Connecting Mind and Body
Somatic Therapy
I am Christina Thompson, a licensed clinical professional counselor in Maryland. I have spent about 6 years in practice working with adults and couples through telehealth. My approach involves looking at how the body and mind interact during daily life. I offer sessions Monday to Friday for those located in Maryland who want to explore their internal experiences. We look at how physical sensations relate to your thoughts and feelings. I use a mix of methods like CBT, DBT, ACT, and mindfulness based practices to support our work together. In these virtual sessions, we focus on noticing what is happening in the present moment. I invite you to share your observations as we practice various skills together. If you are interested in this process, I offer a free consultation through Alma to see if we are a good fit.
Noticing Physical Patterns
I help you pay attention to the way your body reacts to the world around you. You might notice your heart rate increasing when a phone notification sounds or your breath becoming shallow during a difficult conversation. These physical cues often happen before you even realize you are feeling a certain way. In our sessions, we practice identifying these small shifts in real time. We look at how a tight neck or a heavy feeling in the chest reflects your current state of mind. By observing these patterns together, you can gain a clearer understanding of your automatic reactions to everyday events.
Practicing Grounding Skills
When your mind feels busy or cluttered, focusing on your physical environment can be helpful. We practice grounding skills that involve your five senses. This might include noticing the way your feet press against the floor or how the fabric of your sleeve feels against your arm. I use somatic and mindfulness based techniques to help you stay focused on the here and now. We might also incorporate gentle movement or specific ways of sitting to see how they affect your sense of presence. These practices are meant to be simple tools you can use whenever you notice your thoughts starting to drift.
Exploring Muscle Tension
Many people hold tension in their bodies without realizing it. You might find that your jaw is clenched while you work at your computer or that your shoulders are hiked up during your commute. During our time together, we explore these areas of tightness. We practice bringing awareness to these spots and experiment with ways to shift your posture. I might ask you to describe the sensation in your muscles as we talk through different topics. This part of our work focuses on the connection between your physical stance and your emotional experience. We look for ways to bring more ease to your physical movements.
Developing Internal Awareness
We work on noticing both comfortable and uncomfortable sensations. I use Gottman and somatic concepts to help you observe how you interact with others. If you feel a surge of energy or a sudden lack of it, we take a moment to look at that feeling without judgment. We search for parts of the body that feel neutral, like your elbows or your shins, to provide a point of focus. This process is about building a habit of checking in with yourself throughout the day. By practicing these skills, you can become more familiar with your own internal landscape and how it shifts over time.
Practical Focus
What We Can Work On
- Noticing muscle tension
- Identifying physical cues
- Practicing grounding skills
- Building body awareness
Keep Exploring
Related Pages
Your Next Step
Ready to put yourself on the list?
Start with a free consultation. Therapy is available by secure video for adults located in Maryland.
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