How To Find a Somatic Therapist in San Francisco

So you have done some research and know that you want to find a somatic therapist. Maybe you have decided that talk therapy is not for you. Or you have done talk therapy and find yourself talking in circles and not really progressing or healing and it is time to try something different. Finding a therapist is tough enough in SF—where there are  SO many options—but finding the right one for you can be challenging, especially when you are looking for a somatic therapist.  To help you get started, here are a list of questions to help narrow down your list of therapists.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Somatic Therapist in San Francisco

 I understand how it might feel daunting to assess someone other than a talk therapist.  How do you know if this person is a good fit for you and can help you with what you wish to work on?  Here are some questions to ask a potential somatic therapist that will help you assess her/him/them. 

1)    What kind of somatic therapy do you practice?

The term somatic therapy can refer to a variety of therapies that use the body as a way to improve one’s mental health. It is important to know what training a somatic therapist has and what modality in particular they use so that you can assess whether that modality is right for you. Say a therapist uses dance therapy or somatic experiencing. I would recommend googling those terms to find out more information. There are a variety of somatic therapies out there—try to find the one you feel like resonates with you.

2)    What license do you have to practice therapy or counseling?

In addition to making sure the person you are working with has training in a particular somatic modality, it is important to make sure that the person you are looking to get therapy from is a licensed mental health professional.  You want to entrust your mental health care to qualified professionals that are licensed to practice in your state. 

3)    How do you approach therapy and what can I expect from somatic therapy with you?

This question gives you an idea as to how your therapist works and sets up clear expectations for therapy with that person.  You should have a greater sense of this therapist’s style and beliefs about therapy after asking this question.

4)     How much experience do you have treating people with the kind of symptoms I am describing or with my particular life experience?

Again, this question will speak to how qualified this particular therapist may be to help you.  If you have anxiety and the person you are speaking with specializes in something different, they might not be the person for you.  Also, if it is especially important that a therapist understand your cultural background, ethnicity, or any other aspect about you, make sure they have experience treating people similar to you OR come from that particular background themselves.

5) Do you provide therapy in person or online?

As online therapy continues to be be popular with both therapists and clients, it’s important to know what options are available to you. Perhaps you prefer an in person connection over connection via computer, or vice versa. Make sure to ask what each therapist offers to help guide your decision-making process.

Lastly, I hope this helps you find the right somatic therapist in San Francisco If you are still feeling stuck, feel free to call me, Lisa Manca, at (415) 212-8780 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. I’d be happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person. If you are looking for help with trauma, anxiety, or depression, you can read more about how I can help here.