FAQs

Why Songbird?

In ecology, songbirds are often used as indicator species — their presence, migratory patterns, nesting and mating habits can indicate an ecosystem’s health and biodiversity. They are highly sensitive to environmental changes like pollution and habitat fragmentation. “Canary in a coal mine” is a common turn of phrase that reflects the songbird’s sensitivity.

Small in size and without means of substantial physical defense, the songbirds’ most effective survival response is flight. Somatically, ADHD is often viewed as a strong patterning of flight-response coupled with freeze. Holly has observed this disposition in herself and many of her students and peers, especially in individuals who are small in physical size and for those who grew up in environments where they didn’t feel safe to express emotion or be their full selves. She believes that the voice is a powerful tool both for self-soothing and coming into one’ s full power and autonomy. Holly hopes to work with other ‘songbirds’ types to embrace their unique gifts and dispositions to build a life their honors and protects their sensitivities. 

What is Somatic Experiencing?

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What is Somatic Coaching?

Somatic Coaching helps individuals get out of their heads and more into their bodies, emotions, and animal impulses. It is excellent for people who want to find more pleasure, authenticity, and flow in their daily lives, relationships and creative pursuits.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, Holly may nudge clients away from the ‘story’ and into the sensation in their bodies. Because this can be highly activating for some people, we move slowly and take ample time to orient to our environment and find resources that can support us. We may also utilize art making, vocalization, archetypal imagery or movement to help titrate the experience. Holly is carefully tracking the client’s body and during a session and looking for signs of activation and completion in nervous system.

During a session, we may explore into something ‘activating,’ and see if any survival energy wants to move or complete in the body. If it is subtle, we may take time to let it build, OR, if it is intense, we may slow things down and move towards more grounded sensation in the body. As we work with more activating events over time, the nervous system may begin to move out of chronic states of Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn, often freeing up energy in the system for presence, creativity and connection.

All the while, Holly stays incredibly attuned to the needs of her client and will continually check in to see if things are landing, missing, or need to pivot. Her approach is transparent and highly consensual. You can always opt out, say no, or pivot.

Holly’s approach is playful, intuitive, and connected to what is alive in the moment. She holds a safe, nonjudgmental container to explore sensations and impulses of all kinds, and gently guides her clients between noticing what is both pleasant and uncomfortable in their bodies to help build capacity in the nervous system for working more directly with traumatic events. While she is committed to helping her clients accomplish their goals, she doesn’t force an agenda and prefers to allow for a gentle unfolding in sessions that mirrors the sense of flow and ease she hopes to help people achieve in their lives, work and relationships.

How long will we work together?

Somatic Coaching is deliberately slow and titrated, as diving into too much sensation or difficult memories too quickly can re-traumatize an individual. Because of this, Holly prefers to work with clients for a set amount of time.

She currently offers 2 styles of container for Somatic Experiencing:

  • 4 sessions, weekly or bi-weekly

  • 8 sessions, weekly or bi-weekly

We will discuss during our consult call and initial session which container might best fit your needs.

Follow-up sessions for further integration are always available.

Who is this for?

Somatic Coaching is safest and most effective for individuals that have existing mental health support and/or are looking to bring more embodiment, freedom and creativity in their lives. Holly is not a mental health professional and is not equipped to work with those in crisis or to treat severe mental-health issues. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, below are some resources that may support you. 

Holly is passionate about helping individuals that have been systematically or personally disenfranchised to access their self-protective fight energy and embody compassionate yet firm boundaries. She especially hopes this work reaches survivors of sexual assault and narcissistic abuse, as well as neurodivergent individuals. She is committed to making her work safe and accessible BIPOC, queer and trans individuals.

She works with both adults and children (minors must have a parent or guardian present during sessions).

She offers 1-to-1 sessions on Zoom, or in person in New Orleans LA.

Stay tuned for future group workshops and offerings!