Somatic Psychotherapy in Mississauga
Feelings do not live only in our thoughts. Before we can name a feeling, the body often knows it already: a tightness in the chest, a lump in the throat, breath that becomes shallow, shoulders that slowly rise toward the ears.
Somatic psychotherapy includes the body in the conversation. We still talk, but we also notice what the body is doing while we talk.
I am Atul Kumar Mehra, a Registered Psychotherapist offering somatic psychotherapy in Mississauga and online across Ontario.
What You May Be Experiencing
People who are drawn to somatic work often say things like:
- “I understand my problem, but my body still reacts.”
- Holding tension in the jaw, neck, shoulders or stomach
- Breathing that becomes tight or shallow when emotions rise
- Pressure in the chest or throat when something feels hard to say
- Feeling numb, disconnected from the body, or unsure what you feel
- Restlessness, or feelings that seem to show up in the body first
How Somatic Psychotherapy May Help
Paying gentle attention to the body can help us reach feelings that are hard to put into words. Sometimes a body reaction is connected with older experiences we have not yet made sense of.
Over time, many people become more familiar with their own signals. They notice earlier when something is building, and they may have more choice in how they respond.
Somatic psychotherapy is not a medical treatment, and it does not replace medical care. If you have physical symptoms that concern you, it is important to check them with your doctor.
How I Approach Somatic Work
Somatic psychotherapy with me is talk therapy that includes the body. It is not massage or a body treatment. We sit, we talk, and from time to time I may invite you to pause and notice your breathing, your posture or a sensation you describe.
You are always in charge of what you explore. If turning toward the body feels uncomfortable, we slow down or return to talking. Many people find this work fits naturally with anxiety therapy and trauma-informed psychotherapy.
What Sessions May Involve
A session may begin with whatever is on your mind. As we talk, we may notice together where a feeling seems to sit in the body, how the breath changes, or what happens when a difficult topic comes up.
There are no exercises you must perform and nothing you need to get right. The aim is simply to pay attention to all of what you are experiencing, not only the part you can explain.
In Person and Online
Somatic sessions can take place in person at my Mississauga office or online by secure video from anywhere in Ontario. Online, we can still notice breathing, posture and sensations together, though some people prefer the stillness of the office for this work.
Practical Details
Location. Jaagran Psychoanalysis and Wellness Centre, Suite 201, 4299 Village Centre Court, Mississauga, ON L4Z 1S2. All sessions are by appointment.
Fees & Insurance Coverage
Many extended health benefit plans include coverage for services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist. After each session, you will receive an official receipt that you can submit to your insurance provider.
Because coverage varies from one plan to another, please confirm directly with your insurance provider that Registered Psychotherapy is included in your benefits.
No medical referral is required to begin psychotherapy with me. However, your individual insurance plan may have its own requirements for reimbursement.
Free 15-Minute Consultation
If you would like to speak before booking your first session, I offer a free 15-minute introductory phone consultation. We can briefly discuss what is bringing you to therapy, whether my approach may be a good fit, and the practical details of working together, including fees and session frequency.
Questions People Often Ask
Is somatic psychotherapy a physical treatment?
No. It is a form of talk psychotherapy that pays attention to the body. It is not massage or a body treatment.
Do I have to be good at noticing my body?
Not at all. Many people start by saying they feel very little. Noticing is something we can develop slowly, together.
Can somatic psychotherapy treat physical symptoms?
It is not a medical treatment. Please see your doctor about physical symptoms. In therapy we explore how emotions and body sensations may be connected.
Can this be combined with other kinds of therapy?
Yes. Attention to the body can be part of individual, anxiety or trauma-informed work.
Ready to Talk?
If you sense that your body is carrying something your words have not reached yet, you are welcome to reach out.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation
Choose a convenient time for a brief introductory phone conversation.