Body-based care for transitional times

Support for birth, death, and the beginnings & endings in between

Somatic:

of, relating to, or affecting the body; also an umbrella term for therapeutic modalities that focus on the body & support nervous system flexibility & resilience

Doula:

a person who provides non-medical care (emotional, logistical, educational, physical) through a significant life experience (birth, death, illness, appointments, transitions)

Hi there! I’m Ash.

And I’d love to be a companion on your journey as you navigate all the challenges & joys of being a person in this world.

Animals in the wild know how to navigate birth, death, and stressful events—they go into activated or frozen nervous systems states and intuitively know how to come back to the present moment once the danger has passed. The human animal knows how to navigate this terrain too, but we live world that has separated us from the language of the body, the cycles of the earth, and the support of community—all the things we need to prevent trauma and feel safe.

My work as a somatic practitioner & doula is supporting people in actually hearing & trusting what their bodies have to say and reminding them they aren’t alone. This work can feel slow & subtle, but over time transforms the way that people interact with their self and the world around them.

Check out the frequently asked questions for more specifics on what I offer and what it looks like to work together.

Is somatic support like seeing a therapist?

Sorta! It’s also really different: I typically don’t work with people in active crisis, I have a different set of skills, and I don’t diagnose. Many of the people I work with also see a psychotherapist who supports their ability to process things verbally, but some people feel like something is missing—they feel disconnected from their physical body and want support specifically around that. As a somatic practitioner I offer a space where people can learn about how bodies work, practice listening to their unique body with compassion & patience, and explore different tools for bringing those listening skills into everyday moments.

Is working with a doula like having a midwife?

Nope! A doula provides emotional, physical, mental, informational, logistical, and / or spiritual support but doesn’t provide any medical-related care or advise from a medical perspective. Many of my doula clients appreciate having a support person who is dedicated solely to their emotional wellbeing during birth, death, or other health-related experiences (surgeries, appointments, etc.) and who can be with them before / during / after in a way that a doctor simply can’t. Doulas help create care plans, find resources, ask questions, and generally help people to feel witnessed while interacting with a fast-paced medical system.