Yes! Neuropsychological studies have shown that when we are experiencing an intense emotion, the part of our brain that governs speech is negatively affected. Simply put, when we are asked to talk about a traumatic event, we can't. If the memory is still emotionally charged, we can't recall it as effectively or access insights about our own perspective of the event: we become unable to access words/thoughts/insights, and what insights are there become harder to communicate. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk was one of the first to research this. He performed extensive research on the somatic experience of trauma while he was on staff at Harvard Medical. He showed the neurological changes that occur during trauma, including the developmental effects. Although verbal communication becomes limited when we are asked to talk about our experiences, there are PLENTY of sensations within the body that can be explored. This is the foundation of somatic work. In his book, "The Body Keeps Score," Dr. Bessel van der Kolk describes the body's incredibly accurate account of our life experiences, down to specific details and emotions. You may have noticed yourself that when you're talking about something uncomfortable, your body tightens up. Or when you're really happy, perhaps after receiving a promotion, your body becomes open, light, free, and uplifted. The basis of Embodiment Coaching is the curiosity of this bodily response. There are many mental health approaches that believe in order to heal, we need to recall and describe our past experiences. However, Judith Herman, author of "Trauma and Recovery," (amidst many, many, many others, including myself) believe that we must first establish safety and power. If we don't feel emotionally safe and empowered day-to-day, then we won't be able to support our own emotional response to recalling hurtful events. Therefore, recalling traumatic events could be re-traumatizing, leading to the need to then heal each time the event was recalled. Some somatic work can even be re-traumatizing, if the therapist/coach is prompting you with questions that feel unsafe to explore. Through Embodiment Coaching, we simply do not encounter this problem: each new sensation that arises in your body is met with the question from the Coach, "does this feel safe to explore?" You always get to choose safety.

EXPLORE: During an Embodiment Coaching session, we begin by exploring what you want to achieve as a result of this session. Some examples could be the bolded list at the top of this page (e.g. liberate tension, limiting beliefs, become a magnet, etc). This could be general or specific. Once we establish the anchor point for your session, we find safety. SAFETY: you will be led to develop a place of safety within your body. We do this because, well- it feels amazing, and if any sensations arise later that would feel unsafe to explore, then we go back to this place of safety--showing your body that safety is always right around the corner. DROP-IN: We'll drop into the body and explore your anchor point, then we begin to unwind. UNWIND: As we explore the body's response, sensations may unwind (liberating tension), or they may lead to a safe emotion, which is an opportunity to explore limiting beliefs, unhealthy boundaries, narrative, etc. After a limiting belief/narrative/emotion/etc has been honored and given what it needs, it is fully released, and your body shares this with you by feeling open, free, light, and powerful! You will no longer be governed by its limitations. FREEDOM: now we get to embody this new lightness, power, happiness, etc. I may guide you to share what it feels like in your body. If you were to be this light and powerful in your role as a mom, what would be different? If you were to be this calm and happy as you think about your finances, what would you spend/not spend money on? INTEGRATE: we may spend a few moments soaking up this liberating, freeing experience! Letting it transform you and guide you. Then if there's anything you feel led to do or be as a result of this shift, we will take note and explore. We conclude with some time for sharing any remaining insights, asking questions, and enjoying the results of this amazing technique.

Sometimes! I (Shelby) started out as an Energy Healer before stepping into the role of an Embodiment Coach. Now those techniques are tools in my toolbox to assist the embodiment process. Reiki, Lemurian Light, and Shamanic Healing may support your experience in the background, while our main focus is on the liberating techniques of Embodiment Coaching. Shamanic healing techniques include cord cutting, extraction, compassionate deposession, psycopomp, curse removal, soul and power retrieval, distant house clearing, ancestral healing, sound healing, and channeled energy healing/light code activation.