Somatic Therapy and Counselling

Healing through mind-body connection

Somatic Therapy in Burlington and Online

Support for individuals, couples, and families. Somatic therapy is a holistic approach to healing that recognizes the connection between the mind and body.

This therapeutic method focuses on how emotional issues and trauma manifest physically. Through mindfulness, breathwork, and bodily awareness, somatic therapy encourages individuals to explore and release tension, trauma and stored emotions held in the body.

By fostering a deeper understanding of the body's sensations, movements, and rhythms, somatic therapy empowers individuals to reconnect with their bodies, facilitating a profound journey toward healing and self-discovery.

Do you feel stuck in the same emotional patterns, even when you understand them logically?

Smiling woman in yellow shirt in sunny outdoor setting with trees.

Somatic Therapy helps you move beyond just understanding your pain—it allows you to release stored tension, reconnect with your body, and heal on a deeper level.

Somatic therapy is a form of holistic counselling that engages your body and mind in healing. Traditional therapy involves mostly talk therapy. It literally means talking to a therapist, such as telling the therapist your story. But sometimes, we don’t remember our traumas.

At times, when our brain is trying to protect us and we forget the hurtful pasts or it’s too overwhelming to talk and face it. Through somatic therapy you don’t have to share the stories, if you don’t want to. Your body remembers the hurts and distresses you went through. And that’s where healing begins.

Somatic therapy helps you tune into your body—your breath, sensations, and nervous system—to explore how past experiences and emotions are stored. This slow, gentle, and intentional approach that supports the release of tension, better emotional regulation, and a stronger connection with yourself and others.

What if your body holds the key to healing—are you ready to explore a new way to feel safe, grounded, and at ease?

Types of Somatic Therapy we use?

At The Therapeutic Way, we use different modalities to help you.

  • Mindfulness-Based Approaches

    • includes breath-work, paying attention to your body, thoughts, and emotions, relaxation techniques

  • Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

    • includes mindfulness-based approaches + paying attention to your gestures, movements, sensations, emotions, and cognitions

  • Somatic Experiencing

    • includes mindfulness-based approaches, relaxation techniques + paying attention your memories, strengths, sensations, emotions.

  • EMDR

    • includes mindfulness, grounding exercises, bilateral stimulations (eye movements, taps, sounds) to reprocess and heal distress memories.

What to Expect in Somatic Therapy

Somatic therapy is a slow, intentional, and trauma-informed process — not a quick fix or 1-2 session process. Our modern lives are fast-paced, but healing the nervous system takes time, safety, and care.

Your first few sessions will be focused on building trust, understanding, and your coping skills. It includes:

  • A review of intake and consent forms (sent in advance)

  • A conversation about your goals, history, current concerns, and coping skills

  • A gentle introduction to somatic awareness — how your body holds stress, emotion, or tension

Because we work with the body, your therapist may invite you to notice sensations or shift positions (e.g., standing, turning, grounding exercises) — always in ways that are adapted to your health and mobility.

Somatic therapy is not always dramatic. While some expect big emotional releases, many people experience subtle but powerful shifts: feeling more present, noticing moments of ease, or gradually developing a deeper sense of calm and safety.

Tools and deeper work come only after a strong foundation is built. This approach is about working at your pace, gently and respectfully.

First Few Session — Intake & Safety

  • Discuss your goals, history, and what safety means to you

  • Begin to notice how you experience your body and emotions

Following Sessions — Awareness & Regulation

  • Explore how your body responds to stress

  • Learn grounding and nervous system regulation tools

  • Notice subtle shifts in tension, relaxation, or emotional responses

Ongoing Work — Deeper Healing & Integration

  • Process trauma with stability and support

  • Reconnect with emotions and boundaries

  • Build presence, safety, and self-awareness in daily life

All sessions are paced collaboratively and trauma-informed.

Therapists specializing in Somatic Therapy at The Therapeutic Way

Vidhi Joshi

*Accepting New Clients (EMDR therapist)

Syeda Zaidi

*Accepting New Clients online and in-person

Nishtha Rathod

*Accepting New Clients online and in-person

(Somatic therapist)

Lilian Shonhiwa

*Accepting New Clients (EMDR therapist)

At The Therapeutic Way, Counselling and Psychotherapy Services, we pride ourselves in using a holistic and trauma informed approach to counselling. Our therapists uses modalities such as Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Mindfulness Based Approaches to help your mind and body heal.

We offer somatic therapy for depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, grief, stress and much more.

A lot of people feel awkward when they first start engaging in somatic therapy, and that is normal (because it is different from traditional talk therapy). But our therapists work with you gently and safely.

Reach out today to schedule a consultation call with a licensed therapist to see what we offer.

Heal your mind and BODY!

We offer a 20 mins free consultation so we can discuss how somatic healing can help you. 

FAQs

Please reach us at info@thetherapeuticway.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.

  • Fees

    Individual therapy: 50 mins, 75 mins, 90 mins: $150- $180 +HST

    Couples therapy: 50 mins, 75 mins, 90 mins: $170- $210 +HST

    Family therapy: 50 mins, 75 mins, 90 mins: $170- $210 +HST

    Cancellation fee is charged as follows:

    Less than 24 hours before the appointment: 100% of session rate

    No-show appointment: 100% of session rate

    In case of illness or emergency, one time exemption and thereafter we require 24 hours notice

  • Yes, we do.

    It is recommended that you reach out to your insurance provider before our session to confirm whether your services are covered by a registered psychotherapist and eligible for reimbursement.

    After our session, you will be provided with a receipt that includes all the information required to submit to your insurer for reimbursement. If you have not been reimbursed, remember to keep your receipts to claim for tax deductions as medical expenses on your personal income tax filing.

  • The type of therapy that is best for you, depends on you as a person and the reason you are seeking therapy. There are different types of therapy, such as somatic-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma-informed therapies, holistic therapy, existential therapy, and more. The type of therapy that is right for you will depend what you are looking for. While you may have an input in this, majority of the time the therapist will know what is best suited for you and will let you know.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we work with clients using an integrative approach to therapy, meaning using different modalities to suit your needs. We use a trauma-informed, holistic, and relational approach to working with you. Click here to learn more.

  • The difference between psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist, depends on education and scope of practice.

    Psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist can provide therapy called talk therapy.

    A psychotherapist can provide therapy under the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario, a psychologist can provide therapy under the College of Psychologists of Ontario, and a psychiatrist can provide therapy under College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

    Difference:

    Psychotherapist Education: Master’s Degree or higher

    Psychologist Education: PhD or PsyD.

    Psychiatrist: MD

    ————

    Psychotherapist: Can’t diagnose

    Psychologist: Can do assessment and diagnose

    Psychiatrist: Can do assessment, diagnose, and prescribe medication

    ————

    Psychotherapist Training: Counselling and focus on therapy techniques

    Psychologist: Focus on clinical research and assessment

    Psychiatrist: Use medical treatment such as prescribing medications for mental health conditions

    Before seeking help, it’s important to know what you need and are seeking. A consultation call can help you decide.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we are registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario.

  • The term psychotherapy and counselling are often used interchangeably with some slight differences. Psychotherapy refers to the treatment based for psychological disorders and mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, ect. Counselling refers to wellness support and providing insights and clarity which leads to growth or personal betterment.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we provide both psychotherapy and counselling.

  • Online therapy is as effective as in person therapy. What is most important with any format of therapy is the strong therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist. Online therapy is a good option when coming in-person is not feasible, when you have dependents at home, and it is also more convenient.

    At The Therapeutic Way, we offer online therapy and therapy by phone from the convenience of your home. Click here to learn more about our online therapy.