Sessions

Therapeutic Somatics for Individuals

Therapeutic somatic sessions offer a non-hierarchical expressive therapy for individuals to reconnect with their inner truth, transform stuck psychological and physical patterns, and access body-based wisdom and intuition. Therapeutic somatic sessions are non-linear, process-oriented, and guided by a collaborative relationship between client and facilitator. The client is sovereign in their experience, directing their own process of discovery with the gentle support and witness of the facilitator.

Sessions are informed by Authentic Movement, Somatic Attachment Therapy, Somatic Abolitionism, Grotowski-inspired physical theatre, and other practices and modalities. Session can include talking, stillness, eyes-closed movement, eyes-open movement, dancing, sounding, singing, writing, drawing, guided meditation, consent-based touch, physical releasing, role and character play, prayer and spiritual practice. Clients and facilitators determine together which structures and forms to employ.

“The body is the home of feeling; the house of memory. To heal, we need access to it.” — Tina Stromsted

Currently Accepting Clients

*First session free!

In Person at Waterstop Infoshop:
20 N 2nd Ave E, Duluth

Or Virtually

  • In 60-minute therapeutic somatic sessions, clients and facilitators ask the body, follow, and respond with curiosity and compassion. Any and all forms of self-expression are welcome. Each step is collaborative and consent-based.

    Sample Session:

    • Opening / Check-In

    • Sensing / Exploring

    • Reflecting

    • Deeper Sensing / Expressing

    • Processing

    • Closing

  • Clients are encouraged to wear clothes that are comfortable to move in. For virtual sessions, clients are encouraged to be in a private space (indoors or outdoors).

  • Suggested price: $30-90 per session (first session free). Payment can be made via cash or Venmo @thomlinswan.

"Awakening is not a capitalist enterprise. It's nothing to be achieved, apprehended, grabbed, stolen in the night. It's something that's constantly and always available to you. Which must be disconcerting to find that actually you have it with you all the time. And by the fact of your breath you have not only the right but the responsibility to do the uncovering that is necessary for you to become intimate with that Truth." —Reverend angel Kyodo williams

Values & Principles

Therapeutic somatic sessions are grounded in somatic abolitionism. All bodies are beautiful; no body is broken or inferior; and all bodies have the innate ability to define and guide their wellbeing. We work to actively unlearn oppressive patterns and thoughts, and relearn our connection with our bodies, original cultures, and earthly belonging.

Therapeutic somatic sessions are grounded in reindigenizing. The mind is not separate from heart, body, and spirit; the individual is not separate from family, community, land, and ecosystem. Original cultures are honored and remembered.

Therapeutic somatic sessions are trauma-informed. We approach memories and sensations with care. We take breaks. We use pleasure, joy, and body-support.

Therapeutic somatic sessions do not include diagnostics, medication, mandated reporting, or institutional involvement. Therapeutic somatic sessions are not a crisis support service. If you are in need of crisis support, please call or text 988, Minnesota’s Mobile Crisis Mental Health Line.

Affirmations

  • Every body is beautiful and equipped with the innate knowledge to make choices in the best interest of that body's health and wellbeing.

  • We show up as culture and context; all our identities are always at play and there is no neutral.

  • Taking risks, learning from experience, becoming comfortable with discomfort, leaning into the unknown, and transforming without expectation all challenge the status quo of white-body supremacy and heteropatriarchy.

  • Growth occurs in relationship; healing can’t be done alone.

From Amber McZeal:

  • I see the relationship between the small and the large, the individual and the collective.

  • I am responsive and adaptive to this new insight. I do not practice denial.

  • I value interdependence and promote agency in self and others.

  • This transformation that we seek is not linear but circular; there's no destination, only practice.

  • I long to tend the roots of this issue—whatever issue is happening—and understand that deep work happens in small places with collective impact.

  • I believe my political healthcare should reflect life-affirming values and actions.