Somatic Therapy Denver, Colorado for Burnt out, Anxious Perfectionists
A slowed down approach for deeper healing.
Providing somatic therapy in Denver, and throughout Colorado for high-functioning, high-achievers who:
over think the small stuff
impulsively say “yes” to everything, then regret it later
feel uncomfortable slowing down and struggle to relax
feel like they’ve hit a plateau in therapy and are ready to make real changes
Hi, I’m Martha Carter, LCSW!
I’m a somatic trauma therapist in Denver, working virtually with clients across the state of Colorado.
Using somatic therapy, I help people regulate their nervous systems so they can move out of chronic fight, flight, and freeze and into steadiness, clarity, and real self-trust.
No more relying on avoidance, keeping a busy schedule, or using food to cope. Just real relief — the kind that comes from actually rewiring your nervous system, not managing symptoms.
Is talk therapy not doing it for you?
If:
therapy has become dull, like you keep talking about the same things but nothing’s actually changing
it’s hard to find words for how you’re feeling, and trying to find them isn’t doing any good
you’re still feeling stuck despite being told you’re insightful and self-aware
you understand patterns on an intellectual level, like “I’m not inherently bad, everyone makes mistakes” but struggle to truly believe it
you actually feel more worked up after talk therapy sessions
…it may be time to explore a somatic approach.
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a mindful, slowed down approach focused on helping your body settle down so you can feel relaxed and present. Somatic is just a fancy way of saying body-focused, so in somatic therapy you’ll be frequently prompted to observe what’s happening in your body, like your breath, sensations, and impulses. Most of our nervous system communicates from body to brain, not brain to body, meaning that if you want to chill out, it’s more efficient to use your body as an anchor instead of your thoughts. This is why somatic therapy works so well: it capitalizes on our nervous system’s natural structure to find calm, peace, and clarity.
What Does A Somatic Session Look Like?
We’ll talk, but unlike in traditional talk therapy, I’ll skillfully interrupt you as your nervous system gets fired up so you can notice the activation and make space for safety and presence in your body before moving on. In talk theryapy, you might go on and on, and when you leave the session you feel just as anxious as before. But in somatic therapy, you’ll tune into the changes that happen as you talk (like faster breath, an impulse to run, tense shoulders, or suddenly spacing out), then I’ll help your nervous system come back to a calm, safe state. We’ll repeat this process again and again—this process teaches your nervous system flexibility so it can settle more easily (something you’re likely struggling to access on your own).
Where words fall short, your body holds the key to lasting transformation.
Do you feel…
like your heart is going to explode as soon as you wake up?
afraid to slow down or spend time alone because as soon as you do, you’re overwhelmed with emotions?
constantly tense, tight, and in pain?
disconnected and numb, like you’re just going through the motions without really being there?
like you can’t relax without using substances, an eating disorder behavior, or scrolling?
*** These are signs of a dysregulated nervous system. ***
When your nervous system is chronically fired up, symptoms like anxiety, overthinking, lack of control around food, and even pain often get worse no matter how hard you try. This is because these are ways you’ve learned to manage stress, and for pain, it’s how your body has responded to trauma and fear. While these adaptive behaviors help in the short-term, they have downsides that make the unsuitable for long-term use. Somatic therapy helps your body learn to feel okay and safe without these habits and their downsides.
This is where somatic therapy comes in.
Somatic therapy can help you…
Ease the feeling of being "on edge" all the time.
Not need to lean on habits that make you feel icky and ashamed.
Reduce pain and tension in your body.
Slow down and smell the roses… and not feel the need to rush through everything all the time.
Feel more alive and present.
Somatic Therapist Denver & Somatic Therapy Denver FAQs
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Somatic therapy can help with a wide range of issues, including trauma, anxiety, chronic stress, and self-esteem challenges. It’s particularly effective for those struggling with patterns like people-pleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling “stuck” despite their best efforts. By addressing the root causes stored in the body, somatic therapy supports healing and fosters a deeper sense of calm, confidence, and connection.
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Somatic therapy is a body-based approach to healing that helps deactivate the nervous system in ways talk therapy alone can’t. By focusing on the physical sensations tied to your emotions and experiences, it creates space for change rather than keeping you stuck in the same patterns. This work addresses trauma and stress on a bodily level, allowing you to shift out of survival mode and build a foundation for lasting growth and transformation.
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No prior experience with body-focused practices like yoga or meditation is needed for somatic therapy. This approach meets you exactly where you are, gently guiding you to reconnect with your body in ways that feel safe and accessible. Each session is tailored to your comfort level, making it a supportive option for anyone, regardless of experience.
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Somatic therapy is a body-based approach that focuses on your nervous system. It helps you process stress, trauma, and emotional patterns by working with physical sensations, not just thoughts.
This allows your body to come out of survival mode and into a state of safety and connection.
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Talk therapy helps you understand your experiences.
Somatic therapy helps your body change its response to them.
Instead of just gaining insight, we work in real time to help your nervous system settle, so you leave sessions feeling different, not just more aware.
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Trauma is stored in the nervous system and body.
Somatic therapy works by:
Noticing where activation shows up physically
Gently working with those sensations
Supporting your system in completing stress responses
Allowing your body to settle and regulate
This helps release patterns of fight, flight, freeze, and shutdown.
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Yes. Somatic therapy is especially effective for sexual trauma because it doesn’t rely on talking alone.
It helps you:
Rebuild a sense of safety in your body
Reconnect with physical sensations at your own pace
Reduce shame and disconnection
Feel more in control of your boundaries and experiences
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Yes. Many eating patterns are rooted in nervous system dysregulation and a sense of disconnection from the body.
Somatic therapy helps you rebuild a safer, more attuned relationship with your body, so behaviors don’t feel like the only way to cope.
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Somatic therapy addresses the nervous system patterns that can keep pain active.
By helping your body come out of chronic tension and protective states, you may experience:
Reduced pain intensity
Less bracing and tightness
Increased ease and mobility
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It doesn’t mean you’re always calm and chill. What it actually means is that you’re responding to reality than your perception (which can be really off when you’ve got unhealed trauma).
This looks like getting mad when anger is justified, speaking up when you’re being taken advantage of, trying to get out of bad work or relationship dynamics, and of course, being relaxed when there’s no real threat present.
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Sessions are guided and interactive.
We move between:
Talking about what’s coming up
Tracking sensations in your body
Supporting your system in settling
Returning to the topic with more regulation
This helps create real-time change that carries into your daily life.
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Yes. In many cases, it’s even more effective because you’re in your own environment, which can support a greater sense of safety.
You’ll be guided step-by-step, so you’re never left wondering what to do.
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This approach is especially helpful if you:
Feel stuck despite doing a lot of self-work
Struggle with anxiety, shutdown, or overwhelm
Experience chronic pain or tension
Tend to people-please or avoid conflict
Feel disconnected from your body or emotions
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Clients often notice:
A more regulated nervous system
Increased emotional resilience
Greater confidence and boundaries
Improved connection in relationships
A stronger sense of self
Reduced eating disorder urges and behaviors
Less chronic pain and more confidence managing it
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You can reach out through my contact page to schedule a consultation. We’ll schedule an initial session during that call if the fit feels right for you.