Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
Holistic Anxiety, Trauma, and Attachment Therapist in Los Angeles
The Power of Touch: How Somatic Therapy in LA Can Reshape Your Mental Health
When you begin somatic therapy in Los Angeles, you’ll notice it’s not “chit-chat” or “small talk” therapy. This therapy is about diving deep into the connection between your mind and body,. Somatic therapy centers on listening to the way that your physical body holds onto your emotions, traumas, and the way you move through the world. So, if you’re ready to embark on a journey that helps you reconnect with your subconscious needs, here are 5 transformative shifts you can expect. From the moment you start, you’ll notice changes—big ones. You’ll acknowledge a level of body awareness that makes you wonder how you ever managed to ignore it.
But it doesn’t stop there. When we deep dive into your past, we will explore how you experienced past memories (and not just focusing on surface-level memories). We will work with your body to help you discover the root causes of your present reactions and behaviors. And the cherry on top? An enhanced connection to both yourself and others. This can help lead you to relationships that are richer, deeper, and more authentic than ever before. So, buckle up! This journey through somatic therapy is about to shake up your world in the best way possible, leaving you more in tune, connected, and present. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore what this transformative therapy can really do.
| If you’re interested in learning more about somatic therapy with Cheryl Groskopf, click here.
#1: Body Awareness
When you jump into somatic therapy, the first thing that’ll hit you is this intense boost in body awareness. You won’t just catch yourself tensing up or grinding your teeth. It’’s actually way deeper than that. Your body will start screaming at you in a language you’ve never paid much attention to before. Anxiety won’t just be a word, it’ll be a cold twist in your stomach. Anger won’t just be an emotion, it’ll feel like a tight grip around your chest. Then it finally clicks – your body’s been trying to communicate with you all along, but you’ve been tuning it out .
What I love about somatic therapy: This therapy totally debunks that old-school thought of mind over here, body over there. It throws you into the deep end of understanding how tangled up they really are. When we experience everyday life, we’re kinda programmed to value thinking over feeling, like emotions are just messy data messing with our logic. Somatic therapy is like, “Nope, let’s flip that.” This means tuning in, really dialing into the body’s channel. That neck pain you’ve been ignoring? It might just be a mix of stuff you haven’t said out loud. It turns out, those physical twitches and twinges are your body’s way of waving red flags, trying to get your attention about what’s eating you up inside.
Becoming more aware of your body’s signals REALLY changes the game. It hands you the keys to understand your own triggers and soothe yourself like a pro. This helps you learn how to spot the difference between everyday stress and something deeper gnawing at you. You start figuring out what calms you down, what sets you off, and how to steer clear of the emotional triggers. You kind of start becoming your own personal detective, piecing together clues on how to live a less frazzled, more awesome life. It’s rough at times, it’s real, but damn, it’s rewarding.
#2: Emotional Release
The next thing you’ll experience in somatic therapy? Emotional release. Imagine carrying a heavy backpack full of bricks—each brick representing an exiled emotion. Somatic therapy is about finally setting that heavy load down. It’s hands-on work where you walk towards, acknowledge and release those emotions. It’s not about brushing them under the rug or putting on a brave face. The focus is on acknowledging them, feeling them fully, and then letting them go. This process is transformative by leading to a lighter, more liberated self.
Emotional release in somatic therapy doesn’t play by the “mind’s rules” of suppression and denial. The body acts as a truth-map, always holding onto what’s been hidden or ignored. Through guided physical exercises and mindful awareness, you’ll start to experience emotions that you’ve tucked away for a while. This can be intense—tears, laughter, even anger might emerge unexpectedly. But this isn’t about losing control! Instead, you’re invited to reclaim it! By facing these emotions head-on, you learn to navigate through them, not around them. It’s a direct path to healing.
This journey through emotional release isn’t just about confronting the past. You’ll also be changing your present and future by breaking the cycle of emotional suppression that holds you back. You learn to recognize emotional cues, understand their origins, and address them in healthy, constructive ways. The result? A stronger, more resilient you, ready to face life’s challenges with a new level of clarity and insight.
#3: Improved Regulation Skills
3. Improved regulation skills
As you continue with somatic therapy, you’ll begin to experience improved regulation skills. This isn’t like learning a worksheet online about how to “control” your emotions. The process includes rewiring how you respond to stress, triggers, and the random ups and downs of life. Imagine being in a situation that is usually triggering, but remaining calm, centered, and in control. That’s what we’re talking about. It’s as if you’ve been handed instructions to your emotions, learning how to dial down the heat when things get too intense, or warm things up when you’re feeling numb. This level of control is a game-changing. Instead of being controlled by life’s unexpected challenges, you’re in control. You have the tools to handle life’s highs and lows with confidence and stability.
This skill develops as you understand your body’s signals and responses. You’ll learn to recognize warning signs before stress peaks or anxiety overwhelms you. Somatic therapy teaches you to spot these cues early, empowering you to react proactively to your mental health. Instead of reacting to emotions, you’ll anticipate and manage them in real-time. This shift takes practice and patience but offers significant rewards, like regulating your emotions intuitively.
Mastering these regulation skills means moving through life with a sense of purpose and resilience. Imagine being at a place where you’re ready to face challenges head-on without getting scared of feeling your emotions. Imagine facing a stressful situation and having tools to stay present. Maybe it’s deep breathing, mindfulness, or body-centered exercises. The benefits go beyond just focusing on your internal world. It enriches your relationships, your work, and your overall quality of life. You’ll learn to show up as the best version of yourself, not just on the good days but every day. Somatic therapy lays the groundwork for this. It helps you on a path to not just cope with life but to truly understand emotional regulation.
#4: You'll Be Diving Into the Past (With Purpose)
Diving into the past through somatic therapy means confronting and understanding the origins of your current emotional and bodily responses. This process involves closely examining the impact of your early experiences and traumas to uncover how they’ve shaped your present behaviors and reactions. It’s an insightful exploration that allows you to see the connections between your past + how you navigate the world today. This understanding is necessary because it provides the foundation on which healing and change are built.
Throughout this therapeutic journey, you’ll come to realize that the coping mechanisms you developed over time, while once necessary for survival, might now act as barriers to your well-being and happiness. It’s a process of recognizing these patterns and understanding their roots in your past experiences. By doing so, you gain the power to change them. We don’t assign blame or “get stuck” in what happened. We focus on exploring the insights needed to move forward in a healthier, more aligned way.
The ultimate goal of revisiting these past experiences is to reclaim control over your life. It allows you to shift from being unconsciously driven by past traumas to making conscious choices that support your well-being. As you integrate these insights, you’ll likely notice a profound transformation not only in your emotional health but also in your relationship with yourself. This is especially true for those healing from Complex PTSD (CPTSD). This change is really what the heart of healing is. A place where you’re no longer defined by your past, but are free to create a future that reflects who you truly are and who you want to be.
#5: Enhanced Communication with Others
Entering into somatic therapy not only tunes you into yourself but also helps you in how you relate to others. It emphasizes how to be so in sync with your own emotions and body cues that you naturally start seeing and understanding people on a whole new level. As you become more authentic with yourself, you naturally become more authentic with everyone else, too! Your relationships will go through a significant upgrade because you’re showing up as the genuine you.
This clarity about your own state also enhances your ability to read others. You start picking up on the subtle cues—the non-verbal signals that speak volumes. But you’re doing this in a way that isn’t rooted in a trauma response. It’s a way of actually being present with others, making interactions more genuine and fulfilling. You’re no longer just reacting or constantly scanning, but you’re responding with intention. This changes your personal and professional life. Communication becomes clearer, misunderstandings decrease, and your connections deepen because you’re truly present. Not lost in translation or old patterns
As you become more comfortable with your own inner world, you naturally become more accepting and compassionate towards yourself. This self-compassion spills over into your relationships. It creates a safe environment where vulnerability isn’t just tolerated but actually welcomed. You and your loved ones begin supporting each other in more meaningful ways. This means moving through life not just with more insight but with a heart that’s open, understanding, and connected. Sounds cheesy, but that’s the power of somatic therapy—it helps enrich every relationship in your life. Including the relationship you have with yourself!
Meet Cheryl Groskopf, LMFT, LPCC
offering somatic therapy in West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and surround areas
I’m Cheryl Groskopf, a somatic therapist in Los Angeles who specializes in anxiety, trauma, CPTSD and attachment wounds. My approach isn’t about sticking strictly to a script. Instead, I’ll help you dive deep, challenge norms, and guide you through the transformative process of understanding and healing. I utilize a blend of somatic therapy, incorporating holistic techniques and Internal Family Systems (IFS),. This isn’t just to address symptoms but to understand and explore the root causes of your struggles.
My work is tailored to individuals prepared to explore and change the subconscious patterns dictating their lives. This involves a direct, engaged partnership where we dive into the origins and purposes of your anxiety. We then translate insights into actionable change. The goal? To empower you to live the life you desire, and to liberate you from the heavy chains of past traumas and current anxieties.
I utilize an approach that is both directive and collaborative. The focus is on creating a safe space where you can explore your inner world, understand how your brain and body interact, and learn to navigate life with renewed confidence and clarity. If you’re ready to start on this journey, to feel secure in your body and life, and to finally address the roots of your discomfort, let’s get started. Together, we’ll progress towards the life you’ve been striving for, supported by genuine, lasting change.
Work With A Somatic Therapist in Los Angeles
Ready to explore the Mind-body Connection?
Ready to take the first step towards healing and empowerment? If you’re in Los Angeles and seeking a path to better understand and navigate your anxiety, trauma, or attachment insecurities, let’s connect. My practice revolves around providing you with the tools and insights needed to transform your relationship with yourself and those around you. By utilizing a blend of somatic therapy, holistic approaches, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), we’ll collaborate to unearth the roots of your challenges and work towards genuine, lasting change.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed by anxiety, or burdened by the weight of past traumas, there’s a path forward. I’m here to guide you through it, with a direct and engaged approach tailored to your unique journey. Let’s explore the possibilities together and start on a path towards healing, resilience, and a more fulfilling life.
