Somatic Therapy in Newport Beach

You can understand your story and still feel stuck in it. Maybe your shoulders stay tight, your stomach knots before hard conversations, or you feel on edge even when nothing is wrong. That is often your nervous system still holding on to old stress.

Somatic therapy works with the body as well as the mind. Instead of only talking about what happened, we notice what your body is doing right now — breath, tension, posture, sensation — and gently help it learn that it is safe. Over time, your system can let go of patterns it no longer needs.

I'm Dr. Crystal, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #105555) with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and over a decade of clinical experience. Somatic work is at the center of my practice, woven together with EMDR, Internal Family Systems and holistic approaches. If you want to understand the idea first, start with my article, Understanding Somatic Healing.

What happens in a somatic therapy session?

Sessions are 50–55 minutes and move at your pace. Nothing is forced, and you stay in charge of what we explore. A session might include:

• Talking and noticing. Yes, we talk. As you share, I'll invite you to notice what shows up in your body — a tight jaw, a heavy chest, a shift in your breathing.
• Grounding and breath. Simple practices, such as slower exhales or feeling your feet on the floor, that help your nervous system settle.
• Tracking sensation. Staying with a sensation for a moment, with support, so your body can complete a stress response instead of bracing against it.
• Gentle movement. Small movements like stretching or shifting posture to release built-up tension.
• Building resources. Finding the places, memories or sensations that help you feel steady, so you can return to them between sessions.

The goal is not to relive difficult experiences. It is to help your body feel safe enough to let go of what it has been holding.

Who somatic therapy can help

I work mostly with women, including executives, entrepreneurs and women in leadership, who feel depleted or stuck after trying conventional approaches. Somatic therapy may help if you are living with:

• Trauma or PTSD, including experiences you remember clearly and ones that feel vague
• Anxiety, panic, or feeling on edge much of the time
• Chronic stress, burnout and emotional exhaustion
• Tension, sleep trouble or stomach upset linked to stress
• Grief, loss and major life transitions
• Feeling disconnected from yourself or your body
• Understanding your patterns in talk therapy without feeling them change

Somatic therapy, EMDR and IFS: how they work together

Somatic therapy and EMDR are not the same, but they work well side by side. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, to help the brain reprocess painful memories. Somatic work keeps us connected to the body while that happens, so processing stays tolerable. Internal Family Systems helps us get to know the parts of you that protect you, and the body is often where those parts speak first. Internal Family Systems

I don't use one method for every client. Each session draws on what your system is ready for, which may include EMDR, IFS, mindfulness-based practices or, for some clients, Biofield Tuning. EMDR, Biofield Tuning

What clients often notice over time

Everyone's path is different, and change is usually gradual. Clients often describe:

• Less tension in their shoulders, jaw or stomach
• Better sleep
• More steady emotions and fewer intense reactions
• Feeling calmer in situations that used to feel overwhelming
• A sense of being more present in their body and their life

Is somatic therapy right for you?

It may be a good fit if you feel things strongly in your body, if talk therapy has helped you understand yourself but not feel different, or if you are curious about a more embodied way to heal.

Some honest considerations:

• Paying attention to your body can feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable at first. We go slowly, and you can pause anytime.
• Strong emotions or sensations can come up. Part of my role is helping you stay within what feels manageable.
• Somatic therapy is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care. If physical symptoms have a medical cause, please keep working with your doctor.

A free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to find out whether this approach fits what you need.

Fees and insurance

Standard sessions are $200 for 50–55 minutes. I'm in-network with UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Optum. If your plan isn't listed or you prefer to pay privately, I can provide a superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement. See the FAQ for more.

In person in Newport Beach or online across California

I see clients in person at my Newport Beach office and by secure telehealth anywhere in California. Many somatic practices adapt well to video; we'll choose what fits you. Clients come from across Orange County, including Costa Mesa, Irvine and Laguna Beach. Sessions are available in English and Spanish. telehealth, Costa Mesa

Ready to begin?

Your body has been working hard to protect you. Somatic therapy offers a gentle way to help it rest. Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk about what you're experiencing and whether this is the right next step.

Ready to begin your healing journey?

Take the first step towards wellness today.