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  • At first glance, the term may sound redundant – since somatic means "relating to the body" and that is already included in body psychotherapy. I use it, however, to emphasize that this approach is a specific, body-oriented form of psychotherapy:

    • It brings awareness to bodily sensations such as breathing, muscle tension, or inner movement impulses

    • It supports the processing of stress and trauma experiences that are stored in the nervous system

    • It combines psychological dialogue with mindful bodywork

    In this way, the body becomes an important doorway to better understand emotional processes and enable lasting change.

  • Somatic body-psychotherapy is a holistic therapeutic approach that integrates traditional talk therapy with body awareness and nervous system regulation. Unlike conventional therapy that focuses primarily on thoughts and emotions, somatic therapy recognizes that trauma, stress, and emotional patterns are stored in the body and nervous system.

    I work primarily with Core Energetics, a scientifically-grounded body-centered psychotherapy that combines talk therapy with movement, breathwork, and emotional expression. This approach helps release energetic blocks held in your physical body, increases self-awareness, and restores your natural sense of vitality and aliveness.

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    As your somatic therapist, I support you to:

    • Connect with your feelings and body wisdom

    • Release energy blockages stored in your physical body

    • Regulate your nervous system for better emotional stability

    • Ground yourself and feel more alive and authentic

    • Expand your consciousness and self-awareness

    • Express your true essence without masks or roles

  • Core Energetics is a body-centered psychotherapy developed in the 1970s by Dr. John Pierrakos, a psychiatrist and physician who studied with Wilhelm Reich (a student of Freud) and co-founded Bioenergetics with Dr. Alexander Lowen. Building on this rich therapeutic lineage, Dr. Pierrakos created Core Energetics by adding a spiritual dimension to mind-body therapy.

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    The Science Behind Core Energetics

    This approach is grounded in modern neuroscience and trauma research. Leading experts like Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score) and Dr. Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory) have demonstrated that emotions, trauma, and stress are stored in the body as well as the mind. Their research validates how breath, movement, and embodied practices are essential for deep healing and nervous system regulation.

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    Professional Training and Certification

    Core Energetics is taught worldwide through comprehensive 4-5 year professional training programs. Certified practitioners are extensively trained to create safe, supportive therapeutic spaces where personal healing and transformation can unfold naturally and safely.

  • I provide somatic therapy, ERM and coaching sessions primarily in English and German. I also offer basic support in Swedish and Dutch for clients who prefer these languages.

  • Anyone seeking deeper healing and personal growth can benefit from somatic therapy. I work with:

    • Individuals of all ages and backgrounds

    • Couples seeking relationship healing

    • Friends and family groups

    • People from all gender identities

    • Those ready for long-term therapeutic work

  • Yes! I provide specialized couples therapy and relationship counseling using somatic approaches like ERM. I work with couples of all orientations and relationship structures who are seeking to:

    • Improve communication and emotional connection

    • Resolve conflicts and relationship patterns

    • Heal from relationship trauma or betrayal

    • Strengthen intimacy and sexual connection

    • Navigate major life transitions together

    • Break cycles of reactivity and create more conscious relating

  • I utilize the Embodied Couples Mentoring (ERM) approach developed by Brian and Marcia Gleason, which integrates somatic awareness with relationship healing. ERM recognizes that relationship patterns are held not just in our minds, but in our bodies and nervous systems.

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    This approach helps couples:

    • Develop somatic awareness of how your body responds to your partner and relationship dynamics

    • Regulate your nervous systems together to create safety and connection

    • Identify and shift unconscious body-based patterns that create conflict

    • Practice embodied communication that goes beyond words to include presence and energy

    • Heal attachment wounds that affect how you connect and bond

    • Create secure attachment through body-based practices and nervous system co-regulation

    ERM sessions combine traditional couples work with movement, breath, touch (when appropriate), and body awareness exercises to create lasting transformation in how you relate to each other.

  • I specialize in working with a wide range of psychological, interpersonal, and psychosomatic conditions through body-based approaches:

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    Anxiety and Fear-Based Disorders

    • Social anxiety and specific phobias

    • Generalized anxiety disorder

    • Panic attacks and panic disorder

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    Depression and Mood Disorders

    • Persistent self-criticism and inner doubt

    • Rumination and obsessive thoughts

    • Guilt and shame patterns

    • Depressive episodes and chronic low mood

    • Feelings of alienation and disconnection

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    Trauma and Attachment Issues

    • Early childhood trauma and attachment wounds

    • Crisis intervention and trauma recovery

    • Adjustment disorders following major life changes

    • PTSD and complex trauma responses

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    Relationship and Interpersonal Problems

    • Partnership conflicts and communication issues

    • Family relationship difficulties

    • Workplace relationship challenges

    • Sexual intimacy concerns

    • Attachment and bonding/ attachment issues

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    Physical and Psychosomatic Symptoms

    • Chronic stress and tension

    • Psychosomatic complaints (headaches, digestive issues)

    • Sleep disorders and insomnia

    • Burnout and exhaustion

    • Disturbed body image and self-perception

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    Personal Development Goals

    • Identity exploration and meaning-making

    • Spiritual growth and consciousness expansion

    • Authentic self-expression

    • Breaking free from limiting patterns

  • Somatic Body-Psychotherapy is a long-term, depth-oriented approach that addresses underlying patterns, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation. It goes beyond surface symptoms to create lasting transformation through body awareness and emotional processing.

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    Embodied Coaching is typically shorter-term and focuses on specific goals or current challenges. It incorporates somatic awareness but maintains a more structured, solution-focused approach for clients seeking targeted personal development.

  • Somatic body-psychotherapy may be ideal if you're experiencing:

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    Physical and Emotional Symptoms

    • Chronic tension, stress, or unexplained physical symptoms

    • Feeling disconnected from your body or emotions

    • Anxiety that you feel in your body (tight chest, shallow breathing, racing heart)

    • Depression that feels "stuck" in your system

    • Sleep disturbances or persistent fatigue

    • Digestive issues or headaches related to stress

    • Feeling numb, empty, or emotionally shut down

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    Relationship and Life Patterns

    • Repeating the same relationship conflicts or patterns

    • Difficulty setting boundaries or expressing your needs

    • Feeling like you're constantly performing or wearing a mask

    • Struggling with intimacy or sexual connection

    • Feeling overwhelmed by emotions or completely cut off from them

    • Experiencing panic attacks or intense emotional reactions

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    Past Experiences Affecting Your Present

    • Unresolved trauma that talk therapy alone hasn't fully addressed

    • Early childhood experiences that still impact your daily life

    • Feeling like your mind understands something but your body hasn't "gotten the message"

    • Knowing what you "should" do but feeling unable to actually do it

    Somatic body-psychotherapy may also be perfect for your healing journey if you:

    • Want to feel more connected to your authentic self

    • Are tired of wearing masks and living up to idealized images

    • Seek structure and clarity in your healing journey

    • Desire to work with both grounded and spiritually-open approaches

    • Prefer not to be pathologized or labeled

    • Are committed to deep, long-term personal work

    • Want to be seen and accepted as you truly are

    • Are ready to face all aspects of yourself, including difficult emotions

    • Seek a holistic approach to healing and growth

    • Want to fall in love with yourself and feel more alive

  • Healing through somatic therapy is a process that requires time, patience, and commitment. Changes typically don't happen overnight, and the journey can be challenging at times. However, the deep transformation that occurs through this body-based approach is often more lasting and profound than surface-level interventions.

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    Important Note: My somatic therapy, couples counsling and coaching work complements but does not replace medical treatment when necessary. For serious physical or psychiatric conditions, I recommend maintaining contact with qualified medical professionals. My practice follows the professional standards for naturopathic practitioners in psychotherapy (HP Psych) in Germany.

  • As a private practice, I cannot directly bill statutory health insurance providers. However, reimbursement options may be available:

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    Private Health Insurance

    Check with your private health insurance or supplementary insurance provider before beginning therapy. Many cover body-oriented psychotherapy performed by licensed naturopathic practitioners (HP Psych). Coverage typically ranges from partial reimbursement (often 80%) to coverage for a limited number of sessions.

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    Billing Process

    If your insurance covers treatment, billing follows the German Fee Schedule for Naturopathic Practitioners (GebüH). You'll receive a detailed invoice with diagnosis and service descriptions to submit for reimbursement after payment.

    If insurance doesn’t cover the treatment you will receive a classical invoice.

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    Tax Benefits

    If insurance doesn't cover costs, therapy expenses can often be claimed as extraordinary expenses for tax purposes. Consult your tax advisor for specific guidance.

  • I offer several convenient payment options for your sessions:

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    Accepted Payment Methods

    • Bank transfer (preferred method)

    • Cash (for in-person sessions)

    • PayPal

    • Please note: Credit/debit cards are not accepted

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    Payment Terms and Fees

    • Payment deadline: Invoices must be paid within 7 days of receipt

    • Transaction fees: All money exchange fees or transaction costs are the client's responsibility

    • Invoicing schedule: For ongoing therapy, invoices are typically sent at the end of each month

    • Payment plans: Available for coaching packages only (not available for therapy sessions). Please note: a service fee will be added to each installment.

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    Session Fees

    • Individual therapy intake (60 minutes): €120

    • Couples therapy intake (60 minutes): €160

    • Coaching intake (60 minutes): €120

    • Ongoing coaching sessions (60 minutes): €150

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    Ongoing therapy session pricing is discussed during the intake session and depends on your specific needs and chosen treatment approach. 

    Weekend Sessions: Available with an additional €50 surcharge for Saturday and Sunday appointments.

  • Unlike many panel therapists with long waiting lists, I can typically offer appointments on short notice when needed. Contact me to check current availability.

  • Step 1: Initial Intake Session (60 minutes)

    Whether you're interested in individual therapy, couples therapy, or coaching, we begin with a comprehensive intake session where we:

    • Get to know each other in a relaxed setting

    • Discuss what brings you to therapy and your goals

    • Review confidentiality and practice guidelines

    • Examine your medical and family history

    • Determine if we're a good therapeutic match

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    Step 2A: For Individual Therapy - Trial Period

    If you choose to continue with individual somatic therapy, we'll schedule:

    • 5 trial sessions to experience body-psychotherapy firsthand

    • Joint evaluation at the end of the fifth session

    • Decision point about long-term therapeutic commitment

    • Flexible scheduling options (weekly, bi-weekly, or as needed)

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    Step 2B: For Couples Therapy - Trial Period

    For couples choosing to continue with ERM (Embodied Couples Mentoring), we'll schedule:

    • 5 trial sessions (90 minutes each) to experience embodied couples work

    • Joint evaluation at the end of fifth session with both partners

    • Decision about continuing with couples therapy

    • Flexible scheduling options based on your relationship's needs

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    Step 2C: For Coaching - Package Selection

    For embodied coaching, we'll:

    • Choose from available coaching packages or create an individual plan 

    • Commit to a predetermined number of bi-weekly sessions

    • Focus on specific goals and outcomes

  • The intake session is designed to get to know each other better and offers the opportunity to have a relaxed conversation in which you can tell me what brings you to me and what you wish and hope for yourself. We'll discuss confidentiality, and I'll go over my guidelines with you as well as have a look at your medical history - family and health wise.
     

    At the end of the intake session we decide whether working together is the right way to go for you at this point in time.

  • If you can't or prefer not to come in person, we can work together effectively via secure video calls. Online sessions work usually very well and allow you to experience the benefits of body-based work from your own comfortable space.

  • Ready to begin your healing journey? Schedule your intake session by:

    • Using the contact form on my website

    • Emailing me directly at fehu.freyjadottir@gmail.com

    • Mentioning any scheduling preferences or urgent needs

  • To respect both your time and mine:

    • Please provide at least 48 hours notice for cancellations

    • Appointments canceled with less than 48 hours notice, no matter the reason, will be charged in full

    • Same-week rescheduling may waive cancellation fees

    • Online sessions available as alternatives during illness

Image by Gigi on Unsplash

_____    FAQ

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_____    Ready to connect with your body's wisdom and transform your life? Contact me today to schedule your intake session and begin your journey toward authentic healing and growth.

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