Sherry Shokouhi, LMHC, SEP

Our bodies hold unprocessed traumas, as well as an innate ability to heal - given space, time, and support. Somatic Experiencing® is a powerful yet gentle approach developed through Dr. Peter Levine’s lifelong study of stress physiology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, psychology, and indigenous healing practices. SE therapy helps release survival energy (fight, flight, freeze...) that may be stuck in the body after overwhelming experiences. Unresolved trauma can show up as emotional reactivity or shutdown, dissociation, and a variety of physical and mental health symptoms. For too long, traditional psychotherapy has ignored the body and focused exclusively on the mind. Including SE in psychotherapy work can transform the pace and process of therapy. It will not only provide relief from symptoms, but also support overall psychological and physical well-being. It can help to reconnect with one’s authentic self, and sense of aliveness, vitality and peace.

Racial trauma affects people of color exposed to racialized social systems, causing specific wounds that are often hidden and left unaddressed.  Based on Dr. Kenneth Hardy's work on Healing Racial Trauma, these wounds include "internalized devaluation, assaulted sense of self, learned voicelessness, rage, and psychological homelessness". Unfortunately, most therapies ignore these issues and their impact on health, healing, and quality of life - treating them as mental health symptoms residing within an individual rather than a manifestation of racial trauma. In keeping with Dr. Hardy's work, my approach to healing involves "affirmation and acknowledgment, creating space for race, racial storytelling, validation, naming the wounds and experiences, externalizing and counteracting devaluation, and rechanneling rage."  I also focus on issues of marginaliziation, forced migration and displacement, political and religious suppression, and lack of belonging.

I have observed that a combination of Somatic Experiencing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for depression and anxiety (including panic attacks, obsessive-compulsiveness, phobias, excessive worry) can be highly effective. Along with unhelpful beliefs and thinking patterns, anxiety can be a symptom of dysregulation of the nervous system and an exaggerated threat response. Similarly, depression can be a symptom of collapsed energy and lack of access to healthy aggression and life force.   Furthermore, a healthy and compassionate relationship with oneself, including one's self talk and narrative, can have a powerful impact on mood, self esteem, self efficacy and sense of safety. I have supported many clients in working through these core issues.

Whether it is our relationship with our family of origin, intimate partner, co-workers, or children, the quality of relationships has a profound impact on our sense of well-being, or distress.   Both attachment styles and communication skills are important areas of focus here. Many people need support in learning to identify their needs and capacities, and then develop comfort in saying yes or no based on their authentic needs and goals. Further, feelings of shame or grandiosity; conflict avoidance and passive aggression or boundary-less controlling / codependent behavior is at the root of many relational difficulties.  Improving skills of reflective listening and boundaried self expression are also important for sustaining healthy connections. Even for those who are not able to engage in couples or family therapy, I have observed that individual work focused on healthy relationships can be surprisingly helpful.

Despite the best of intentions, modern parenting has come to be defined by too much, too soon, too fast - leaving children and parents stressed and anxious. Kim John Payne's work, broadly known as Simplicity Parenting, offers a rich and practical set of ideas and observations that are a beautiful antidote to current parenting challenges. In addition, Somatic Experiencing offers tools for addressing birth or early traumas which may be contributing to behavioral issues in children. This combination of interventions supports a healthy, more harmonious, and less hurried family life, aligned with human values.

As well demonstrated by the work of Dr. Gabor Mate, trauma, disconnection from self, and shame are most often at the core of addiction issues - be it presented in substance misuse or behavioral addictions, including "workaholism" and "love addiction." In addition to conventional relapse prevention techniques and use of support groups - both very important - expanding the capacity to tolerate difficult emotions, and establishing healthy ways of finding relief from pain can be immensely helpful in acheiveing sobriety. Deeper work that helps clients shift from "what is wrong with me to what happened to me" to taking responsibility for healing those wounds, helps in sustaning sobriety long term. Issues of generational trauma and CPTSD are also often necessary to identify and address.