Somatic Therapy in Nashville, TN
Somatic therapy in Nashville helps you work with your nervous system, not just your thoughts, when stress or trauma still shows up in your body. If you feel tense, on edge, shut down, or unable to fully relax even when life is “fine,” this gentle body-based approach can help you feel safer, steadier, and more at home in yourself.
Trauma-informed care with a licensed clinician.
Kara Guindin, LCSW, PMH-C offers body-based therapy grounded in nervous system regulation and Somatic Experiencing principles.
"Kara is a gifted therapist who has expertise and well-developed skills in healing trauma and supporting her clients’ wellness and growth. In the 7+ years I’ve known her, I’ve considered Kara to be one of those therapists who just “gets it” - which is a gift for her clients and colleagues!"— Madeline Moulton
What is Somatic Therapy?
Somatic therapy is a body-based approach that helps you understand and gently shift what your nervous system is carrying.
When we have lived through overwhelming experiences, our bodies can stay stuck in protective patterns like fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown, even when the danger has passed.
In somatic therapy, we pay attention to what your body is experiencing in real time, such as breath, tension, temperature, or a sense of activation, and learn how to create safety and regulation from the inside out. Kara’s approach is strongly informed by Somatic Experiencing (SE), which focuses on restoring a sense of safety, balance, and resilience through increased body awareness.
What Somatic Therapy Can Help With
Somatic therapy can be especially helpful when stress and trauma show up physically, including:
✦ Tight chest, racing heart, digestive tension, or chronic muscle tightness
✦ Feeling on edge, restless, or unable to relax
✦ Emotional overwhelm, anxiety, or panic sensations
✦ Feeling numb, shut down, or disconnected from yourself
✦ Trauma responses that feel automatic or hard to control
✦ Postpartum stress, anxiety, and overwhelm for new moms
✦ Chronic stress and burnout
✦ Difficulty feeling safe in your body after painful experiences
You do not need a single “big” event for somatic work to be useful. Many clients begin because their body is signaling that something needs care.
How Somatic Therapy Works
Somatic therapy focuses on small, manageable shifts that build real safety over time.
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We start by strengthening resources that help you feel steadier, such as breath, orienting, and grounding practices.
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You learn to track sensations like tension, warmth, tightness, or changes in breath, without forcing anything.
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Over time, your nervous system learns it can come out of survival mode. Many clients notice fewer triggers, less body tension, and an increased sense of calm and resilience.
What to Expect in a Session
Somatic therapy is not about reliving trauma or being pushed into intense experiences. Sessions are gentle, collaborative, and paced with care.
In a session, you might:
✦ Learn grounding skills to help your nervous system return to balance
✦ Notice small sensations and shifts, such as breath changes or areas of tension
✦ Explore how your body responds to stress, relationships, or specific memories
✦ Practice regulation tools you can use in daily life
Many clients describe feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to themselves over time.
Somatic Therapy with Kara Guindin, LCSW
Kara Guindin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Nashville, Tennessee who provides trauma-informed therapy with a strong focus on nervous system regulation and body-based healing. Her style is warm, grounded, and collaborative, with an emphasis on helping clients feel safe enough to gently explore what their body has been holding.
Kara frequently integrates Somatic Experiencing principles and may also incorporate other trauma-informed approaches depending on your needs and goals.
FAQs
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Yes. Somatic therapy is a gentle, client-led process. Sessions move at a pace that supports your nervous system, and you will not be pushed to relive trauma or go beyond what feels manageable.
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No. In Kara’s practice, sessions are talk- and awareness-based, focused on noticing sensations and nervous system shifts rather than physical touch.
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Yes. Somatic therapy can be effective over telehealth, including for clients across Tennessee. Many people find it supportive to do this work from the comfort of home.
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Trauma can leave the nervous system stuck in fight, flight, or freeze, even when the danger has passed. Somatic therapy supports the body’s natural healing responses so your system can reset, which can reduce anxiety, hypervigilance, and chronic tension over time.
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Somatic therapy can be helpful if you feel stuck, notice anxiety in your body (racing heart, tight chest), struggle with chronic stress, or feel disconnected from your body. It can also be supportive for new moms navigating postpartum stress and overwhelm.
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Both are trauma-focused. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help reprocess distressing memories, while somatic therapy focuses on body sensations and nervous system regulation to release stored survival responses. Many people find that both approaches complement each other.
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Most clients start weekly. Frequency can shift over time depending on goals and needs.
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Yes. Kara offers extended 80-minute sessions and also offers EMDR intensives for clients who want more concentrated work in a single day or a series of sessions.
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Wise Roots Therapy is an out-of-network provider, which means the practice is not directly contracted with insurance companies. Kara can assist with out-of-network billing, and you may be able to receive reimbursement depending on your plan. It’s recommended to check benefits directly with your insurance which you can easily do on the Services page.
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Cancellations, rescheduled sessions, and no-shows are subject to the full session fee if notice is not received at least 48 hours in advance. Arriving more than 15 minutes late is considered a no-show.
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Wise Roots Therapy is located in the Donelson neighborhood of Nashville, TN. Kara sees clients in person there and virtually throughout Tennessee.
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No. Kara does not prescribe medication, but can provide referrals to other professionals who can.
Begin Somatic Therapy in Nashville
If your body feels like it is still holding onto the past, somatic therapy can offer a gentle, supportive path toward more calm, safety, and resilience.