How to Prepare for Your First Somatic Healing Session

Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Session

You've booked your first somatic healing session. Maybe you're excited. Maybe you're nervous. Maybe you're wondering what you've gotten yourself into.

All of those feelings are welcome here.

I've worked with hundreds of first-time clients, and I can tell you: the nervousness is normal, the not-knowing-what-to-expect is universal, and your body already knows how to do this - even if your mind doesn't believe it yet.

This guide will walk you through exactly what to expect before, during, and after your session, so you can arrive feeling prepared and open.

What Is Somatic Healing, Exactly?

Before we dive into preparation, let's clarify what you're signing up for.

Somatic healing is a body-centered approach to releasing trauma, tension, and stuck energy. Unlike talk therapy, which works primarily through the mind, somatic work recognizes that our experiences are stored in our bodies - in our muscles, fascia, organs, and nervous system.

As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk writes in "The Body Keeps the Score": "The body keeps the score... trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way mind and brain manage perceptions."

In a session, we work directly with your body - through breathwork, gentle touch, energy work, and presence - to help release what's been held and restore your natural state of flow.

Before the Session: Practical Preparation

What to wear:

• Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (think yoga clothes)
• Nothing restrictive around your waist or chest - you need to breathe freely
• Layers are helpful, as body temperature can fluctuate during the session
• You'll remain fully clothed throughout

What to eat (and not eat):

• Avoid heavy meals 2-3 hours before the session
• A light snack is fine if you're hungry
• Stay hydrated, but don't overdo water right before (you'll want to stay present, not thinking about the bathroom)
• Avoid caffeine if you can - it can increase anxiety and interfere with relaxation
• Definitely avoid alcohol or recreational substances

What to bring:

• Just yourself - everything else is provided
• A water bottle if you like
• An open mind and willingness to feel

Logistics:

• Arrive 5-10 minutes early to settle in
• Use the bathroom before we begin
• Turn your phone to silent (or off)
• If you have any health conditions or medications, let me know before we start

Setting an Intention (But Not Too Tightly)

Before your session, take a few minutes to reflect:

• What brought you to this work?
• What are you hoping to release or heal?
• What would you like to feel or experience?

Having an intention gives direction, but hold it loosely. Sometimes the body has its own agenda - it knows what needs attention, even if your conscious mind has different ideas.

If you can't think of an intention, this is perfectly valid: "I'm open to whatever wants to emerge."

What Actually Happens During the Session

Opening conversation (10-15 minutes):

We'll begin sitting and talking. I'll ask about what brings you in, your intention, any health concerns, and what you're hoping to experience. This is also your chance to ask questions and express any nervousness.

This conversation helps me understand how to best support you, and it helps your nervous system assess that you're in a safe space.

The bodywork portion (45-60 minutes):

You'll lie down on a comfortable mat, fully clothed. I'll guide you into connected breathing - a continuous breath pattern that helps activate your body's natural healing response.

As you breathe, I may:

• Use gentle touch or pressure on specific points
• Work with your fascia (connective tissue) to release held tension
• Channel energy work and Light Language transmissions
• Guide you verbally through what you're experiencing
• Simply hold space in silence while your body processes

Your job is simple: breathe, feel, and allow.

You don't need to do anything "right." You don't need to make anything happen. Your body knows what to do - we're just creating the conditions for it to do its work.

Integration (5-10 minutes):

After the active portion, you'll rest in stillness. This is crucial - it allows your system to integrate what just happened. I'll guide you gently back to full awareness.

We'll close with a brief conversation about what you experienced and how to support yourself in the coming days.

What You Might Experience (The Full Range)

Every session is unique. Here's the full spectrum of what's possible:

Physical sensations:

• Tingling, buzzing, or electrical sensations
• Waves of heat or cold
• Trembling, shaking, or spontaneous movement
• Feeling of energy moving through your body
• Deep relaxation or heaviness
• Lightness or feeling of floating

Emotional releases:

• Tears (even without sadness)
• Laughter (even without humor)
• Sounds wanting to come out
• Waves of different emotions - grief, anger, joy, relief
• Feeling of catharsis or release

Mental/spiritual experiences:

• Memories surfacing
• Images or visions
• Insights or realizations
• Sense of connection to something larger
• Moments of clarity or understanding

Or... nothing dramatic at all:

Some people have subtle sessions - a gradual deepening of relaxation, a gentle sense of peace. This is equally valid. Healing doesn't always come with fireworks. Sometimes it whispers.

Common Fears Addressed

"What if I can't relax?"
You don't need to relax perfectly. Nervousness is normal, and your body will do what it needs to do even if your mind is busy. Just keep breathing.

"What if I don't feel anything?"
Healing happens whether you feel it dramatically or not. Sometimes shifts are subtle and reveal themselves over days or weeks. Trust the process.

"What if I lose control?"
You're never out of control. You can open your eyes, slow your breath, or stop completely at any moment. You're always the authority on your own experience.

"What if I cry or make sounds?"
This is not only normal - it's welcome. Your session is a safe space for whatever needs to express. Nothing you do will be judged or considered "too much."

"Do I have to talk about my trauma?"
No. One of the beautiful things about somatic work is that your body can heal without your mind needing to narrate the story. You can share as much or as little as you like.

After Your Session: What to Expect

The session creates an opening. Integration happens in the hours and days that follow.

Immediately after:

• You might feel deeply relaxed, spacey, or emotionally tender
• Drink water - lots of it
• Avoid jumping straight back into busyness
• Give yourself at least an hour of gentle time before responsibilities

The first 24-48 hours:

• Rest if your body asks for it
• Emotions may continue to surface - let them
• You might have vivid dreams
• Physical sensations may continue as your body integrates
• Avoid alcohol and heavy foods
• Journal any insights before they fade

The first week:

• Notice how you respond differently to situations
• Be gentle with yourself - integration takes time
• Continue any breathwork practices you learned
• Reach out if you have questions or need support

One Final Note

If you're nervous, that's okay. If you don't know what to expect, that's okay. If you're not sure this will work for you, that's okay too.

All you need to bring is your willingness to show up and your openness to feel.

Your body has been waiting for this - for permission to release what it's been holding, for a safe space to process, for someone to witness your healing without trying to fix you.

You're not broken. You're not too much. And you're not alone in this. I'm honored to hold space for whatever wants to emerge.