Question 1

What kinds of people typically seek out this work?

Accepted Answer

Many of my clients are people who are ready for change. They may feel stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected from themselves, or exhausted from carrying trauma in their nervous system for years.

I work with adults recovering from PTSD, developmental trauma, medical trauma, concussion recovery, chronic stress, relationship trauma, and nervous system dysregulation.

Some clients are already in therapy and want additional support that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. Others are simply looking for a different approach that feels more grounded, body-centered, and relational.

The common thread is usually this: they are willing to do their own work and genuinely want healing and change.

Question 2

Can trauma therapy help with anxiety, hypervigilance, or feeling "on edge" all the time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many people living with trauma experience nervous system dysregulation that can feel like being constantly "on alert." This may show up as anxiety, hypervigilance, panic, insomnia, tension, burnout, irritability, digestive issues, difficulty relaxing, or feeling unsafe even when nothing is wrong.

Somatic Experiencing focuses on helping the nervous system gradually move out of chronic survival states such as fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown. Rather than only talking about symptoms cognitively, we work with how trauma is being carried in the body and nervous system.

Question 3

Can SE help with chronic pain, migraines, or concussion recovery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I have extensive experience working with concussion recovery, nervous system injuries, chronic pain, migraines, and trauma held in the body.

After a concussion or traumatic event, many people notice symptoms that linger far beyond the initial injury including anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, sensitivity, sleep issues, headaches, overwhelm, hypervigilance, and difficulty regulating emotions or stress.

Somatic Experiencing works gently with the nervous system and body's survival responses rather than forcing the system to "push through." Sessions are paced carefully and tailored to the individual. Many clients find this approach deeply supportive alongside medical care and other forms of treatment.

Question 4

Do you work with clients who identify as neurodivergent?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I myself am neurodivergent, and my child is autistic, so I bring both professional experience and personal understanding to this work.

Many neurodivergent clients have spent years feeling misunderstood, overstimulated, masked, or chronically dysregulated. Sessions are collaborative, flexible, and adapted to your nervous system rather than forcing you into a rigid therapeutic structure.

Creating safety, pacing, and reducing overwhelm are important parts of the process.

Question 5

Why do artists, writers, musicians, and creative people often choose Somatic Experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Creative people are often highly sensitive, deeply perceptive, emotionally attuned, and carrying complex life experiences beneath the surface. Many artists, writers, musicians, and creatives have experienced trauma, emotional intensity, nervous system overwhelm, or periods of deep internal struggle.

Creativity can become a powerful way of expressing, transforming, and surviving those experiences. Somatic work helps support the nervous system underneath the creative process itself.

Many creative clients find that this work helps them feel more grounded, connected, emotionally fluid, embodied, and able to access creativity without burning themselves out in the process.

Question 6

Can this work support creativity, emotional flow, and creative blocks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As the nervous system becomes more regulated, many clients notice increased emotional flow, greater access to intuition, more creative energy, improved focus, and less fear around expression or visibility.

Creativity is deeply connected to the nervous system. When the body feels safer, energy that was previously tied up in survival can often begin flowing back into creative life.

Question 7

I have been feeling disconnected and numb lately. I can't really feel emotions in my body. Can working with you still help?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. This is actually very common, and it makes complete sense given what the nervous system does when it has been under stress for a long time.

We work slowly and gently. There is no pressure to feel anything in particular or perform emotions. The work is simply about creating enough safety for your nervous system to begin reconnecting at its own pace.

Question 8

My therapist recommended SE® to support our work together. How does that work?

Accepted Answer

Many psychotherapists, psychologists, and healing practitioners refer clients to me to complement the work already happening in talk therapy.

Traditional therapy can create important insight and emotional understanding, while Somatic Experiencing helps address how trauma and stress are being carried physiologically in the nervous system and body. The approaches often work beautifully together.

I also work with many therapists and healing professionals themselves, as well as clients referred through professional colleagues. You can read more about these experiences on the reviews page.

Question 9

Do you work with people online?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I do offer Zoom sessions. Somatic Experiencing and nervous system regulation work can still be very effective remotely.

Many clients appreciate being able to work from the comfort and privacy of their own home, especially when dealing with trauma, anxiety, PTSD, chronic stress, or concussion recovery. Sessions are paced carefully and tailored to your needs whether we are meeting in person or online.

Question 10

What would be the first step, if I am considering doing this work?

Accepted Answer

We begin with a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation. It's a relaxed conversation, not a formal intake. We get to know each other a little, I learn more about what you are carrying, and you'll get a sense of how I work and whether this feels like a good fit.

If you decide to move forward, the first session we'll do is a 90-minute history intake. Rather than relying on long forms, I prefer to have that conversation in person or over Zoom. We move slowly, and you are never expected to share more than feels comfortable.

Book a complimentary consultation >

Dawn Angel Averitt

TRAUMA SPECIALIST

Is This Work Right for You?