It Helps to Understand...

Somatic healing and nervous system regulation isn't about a certain "good" or "bad" feeling, rather it is about getting skilled at feeling. If you leave feeling "worse" it's not a failure, it's your nervous system realizing that in those session moments it was safe enough to feel. Healing begins when your system feels safe enough to do so. 

Safety is not just internal; it is relational. We thrive when safety is felt, acknowledged and mirrored in our relationships — this is fundamental in all sessions.

Your body already knows how to heal. Even feeling nothing or numbness is a sensation. Somatic healing offers the body a roadmap, the self trust and the built capacity to allow it and trust it to do so.

Trauma in the body is the physical, neurological, and physiological manifestation of overwhelming, unprocessed stress that lingers after a dangerous or distressing event. In somatic healing you don't "release" trauma, you expand your body's capacity to hold it, metabolize it and then integrate it with an empathic witness.

I am not a registered counsellor or psychologist. I am certified as a psychosomatic practitioner, a Registered Acupuncturist and Reiki Master. Only sessions that are combined with Acupuncture may be submitted to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Rates are listed on the service page, and if you are in a position where you need a sliding-scale payment option please email me to see if I have any openings. I aim to make services accessible to as many folks as I can.

Yes. My work is grounded in trauma-informed principles. This means we work at a pace that honours your nervous system, prioritizes safety, and never asks more of your body than it is ready for.

In a somatic therapy session, you'll find a safe space to explore the connection between your body and mind. We establish enough safety and regulation to support whatever unfolds during the session, and we end by returning to that same foundation. The sessions are not designed to go hunting for emotional intensity, rather allowing what's there to arise naturally. I may guide you through breathwork, movement and body scanning to increase awareness of physical sensations and emotions. Once a week for 4 weeks is generally a good amount of time to develop a safe therapeutic relational container to explore what's below the surface. Both in-person or online sessions have their benefits.

Experiences vary, but you could expect to feel relaxed, grounded, peace and warmth. Sometimes nothing may be felt in session, but then during integration throughout your week you may sense many shifts. Generally four sessions to are recommended to set a strong redirection of your chakras, but it's a process so there is no concrete number.

In a Reiki session I will share educational information about chakras, techniques to balance them, and offer reflective questions for integration, Ethically I find it impossible to remove any projections from information that comes to me during a session. I will support and invite all visions that come to you to be explored with curiosity, discernment and a sense of trust in your body's wisdom.

Due to the thinness of the needles, you can expect minimal pain, although some sensation will be felt. This sensation varies from person to person, as it is subjectively experienced. It reflects the needle's interaction with the Qi in the meridian. Common sensations include tingling, warmth, pulling, spiciness, and a feeling of release, all of which often lead to a sense of ease afterward.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing if possible. Most acupuncture points can be accessed by rolling sleeves or pant legs above the elbows and knees. If needed, draping is available so you remain comfortable and covered throughout your treatment.

Registered Acupuncture is covered by many extended health benefit plans. Coverage varies depending on your provider and plan. I recommend checking with your insurer before your first appointment. Direct billing is available for many providers.

Every person is different. Acute conditions may improve in only a few treatments, while chronic concerns often benefit from a series of sessions over several weeks. During your first visit we'll create a treatment plan based on your goals and how your body responds.

Yes. Many people enjoy combining acupuncture and Reiki in the same visit. Acupuncture supports the body's physiological healing processes, while Reiki offers an opportunity for deep rest and integration. The combination often creates a deeply restorative experience.

No referral is required to book an appointment. You can book directly online or contact me if you're unsure which service is the best fit.

YIN ESSENCE is located in downtown Victoria, BC at 560 Johnson Street, Suite 332. Free online booking is available for acupuncture, somatic therapy, and Reiki.