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Integrative Somatic Psychotherapy, Consultation, and Training

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How I Work:

Healing for Mind, Body, & Soul

I am a licensed Somatic Psychotherapist with nearly 30 years of experience guiding individuals and couples on their journeys toward healing, self-awareness, and spiritual connection.

 

My practice is deeply informed by my extensive training and practice in Somatic Psychotherapy, Trauma-Informed Care, Ayurveda, Organic Intelligence, Internal Family Systems, EMDR, Psychophysical Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Hakomi. Drawing from these rich frameworks, and extensive experience,  I have cultivated my own integrative approach that extends outside of any specific modality—one that honors the complexity of human experience while supporting profound healing and transformation. You can read more about my Somatic Psychotherapy philosophy here.

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You're in the right place if...

You’re a person, or a couple with some ground beneath you—this isn’t the beginning, but it is the next step. Maybe you’ve tried traditional therapy, or have a spiritual practice, or have been on your own alternative healing path for some time. You’ve experienced self-alignment, inner movement, what transformative change is like, and you want more of it. 

 

You notice what things feel right, and what things don’t. You may not always know what to do with this information, but you have access to what lights up in your body in the presence of something off or something true and are able to talk about it.

 

You might have lived through a lot. You may have some trauma, but it's not the only thing in the room anymore. Like most of us engaged in an introspective process, you sometimes move fast, but know there’s wisdom when you slow down. Some aspect of self inside you is available—you’re willing to feel, to collaborate, and are ready for real change, but you need guidance to catalyst the movement.

You don’t need someone to lead or fix you. You’re looking for someone who can meet you where you are, reflect what’s already true, and help you stay with it long enough for something to shift.

Whether you come on your own or with a partner, this work deepens when there’s a willingness to engage. This is the opening where transformation becomes possible, and I’m here to guide you on the path.

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What I do: I guide individuals and couples seeking a consciousness-based path to reconnect with their deeper current & self energy, align with their purpose, and live from a place of authenticity and wholeness. Rather than focusing solely on problems, we orient toward what is working, what is emerging, and what is possible. Our work is rooted in mindfulness, relational attunement, and curiosity—meeting whatever arises with compassion, while fostering clarity and growth. Whether you are navigating life transitions, seeking to heal relational dynamics, or simply yearning for a deeper sense of vitality and wholeness, I offer a grounded, heart-centered space to support your unfolding journey.​​​​​​

Who I help: I work with individuals and couples from diverse walks of life—neurodivergent and neurotypical, queer and heterosexual, kinky and monogamous, ethically non-monogamous and polyamorous. Together, we explore what creates a secure attachment, a steady and safe harbor—whether building a secure base within monogamy or navigating the nuanced currents of polysecure connection. Many have come after trying traditional therapy but still feeling held back, seeking a deeper layer of healing and a container that holds their growth, balance, and transformation.

A therapy session with me: Each session is a collaborative journey, informed by my decades of experiences and your own self capacity. While there are maps, skills, and knowledge that guide the work, it is also an organic unfolding. We may explore sensations, emotions, beliefs, movement, and energy. I help you navigate patterns, access strengths, and build resources for regulation and resilience. My work is trauma-informed, but not trauma-focused; we honor past wounds without being bound by them, focusing instead on cultivating present-moment stability, self-awareness, growth, aliveness, and joy. 

I work best with people who: are open-minded, curious, and seeking an awareness based path to healing that involves the development and raising of consciousness, self awareness, growth and healing. I value non-violence, mindfulness, relational connection, and the ability to distill complexity into clarity. I help you distinguish your true self from old patterns and wounding, supporting your journey toward thriving.

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Modalities that inform my work:

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Somatic Psychotherapy

Somatic Psychotherapy integrates body awareness with traditional therapy to address the mind-body connection. By exploring physical sensations and emotional responses, this modality helps individuals release trauma, process emotions, and achieve greater integration and healing.

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Parts Work/

Internal Family Systems

Parts Work, or Internal Family Systems (IFS), views the mind as composed of distinct “parts,” each with a specific history and role. By fostering curiosity, awareness, and compassion, IFS helps individuals heal inner conflicts and integrate these parts for greater self-understanding and a more whole self.

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Hakomi

Hakomi Therapy is a mindfulness-centered somatic approach that integrates body awareness with psychotherapy. It helps individuals uncover unconscious patterns, fostering self-discovery, emotional healing, and deeper mind-body connection through present-moment experience.

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Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy combines talk therapy with body-focused techniques to address trauma. By focusing on physical sensations, movements, and emotions, it helps release stored trauma and restore mind and body balance, supporting healing and emotional regulation.

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Organic Intelligence

Organic Intelligence is a body-centered approach that helps individuals reconnect with their nervous system’s natural ability to regulate. This modality promotes emotional balance and resilience, supporting a shift from stress and survival modes to a state of ease and well-being.

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EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach that uses bilateral stimulation to process and reframe traumatic memories. It helps individuals heal by reducing the emotional intensity of past events, promoting emotional regulation and well-being.

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Trauma Informed

Trauma-Informed Care focuses on understanding the effects of trauma and creating a safe, supportive environment for healing. It emphasizes nervous system regulation and stabilization, allowing individuals to foster long-term recovery and process their experiences without re-traumatization.

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Ayurveda 

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that emphasizes balance within the body, mind, and spirit. It incorporates personalized nutrition, lifestyle changes, and herbal remedies to restore health. Ayurveda aims to prevent illness and promote long-term wellness through holistic care.

My work draws on extensive experience in various modalities, while extending far beyond them to integrate intuitive wisdom for healing and transformation. Below are some of these modalities.

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The Voice ~Shel Silverstein

There is a voice inside of you
that whispers all day long,
"I feel that this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong."
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
or wise man can decide
what's right for you - just listen to
the voice that speaks inside.
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Contact Me

Providing services in California, with Maine coming soon

Telehealth appointments only

JustineMelisandeMFT@embodiedpsychotherapy.com

Tel: 510-710-2301 (Text only, no Voicemail)

© 2025 

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