Are you suffering from low energy, sadness that has lasted for an extended period of time, or have you lost the ability to enjoy or feel life? These all might be symptoms of experiencing depression. In the autonomic nervous system, the parasympathetic has two branches: the dorsal vagal and the ventral vagal. While the ventral vagal branch promotes social engagement and connection, the dorsal vagal branch is associated with immobilization and shutdown responses. The dorsal vagal acts as the system’s brake, often referred to as “freeze,” which can occur when stress levels rise, causing the system to react by engaging this brake to prevent overwhelm.
How Depression Might Be Showing Up in Your System
Overwhelm: Feelings of collapse or paralysis. This can be feeling like you cannot get out of bed, no energy or capacity for the tasks of daily living (possible chronic fatigue), dissociation, or a general feeling of numbness where you have limited access to feelings or emotions.
Digestive issues: In times of stress, the body senses danger and allocates resources to other bodily systems, such as blood flow and producing adrenaline, and less energy to digestion. This can result in IBS, SIBO, and food sensitivities or intolerance, such as gluten. Disconnection from yourself or your surroundings: Sometimes the dorsal vagal “brake” gets stuck on, and there is a bigger disconnection where you feel a sense of not being real, not being able to engage with people or your environment, or even feeling like you are floating outside of your body.
What to Anticipate in Our Somatic Therapy Sessions
In our time together, we will concentrate on therapeutic touch (with your consent), deepening self-awareness, enriching your embodied experience, and fostering somatic trust. My aim is to help release the “brake” in your nervous system, promoting balance within your body. I hope to assist you in reconnecting with your inherent vitality, processing emotions, identifying triggers, and staying present in the moment. Your body is naturally capable and constantly seeks greater regulation within your system.
Results:
Somatic therapy can assist in achieving balance within your nervous system, helping you move out of the “freeze” state to develop new neural pathways that enhance your ability to manage stress. It enables you to identify the automatic response of freezing and remain present. As a result, you will feel more embodied and alive, which can boost your confidence, strengthen relationships, and enhance your overall well-being.
Contact me for a 20 minute free consultation.
Located out of Kelowna, BC, I provide in-person appointments to Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and surrounding communities. I also provide on-line appointments to clients across Canada.
