Question 1

What happens in the first session?

Accepted Answer

We begin with a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation. It is a relaxed conversation where we get to know each other, I learn more about what you are carrying, and you get a sense of how I work.

If we decide to move forward, the first session is a 90-minute history intake. My clients prefer conversation over filling out long forms. We move slowly, and you are never expected to share more than feels comfortable. The goal is not to push through anything, but to begin building trust, safety, and a sense of your nervous system and what you are hoping to heal.

Book your complimentary consultation

Question 2

What should I wear to my session?

Accepted Answer

Comfort is important. I recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing that allows you to relax and feel at ease in your body.

Sessions are not clinical or rigid. The goal is to create a safe, grounded environment where your nervous system can begin to settle. Blankets are also available if you’d like to get cozy during the session.

Question 3

Do I keep my clothes on during sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Clients remain fully clothed during Somatic Experiencing sessions and bodywork sessions.

Your comfort, boundaries, and sense of safety are extremely important. Sessions are collaborative, paced carefully, and always based on consent.

Question 4

Is it okay if I’ve never received bodywork or touch in a session before?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many clients are completely new to body-centered trauma work.

Touch is never required. Somatic Experiencing can be highly effective without physical touch, and sessions can be adapted entirely around your comfort level and boundaries. We work slowly and collaboratively, especially with clients who have experienced PTSD, sexual trauma, medical trauma, or high levels of anxiety and hypervigilance.

Question 5

How many Somatic Experiencing® (SE) sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every nervous system is different, and healing from trauma is not a linear process.

Some clients come in for short-term support around a specific issue such as anxiety, overwhelm, or recovering from a concussion. Others choose longer-term work for complex trauma, PTSD, attachment wounds, or developmental trauma.

My goal is never to rush the process. We work at a pace that feels manageable and supportive for your nervous system. Over time, many clients begin noticing shifts in how they respond to stress, regulate emotions, relate to others, sleep, focus, and feel in their own body.

Dawn Angel Averitt

TRAUMA SPECIALIST

Before your first Session

Practical, honest answers.

What happens in the first session?

What should I wear to my session?

Do I keep my clothes on during sessions?

Is it okay if I’ve never received bodywork or touch in a session before?

How many Somatic Experiencing® (SE) sessions will I need?

TEXT DAWN: 510-508-7610