Joslyn Barajas
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
It feels like your body is constantly in a state of tension, as if you can’t escape the feeling that something is wrong. You’re exhausted from being on high alert all the time, yet you can’t seem to relax or feel at ease. No matter how much you talk about your experiences, it’s as if your body hasn’t gotten the message—it’s still holding onto the stress and fear. You might feel disconnected from yourself, like you’re just going through the motions without really being present. The idea of feeling safe and grounded seems distant, and you wonder if you’ll ever truly feel comfortable in your own skin again. Every day feels like a battle against the invisible weight of stress and trauma that you carry.
At Creating Space Therapy, our polyvagal-informed somatic therapy approach is rooted in understanding how the nervous system responds to trauma. When someone experiences distressing or overwhelming events, their body instinctively shifts into survival states—fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown. These responses, while protective in the moment, can become deeply ingrained patterns that make it difficult to feel safe, connected, and regulated.
Our therapy is designed to help clients reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and build a lasting sense of safety. Using the principles of Polyvagal Theory, we guide clients in recognizing how their nervous system shifts between survival and connection, and we offer tools to help restore balance, release stored tension, and foster resilience.
Through breathwork, mindful movement, co-regulation, and other body-based practices, we create a space where clients can explore how emotions are held in the body. This process allows them to gently process trauma, improve emotional regulation, and cultivate a sense of connection—with themselves and others. Our polyvagal-informed approach is not about pushing through discomfort but rather about working with the body's natural rhythms to create lasting healing and empowerment.
If you feel constantly on edge, physically drained, or disconnected from your body due to the lingering effects of grief and trauma, polyvagal-informed somatic therapy may offer the healing path you’ve been seeking. This approach helps regulate your nervous system, restore a sense of safety, and rebuild connection with yourself.
Focusing on your body might feel intimidating, especially if you’re disconnected from physical sensations or have experienced trauma. In somatic therapy, we move at your pace, starting with gentle techniques that prioritize your comfort. You’re always in control, and you never have to explore sensations you’re not ready for.
You may wonder if somatic therapy will be effective, especially if you’ve tried other therapies without success. Somatic therapy is an evidence-based approach that works by addressing trauma stored in the body. Many clients find it helpful when traditional talk therapy alone hasn’t resolved deeper issues. Your therapist will tailor the process to meet your unique needs.
It’s common to fear that exploring physical sensations might trigger overwhelming emotions. Somatic therapy is designed to be grounding and empowering. Techniques like deep breathing and mindful movement are used to help you stay present and regulate emotions safely.
If somatic therapy feels unfamiliar or abstract, know that your therapist will guide you every step of the way. They’ll explain the science behind the process and how it helps release tension and heal trauma, ensuring you feel informed and supported.
Have you ever wondered why you can understand your stress but still feel it in your bones? Maybe you tell yourself, I’m fine, but your body keeps clenching your jaw or […]
Trauma isn’t just something that happens to the mind—it lives in the body. You may logically understand that the past is over, yet your body still reacts as if the […]
The Polyvagal theory presents us with the “science of safety- the science of feeling safe enough to fall in love with life and take the risks of living” (Deb Dana, […]
