Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as traditional therapy?

Core Energetics is a body-centered, therapeutic process originally conceived by psychiatrist John Pierrakos, M.D. It draws on the framework of psychology while using somatic methods to explore what talk alone often can’t reach. I am a Certified Core Energetics Practitioner, not a licensed mental health clinician. I do not diagnose, prescribe medication, or provide medical treatment plans. For those services, a licensed mental health or medical professional is the appropriate resource.

What does a session actually involve?

This is active work, and you’re invited to take part in your own change. Typically, a session follows this structure:

1. Arrive & Attune: We begin by slowing down and noticing what is present for you, including physical sensations, breath, emotions, or energy.

2. Choose a Focus: Together, we identify what you want to work with. This might be a relationship, emotion, recurring pattern, thought, or physical experience.

3. Explore: We talk about what is happening and notice how it shows up in your body. I may invite you to pay attention to a sensation, posture, breath pattern, or impulse.

4. Work With the Body: We may use movement, breathwork, vocal expression, or other physical practices to explore your experience more fully. This can help bring greater awareness to patterns of protection, emotion, and response.

5. Integrate: We reflect on what you noticed and consider what it means for you moving forward. As patterns become more visible, you can begin to recognize where you have choice in how you respond.

Every session is different. This structure is a starting point, and the work follows what is present for you.

Can I do this work virtually?

Not in the Richmond area? Virtual sessions offer a flexible way to experience Core Energetics from wherever you are. The work and overall session structure remain the same as in-person sessions.

For some sessions, I may ask you to have a few simple items nearby to support the work, such as a yoga mat, towel, foam roller, or tennis balls. I’ll let you know ahead of time what you may need, and nothing requires special equipment or a significant investment.

I've already done years of therapy. Why would this be different?

You may already understand your patterns, where they come from, and why you respond the way you do. Core Energetics offers another way to work with them by exploring how they show up in your body, how you protect yourself, and where you have room for greater choice.

You don't have to start over. Core Energetics can offer another layer of exploration, moving from understanding your patterns to experiencing and relating to them differently.