, married, or exploring and experimenting couples to ones who are curious how to stay together and keep the chemistry strong. My clients include stay at home moms, stressed out executives, artists, entrepreneurs & communities: LGBTQ, BDSM, & Transgender Families.
I utilize a broad range of techniques that I custom to every individual including Body Oriented Therapy, Somatic Psychotherapy, Mindfulness and Holistic Integrative Modalities.
The past 22 years I've seen an eclectic group of clientele: men, women & couples of any gender/orientation who want to improve their sexual lifestyle. I've helped men overcome ED through increasing their self confidence and women who want to feel more sexually in charge. I've seen over 25,000 couples throughout every stage of their relationship whether single, dating, married, or exploring and experimenting couples to ones who are curious how to stay together and keep the chemistry strong. My clients include stay at home moms, stressed out executives, artists, entrepreneurs & communities: LGBTQ, BDSM, & Transgender Families.
(628) 226-1830 View (628) 226-1830

Online Therapists

Photo of Dr. Katie S Polsky, Psychologist in Oakland, CA
Dr. Katie S Polsky
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Sacramento, CA 95816
I am a licensed clinical psychologist who as a generalist works with a variety of presenting problems and enjoys working with different populations. I have extensive experience working with women, men, adolescents, and children with eating disorders and OCD. It is critical to individually tailor treatment to each client's needs. I utilize relational, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, values based therapies in my practice. I have experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. I have a collaborative approach where therapist and client work as a team to better understand the problem and work towards healing and emotional health.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist who as a generalist works with a variety of presenting problems and enjoys working with different populations. I have extensive experience working with women, men, adolescents, and children with eating disorders and OCD. It is critical to individually tailor treatment to each client's needs. I utilize relational, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, values based therapies in my practice. I have experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. I have a collaborative approach where therapist and client work as a team to better understand the problem and work towards healing and emotional health.
(916) 678-1993 View (916) 678-1993
Somatic Therapists

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.