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Somatic Work for Big Changes


 I am making some big changes in my personal life. I gave my notice and I am leaving my 9-5 agency job to return to private practice as a therapist. I’ve been here before, but this time it’s different. I have been doing some somatic work and really learning how to support my nervous system this time around so that I can make this sustainable. 

First I got clear on what I wanted my life to look and feel like. I want slow mornings. I want mid-day walks with my dog. I want to be at every single practice and game and event my kid has. I want vacation and time off. I want to pay my bills and have some fun money. I want a slower pace. I want daytime hours.  I want to feel excited by my work. I want to feel peace and a slower pace. I want to feel financially comfortable.

After I really tuned into how my ideal day would look and feel. I worked backwards to figure out how that could work on a practical and logistical level.

I am going to work 8-4. I am going to schedule time between my sessions to be able to eat, go to the bathroom, and long lunches to walk my dog. I am going to only see my clients remotely because this allows me to be a better wife and mom. I planned my number of sessions around how much money I want to make. I planned 4 weeks of vacation and holiday time, built in. I planned to keep my Fridays as they currently are and only work half days. I reserved space to do gender affirming surgery letter writing- one of my favorite parts of my current role and to stand solidly in my values as a provider. I raised my cash pay rates to match my years of experience and additional certifications. I am also going to be picky about the clients I take. Ones that fit into my areas of expertise and are a good match for my skills. Saying no thank you to clients that aren’t a good match has lead to more space for clients that are aligned.

Before these things would have sent me into a guilt spiral. I felt I had to take insurance (I still do), offer evening spots, and I felt terrible for taking time off. I kept my fees low to “make therapy accessible” and overloaded my schedule to make ends meet. This left me feeling taken advantage of, burnt out, and resentful. This came to a head when I lost my Dad in February of 2021. I was only able to take 2 full days off of work because I couldn’t afford more time. When you work for yourself, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. I wasn’t able to take space and grieve properly. After this I felt I needed a “regular” job that had benefits and that it was the only way to be ok. I LOVE my 9-5 agency job, but if I’m being honest, I’m not meant to work for someone else. It doesn’t work for me.

Somatic work has helped me to know that I can achieve the kind of life I want while in private practice. Using my imagination I was able to really feel into how I want my days to go. Each time I have a moment of those feelings I am pointing them out to myself and letting myself know that not only is it possible, but it’s already happening. This is how I know this time I will be able to thrive. 


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