Somatic Therapy in Washington DC and Virginia
Your body has been keeping score. And somatic therapy is how you learn to read it.
Schedule a Free ConsultationAt Full Self Psychotherapy, our licensed therapists provide somatic therapy for adults and teens in Washington DC and Northern Virginia, both in person at our Dupont Circle office and through telehealth. If you have noticed that anxiety lives in your chest, that grief settles into your shoulders, or that trauma keeps surfacing as physical tension long after you thought you had moved past it, you are not imagining things. Somatic therapy is built on exactly that recognition.
Do you struggle with any of the following?
- Anxiety that lives in your body, not just your thoughts. Tightness in your chest, a knot in your stomach, a jaw that never fully unclenches.
- Trauma that is not staying in the past. Old experiences keep showing up as physical tension, hypervigilance, or feeling completely shut down.
- Talk therapy that helped, but only so far. You understand the patterns. You just cannot seem to shift them.
- A sense of being disconnected from your body, numb, or not quite present in your own life.
- Grief, stress, or burnout that has settled somewhere deep and physical and will not move.
You are in the right place.
What Is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy (from the Greek soma, meaning "body") is a body-centered approach to mental health treatment. It works with the physical sensations, movement patterns, and nervous system responses that show up alongside emotional experience. Rather than treating psychological pain as something you can purely think your way through, somatic therapy recognizes that trauma, stress, anxiety, and depression are held in the body. And they have to be addressed there to fully resolve.
Here is what that means in practice. Your nervous system learns. When you have been through trauma, chronic stress, or emotional overwhelm, it develops protective patterns: bracing, shallow breathing, dissociation, hypervigilance. These made sense at the time. But in situations that are not dangerous anymore, your body might not know the difference. It keeps running those same responses, even when you do not need them.
Somatic therapy works to identify those patterns, help your nervous system complete responses that got stuck, and build new capacity for regulation and presence.
At Full Self Psychotherapy, we integrate somatic approaches with psychodynamic therapy, EMDR, and IFS. Healing can happen at every level: mind, body, and the parts of you that have been trying to protect you all along.
What Somatic Therapy Can Help With
Somatic therapy is particularly effective when the body is clearly involved in the symptom picture. Here is what that often looks like.
- Trauma and PTSD. Traumatic memories are often stored as bodily sensations rather than coherent narratives. Somatic therapy helps process those sensory memories without requiring you to fully recount everything out loud, which can reduce retraumatization and make the work feel more manageable.
- Anxiety and panic. Anxiety is fundamentally a nervous system state: a racing heart, a tight chest, shallow breathing, the urge to flee. Rather than just talking about anxiety, somatic therapy works directly with those physiological responses to help regulate them from the inside out.
- Depression and grief. Depression often shows up as heaviness, flatness, and a disconnection from your body's sense of aliveness. Grief moves through the body, too. Somatic therapy creates space to actually experience and discharge those physical dimensions rather than talking around them.
- ADHD. Body-based approaches help with grounding, proprioceptive regulation, and the physical dysregulation that often underlies attentional difficulties. Many of our ADHD clients find somatic work makes a real difference where cognitive approaches alone have not been enough.
- Chronic tension and unexplained physical symptoms. When chronic pain or tension has a psychological component, somatic therapy can address the nervous system patterns that keep physical symptoms active long after the original source has resolved.
- Relational and attachment wounds. Early relational experiences shape the nervous system at a level that is often pre-verbal. Somatic therapy can reach those implicit dimensions of attachment injury that talk therapy alone may not fully access.
And SO much more...
The Somatic Approaches We Use
There is no single somatic therapy technique. Our therapists draw from multiple evidence-informed approaches based on what each client needs.
- Somatic Experiencing (SE). Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE focuses on tracking bodily sensation to help your nervous system complete thwarted defensive responses and discharge accumulated stress. SE is among the most researched somatic approaches for trauma treatment.
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Developed by Pat Ogden, this approach integrates body-centered interventions with attachment theory and cognitive frameworks. It blends body awareness with verbal reflection, and is particularly useful for relational trauma. Learn more about Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.
- Body awareness and sensation tracking. You learn to notice physical sensations in real time: where tension lives, what emotions feel like in your body, how things shift when a difficult memory or thought arises. This builds the interoceptive awareness needed to accurately read your own internal states.
- Breathwork. Breath is a direct gateway to the autonomic nervous system. Therapeutic breathwork activates the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) response, helps discharge held tension, and builds conscious regulation capacity you can use outside of sessions.
- Grounding and pendulation. Grounding techniques bring your attention to present-moment physical reality, interrupting dissociation and hyperarousal. Pendulation moves gently between activation and resource, allowing your nervous system to process difficult material in small, tolerable doses rather than all at once.
- Integration with EMDR. Our therapists are also trained in EMDR, which incorporates bilateral stimulation and somatic awareness. For many clients, somatic therapy and EMDR work together as a powerful integrated approach to trauma processing. Learn more about EMDR.
Somatic Therapy vs. Talk Therapy: What's the Difference?
Both approaches are valuable, and they work well together. Here is what makes somatic therapy different and why it can make a real difference when talk therapy alone has not been enough.
| Talk Therapy | Somatic Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Thoughts, beliefs, narratives, and cognitive insight | Body sensations, nervous system responses, and physical patterns |
| What the therapist attends to | What you say and the meaning behind it | What you say and how your body responds while you say it |
| Session structure | Conversation-driven: questions, reflection, processing | Conversation plus body-awareness prompts, breathwork, and grounding |
| Best suited for | Building insight, developing coping skills, processing life events verbally | Trauma with strong body-based symptoms, nervous system dysregulation, patterns that talk alone has not shifted |
| Can be combined? | Yes, and at Full Self Psychotherapy, we combine them regularly. Somatic work alongside EMDR and IFS is a big part of how we work. | |
Thoughts, beliefs, narratives, and cognitive insight
Body sensations, nervous system responses, and physical patterns
What you say and the meaning behind it
What you say and how your body responds while you say it
Conversation-driven: questions, reflection, processing
Conversation plus body-awareness prompts, breathwork, and grounding
Building insight, developing coping skills, processing life events verbally
Trauma with strong body-based symptoms, nervous system dysregulation, patterns that talk alone has not shifted
What to Expect in Somatic Therapy Sessions
Somatic therapy sessions look different from traditional talk therapy, though conversation is still central.
Assessment and orientation. Your therapist will get to know your history, your goals, and what is showing up right now. They will also walk you through how somatic approaches work and how they will fit into your treatment. Sessions are paced to your nervous system's actual capacity, not a preset formula.
Building safety and resources first. Before moving into processing, somatic therapy prioritizes establishing felt safety: physical states of groundedness and calm that can serve as anchors when the work gets harder. This phase is not skipped, even when clients feel urgency to get to the difficult material faster.
Tracking and processing. With that foundation in place, sessions move between talking and noticing. Your therapist might invite you to observe physical sensations as a feeling or memory arises, rather than pushing through it quickly. That slower, more attentive pace is part of what makes the work effective.
Integration over time. Somatic therapy builds. Between sessions, clients often notice shifts in how their bodies respond, how they show up in relationships, and how present they feel in daily life. Those changes are worked with as part of ongoing treatment.
Sessions are 45 minutes and typically scheduled weekly. Intensive formats are available for clients who want to move more quickly through a focused piece of work.
Does Somatic Therapy Work? What the Research Shows
Somatic approaches are supported by a growing body of research across multiple modalities and presenting concerns.
- Somatic Experiencing has demonstrated effectiveness for PTSD symptoms in multiple controlled studies, with significant symptom reductions compared to control conditions.
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy has shown strong outcomes for complex and developmental trauma, including improvements in dissociation, emotional regulation, and nervous system stability.
- Body-oriented interventions show meaningful effects on anxiety symptom reduction across multiple clinical studies, with outcomes that outperform cognitive approaches alone for certain presentations.
- The broader field of mind-body medicine, which includes somatic approaches, is increasingly integrated into mainstream mental health treatment and recognized by leading research institutions.
At Full Self Psychotherapy, we use approaches that are evidence-informed and tailored to each person, and we keep up with the research as it evolves.
Somatic Therapy in Washington DC and Northern Virginia
Our office is in Dupont Circle, one of the most accessible neighborhoods in Washington DC, just steps from the Red Line Metro. We serve clients throughout the DC metro area, including Northern Virginia and Maryland.
Telehealth is available for clients throughout Virginia, DC, and Maryland who prefer to work remotely. Many clients find that somatic work translates well to virtual sessions: grounding exercises, breathwork, and body awareness practices can all be guided effectively through a secure video platform.
We work with adults and teens. Our practice is LGBTQ+ affirming, trauma-informed, and culturally inclusive.
Office: 1350 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 1030, Washington, DC 20036
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:30am to 6pm
Phone: (202) 875-5861
Starting Somatic Therapy at Full Self Psychotherapy
If you are in Washington DC or Virginia and ready to explore somatic therapy, we invite you to reach out. We offer a free consultation call to answer questions about approach, fit, and next steps before scheduling a first session.
Margot Lamson, LICSW: $265 for a 45-minute session. Extended sessions and intensive formats are also available.
Molly Michael, LMSW: $200 for a 45-minute session. Extended sessions are available.
Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Billing. Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining how much your mental health care will cost. You can ask for this before you schedule or at any time during your care. For more information, visit CMS.gov/NoSurprises.
You've been carrying this in your body long enough.
Somatic therapy offers a path toward not just understanding your experience, but actually feeling different inside it. We're here to help you find your way.
Schedule a Free ConsultationIn-person therapy in Washington, D.C.
Ready to come in? Our Dupont Circle office is easy to reach by Metro, and our therapists are currently welcoming new clients for in-person sessions.
For Teens
Somatic therapy for teens in Washington DC and Northern Virginia, in person at our Dupont Circle office.
Learn more about in-person therapy for teensFor Adults
Somatic therapy for adults in Washington DC and Northern Virginia, in person at our Dupont Circle office.
Learn more about in-person therapy for adultsVirtual Therapy: Healing from the Comfort of Home
Life is busy, and carving out time for therapy can feel like just another stressor. That's why we offer virtual therapy, a flexible, accessible option designed to fit seamlessly into your routine.
Imagine settling into your favorite chair, a warm drink in hand, your pet by your side, and starting your session from the privacy of your own space. Many clients find it easier to open up when they're in a familiar environment, free from the pressures of commuting or worrying about being seen at a therapy office.
Virtual therapy offers all the same benefits of in-person sessions, with added convenience and confidentiality. Your sessions will be held over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, ensuring your privacy and safety every step of the way.
Learn more about virtual therapy
FAQs about Somatic Therapy in Washington, D.C.
What is somatic therapy, and how is it different from regular talk therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-centered approach to mental health treatment that works with physical sensations, movement patterns, and nervous system responses that accompany emotional experience. Talk therapy works primarily through verbal processing and cognitive reflection. Somatic therapy adds a dimension of body awareness: tracking physical sensations, working with breath and movement, and addressing the nervous system responses that underlie emotional symptoms. The two approaches complement each other, and we often integrate both.
What does a somatic therapy session actually look like?
In a somatic therapy session, your therapist will guide you to notice how emotions and experiences show up physically in your body. You might be asked to track sensations like tension, tightness, or shifts in your breathing as you speak. Sessions may include grounding exercises, breathwork, or gentle body awareness techniques, but nothing is required that does not feel right for you. The work is relational and paced to your nervous system's actual capacity. We often integrate somatic approaches with EMDR and IFS to create a personalized, holistic approach.
What issues does somatic therapy help with?
Somatic therapy is effective for trauma and PTSD, anxiety and panic, depression, grief, chronic stress, nervous system dysregulation, dissociation, chronic tension or unexplained physical symptoms, ADHD, and relational or attachment wounds. It is particularly helpful for people who have tried talk therapy and still feel stuck, or who notice that stress and emotions live strongly in the body.
Is somatic therapy effective for trauma?
Yes. Traumatic memories are often stored as bodily sensations rather than coherent narratives. Somatic therapy helps process those sensory memories without requiring you to fully recount everything, which can reduce retraumatization and make the work feel more manageable. At Full Self Psychotherapy, we integrate somatic approaches with EMDR and IFS to address trauma from multiple angles: body, mind, and emotions.
Do you offer somatic therapy in person, via telehealth, or both?
Both. In-person sessions are available at our Dupont Circle office in Washington DC at 1350 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 1030. Telehealth sessions are available for clients throughout Virginia, DC, and Maryland.
How long does somatic therapy take?
It depends on what you are working on and what your goals are. Some people notice real shifts in their body's responses within the first several sessions. Deeper trauma work typically unfolds over a longer period. We will check in regularly to make sure what we are doing is working for you. If you are looking for faster progress, we also offer therapy intensives that can create significant movement in a shorter timeframe.
Do I need to have a trauma history to benefit from somatic therapy?
No. Somatic therapy is beneficial for anxiety, chronic stress, burnout, and emotional regulation challenges even without a defined trauma history. Anyone who wants to develop a more grounded, embodied relationship with their inner life and build real regulation skills can benefit from this work.
Is somatic therapy covered by insurance?
Somatic therapy is provided by licensed mental health clinicians and is typically billed under standard psychotherapy codes. Coverage depends on your specific plan and your therapist's licensing status. Please contact us to discuss your coverage before your first session. We can provide a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs.
What is the difference between somatic therapy and EMDR?
Both are trauma-informed approaches that work with the nervous system, but they differ in method. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation while you hold a traumatic memory, helping your brain reprocess and reduce the emotional charge of that memory. Somatic therapy focuses on present-moment body sensations and movement patterns rather than memory reprocessing directly. At Full Self Psychotherapy, our therapists are trained in both approaches and often integrate them for deeper, more comprehensive healing.
What are your fees?
Margot's rate is $265 for a 45-minute session. Molly's rate is $200 for a 45-minute session. Both clinicians offer extended and intensive session formats. Under the No Surprises Act, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs before you schedule. Contact us to discuss your options.
Full Self Psychotherapy is a trauma-informed therapy practice located in Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C., providing specialized services across D.C., Virginia, and Maryland for adults and teens. The practice offers EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Therapy Intensives to address trauma, anxiety, ADHD, self-esteem issues, and depression, with a team that includes Margot Lamson (LICSW), Molly Michael (LMSW), and Brendan O'Connell (LMSW). The practice is committed to culturally inclusive, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC-affirming care delivered through both in-person and telehealth sessions.
Full Self Psychotherapy does not provide crisis services. If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.