In contrast to traditional psychotherapy or “talk therapy,” which focuses on life history and the analysis of thought a Body-Mind therapist incorporates additional focus on the relationship between a person’s mental, physical, and spiritual experiences. This approach is also called Holistic or Integrative. In addition to normal talk therapy where there is emphasis on understanding history and family systems, Genell helps clients access their felt sensations in the body coupled with mindfulness strategies to encourage healing. She is a trained Somatic Experiencing practitioner.
Somatic Experiencing was founded by Dr Peter Levine based on observations of gazelles nervous systems on the African Savannah. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is an evidenced-based therapeutic modality that incorporates the body and felt sensations into therapy. SE is particularly effective in treating individuals with trauma symptoms or high levels of anxiety. With a primary focus on building resiliency. It is an evidenced based practice and focuses on the physiological responses that occur when someone experiences or remembers an incident that can feel overwhelming or traumatic. In the therapeutic session time is placed on helping individuals to process their felt sensations within their body as opposed to only the emotions and thoughts related to this event. This is work with the nervous system and over time creates a greater sense of connection, and ease. Our present lives are colored by our past, often in a negative way, and when the past intrudes, we can’t fully be present in the present.