You’re looking through therapist profiles and keep seeing the word “somatic.” You might have a fairly practical question: what would I actually be asked to do?
Would you spend the session talking? Would there be breathing exercises? Would you have to close your eyes or describe sensations you’re not sure you can feel?
You can ask these questions before booking a full session. You don’t need to know the terminology, or arrive already comfortable with the idea.
Ask what the word means in their work
“Somatic” refers to the body. In somatic-informed psychotherapy, a therapist may bring attention to physical sensations alongside the thoughts, feelings, and experiences you’re discussing. At Anchor & Bloom, the somatic-informed service page describes body awareness, grounding, and pacing as possible parts of conversation-led therapy.
That description still leaves room for differences between therapists. A useful question is:
“Could you give me an example of how you might bring body awareness into a conversation about anxiety?”
Ask for an ordinary example, rather than a client’s story. You’re trying to picture the work and decide whether you’d like to explore it.
Say what you’re unsure about
Perhaps being asked to focus on your breathing sounds uncomfortable. Perhaps you’d rather keep your eyes open. Or you’re worried that you’ll be expected to notice something and won’t know what to say.
You can mention that during the consultation. For example:
“I’m interested, but I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with an exercise. Could we start by talking?”
Other questions worth asking:
- Will you explain an exercise before inviting me to try it?
- Can I keep my eyes open, decline, or stop partway through?
- What would we do if I felt uncomfortable or overwhelmed?
- Can we continue with conversation if that feels more manageable?
Our service description makes clear that movement is not required and that clients can decline an invitation. The consultation is a chance to ask how that would work for you.
Check the training behind the description
“Somatic-informed” does not, by itself, tell you which training someone has completed. Ask about their qualifications and the approaches they use.
Daniella Simas Medeiros is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), CRPO #19387. Her published scope includes general body-awareness, grounding, and pacing practices within psychotherapy. She does not hold Somatic Experiencing or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy certification and does not offer either as a branded modality.
If you’re looking for a particular approach, name it. That gives the therapist a chance to tell you whether it is part of their work. You can also check professional registration through the CRPO website.
Ask how it would fit an online appointment
If you’re considering video sessions, talk about where you would be sitting and how much privacy you have. You don’t need to set up a special room before asking whether online care could work.
You might ask:
“I’d be joining from home. What space would I need, and what happens if the connection drops?”
Our online and in-person comparison covers practical differences. The clinician can help you consider the format in light of your situation.
Leave with a clear next step
Before the consultation ends, check the session fee, cancellation policy, and openings for ongoing appointments. A free consultation slot does not necessarily tell you when regular sessions would be possible.
You can also ask how you and the therapist would review whether the approach is helping. There is no need to agree to a fixed course of treatment during that first conversation.
At Anchor & Bloom, you can read about Daniella’s work and ask about a free consultation with her. Individual sessions are $160 to $180 for 50 minutes. Check the applicable fee and any insurance coverage before booking.
It’s fine to finish a consultation with another question, or to take time to decide. The point is to understand what you’re being offered and whether you want to take the next step.