Somatic Experiencing is a healing modality for anyone who has experienced trauma or for someone who has a chronic pain or sensation that is otherwise unexplainable. It utilizes cutting edge neuroscience to help re-wire the brain to heal disfunction, and is a bridge between emotional work and body work.

Somatic Experiencing is the science and technique behind a process of rewiring the brain where there is dis-regulation. It is unique to any kind of body work, energy work or emotional/psychological therapy. Each session will present itself differently and if we stay open and curious the body will show us the way to its own healing power. 

The somatic experience is a facilitator of our bodies innate ability and desire to heal.

In an SE session, we will gently connect the mind and body and will utilize this approach to build new neuro-pathways that will facilitate healing.  We will spend lots of time identifying the experiences in our body and I will utilize my training to encourage curious exploration through the process.

Somatic experiencing is perfect for anyone who has experienced trauma or for someone who has a chronic pain or sensation that is otherwise unexplainable.

The term trauma is a very complex and the research on the topic is growing every day. When we talk about persons who have experienced trauma we are talking about a very broad spectrum. There is the emotional element, the physical element, the mental or perceptive part and the implicit or non-conscious part.

It could be a person who has vivid memories of their traumatic event, it can be someone who has no memory. It can be someone who has had a physical trauma such as falling down during a sporting event to someone who has an unexplainable twitch or tingling sensation.

When a person experiences trauma the brain has processes in place to help the body to protect itself and when the traumatic experience is done our body releases the hormones responsible for this. Dis-regulation happens when our body can not experience this biological release either due to a perpetual or long-term perceived threat or situational circumstances that prohibit it. When this release is blocked our bodies often do not know what to do with these hormones and they can cause dis-regulation in the normal function of the body. This may present itself in the form of depression, anxiety, chronic illness, unexplained feelings or pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc.

With somatic experiencing each session will present itself uniquely and there are no set protocols. It is all very gentle and client led. There is a big focus on creating a safe environment for the client and thoroughly and slowly establishing the client-therapist relationship.

We may spend some time talking or doing reiki work to establish resources and connection and as the client feels comfortable we will add in bodywork modalities such as stretching, active resistance therapy, myofascial release, trigger point work, and Swedish massage.

Through this process, we will be gently exploring your trauma or sensations through focusing on right here, right now. During periods of talk, I may interrupt you at times which can be new to those who are familiar with talk therapy but the methods and tools in this practice are very different and very effective.

During the session, I will be utilizing the time to guide you into your body and help you make connections.

Contrary to traditional talk therapy, somatic therapy does NOT focus on verbalizing trauma but instead a somatic practitioner or somatic therapist will encourage you to feel what happens within your body when you think about talking about an experience. By familiarizing you with your felt sense of something, somatic therapy can then empower you to appropriate apply the “gas” or “brakes” to your nervous system response, often through breathing techniques, body “awakening” strategies, and other physical interventions to orient you to your body’s being and its signals so that YOU can learn how to calm or activate yourself, as needed, rather than feeling overwhelmed or shut down by bodily sensations.

My work with clients involves building awareness of their emotional experience, often by enhancing their own curiosity and attunement to what is happening in their bodies. I believe that a somatically integrated approach to understanding our emotions is essential, and I draw from Mindfulness-based Self-Compassion, Polyvagal Theory, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. I am a trauma informed therapist who has been trained both in Somatic EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Therapy and Somatic Therapy, both therapies that are focused on healing trauma, chronic stress, and burnout. Together we will work for you to develop insight and self-compassion, even when that feels foreign or scary.

 Katherine Smith Krissy Mays is hands down the best!! Seeing her has been life changing!! Seriously there are no words to describe, but I’ll try … I started seeing her due to severe migraines and a few other things. Since seeing her my migraines went from 16 a month to maybe 3-4 … in addition to I feel less anxiety, less ringing in my ears, I have more energy and mobility, and feel an over all sense of well being. If you are looking for the best in cranial sacral, look no further!!! She is amazing and the whole experience doesn’t disappoint. I feel like I am getting my life back!!! Highly recommend!!! 🧡🧡🧡 

 Amy Wynne  I 100% recommend Craniosacral therapy  to all newborn babies. Krissy is amazing and worked wonders on my baby boy. He was colicky and just seemed to be in pain from a quick birth. After his appointment, I had never seen my baby boy so relaxed and finally at peace with his body. Both Milo and I finally got some much needed sleep and happiness. I’ve already scheduled appointments for myself and the rest of my family. Thank you Krissy!
 

 Portia Davenport Let me start by saying how truly grateful I am for Krissy and the amazing services she offers. Her healing touch with Craniosacral played a huge part in the birth of my beautiful baby girl. I’m not certain I would have been able to conceive without her. I’ve also had the pleasure of receiving sound healing from her as well as experiencing one of her sound baths. I’ve been to a lot of sound baths and hers are by far some of my favorites! She’s a very gentle spirit and an amazing woman! When my daughter was born, I took her to see Krissy, and she was able to help with some complications we were having with breast feeding. I’ve recommended her to numerous people, and will continue to do so! 

 Renee “Renee” Torres While experiencing nerve pain in the mouth, I sought out, Krissy, for Craniosacral work. During our first twenty minute session my throbbing pain, which had been unbearable day and night, finally subsided to a tolerable level. After two follow up appointments, the swelling of my gums had completely subsided, as well as all of my pain gone by the third appointment. Krissy spared me from getting mouth surgery my dental office suggested, which I obviously didn't need! Thank you! 

 Cassandra Brandon Communication, Professionalism, Quality. Krissy Mays is an absolute savior for my body and soul! Her amazing therapy and techniques have helped me release past traumas trapped in my body that caused me a lot of pain. Her gift of healing is miraculous! I highly recommend her healing experience! 

 Tyler Hernandez  Seriously amazing.