Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (ACCT Member - RTC #3270)
75 minute sessions in-person or online · Rates · FAQ

Who Somatic Therapy For?

Somatic therapy can be an empowering approach for anyone looking for a different path forward than traditional talk therapy.

Somatic therapy is for people who want to go beyond analyzing their behaviour and explore how their body is holding onto stress, trauma, and emotions.

My clients often come to me having already talked it through... but they're left feeling like there's still something that needs to be released or resolved. They don't want another reframe or journalling exercise - they want to feel differently.

They struggle with:

• Anxiety and overwhelm — racing thoughts, tight chest, restless body that won’t settle

• PTSD and trauma patterns — panic attacks, hypervigilance, shutdown, numbness, or cycles of re-living the past

• Chronic pain and tension — headaches, jaw clenching, shoulder and back pain that don’t seem to let go and is connected to stress.

• Burnout and exhaustion — caregivers, professionals, and parents who feel drained and disconnected from themselves

• Relationship strain — wanting to be more present and connected with loved ones, but feeling triggered or withdrawn instead

• Overthinking without relief — people who’ve read the books, done talk therapy, journaled, but still feel stuck.

If this sounds like you, somatic therapy offers a different way forward. Get started today by booking a free 20 minute telephone consultation.

PS. Somatic therapy isn't just for healing trauma. It's also about possibility, aliveness and your life force energy - reconnecting with what it feels like to be truly yourself.

"From the very first session, I felt a sense of safety & understanding that was deeply comforting.

Andree has a remarkable ability to listen without judgement... throughout our sessions, I've gained valuable tools to handle my anxiety and improve my life in all areas. Each appointment feels like a step forward in a journey of self-discovery and healing. I am immensely grateful for the gentle guidance and unwavering support I've received from Andree, and I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone seeking a path to better their mental health and enjoy life more."

client experience

What happens in a somatic therapy session?

Each somatic session is 75 minutes, giving us time to slow down. We begin by checking in with what’s present for you — not just your thoughts, but the sensations, movements, and impulses in your body.

You can bring a topic to work on: something that happened this week, a deeply held desire, or an ongoing frustration.

You don't have to be in crisis to explore somatic therapy. And sometimes, there's nothing on your mind you want to to 'work on.' In these moments, we have the distinct pleasure of exploring with no story, no 'reframes,' just exploration of energy, emotion and what it is like to be you in this present moment.

Together we will:

• Track sensations in real time (like tightness, warmth, shakiness, or numbness), supporting release of long-held emotions and trauma.

• Move at your pace, with full consent, adjusting as needed and prioritizing a felt sense of safety

• Help you read the patterns of energy, bracing, and movement that are wanting to be expressed

• Explore simple somatic practices to regulate your nervous system and explore what's held in the subconscious mind (and body)

• Explore resolution of the patterns that arise, without forcing or rushing

  
  

If you're coming in for trauma work, I want you to know that there’s no pressure to tell your whole story or revisit every detail of traumatic events.

I'm here to listen deeply and help you truly process, rather than continue patterns of overthinking and self-analysis.

If and when we do talk about what has happened, we do so in a way that respects your sensitivity and the timing of your body.

Together, we co-create a safe and reflective space for your body to process and shift in its own way. As clients process old emotions and survival responses that have been pushed down, they report feeling lighter, more empowered, more energized and more clear.

As clients process old emotions and survival responses that have suppressed for years, they often report feeling lighter, more empowered, more energized and clear.

Some somatic releases you can expect:

• Burping, yawning or sighing

• Sensations of tingling, hot or cold rushes

• a sense of unwinding in your body

• Emotional release, including crying or anger

• Shaking or trembling

• Feeling heavy or exhausted

• Feeling a deep sense of relief, joy or expansion

After our sessions, you may feel tired or drained, but often people report feeling lighter, clearer and more connected to themselves.

Integration is key - after our sessions, your homework is to rest, do something supportive for yourself, and let yourself be open to the changes as as your neural pathways re-pattern themselves!

When you create a relationship with your body, you can actually feel relief, connection, relaxation and presence - rather than giving yourself another to-do list of coping strategies.

Approaches
I Use

As a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) specializing in Relational Somatic Therapy, I integrate several approaches in my work:

• Relational Somatic Therapy (RST) — focusing on the body, emotions, and the therapeutic relationship as the ground for healing, my training includes a focus on trauma therapy and attachment work.

• Nervous System Mapping — identifying nervous system patterns and mapping where you feel stuck, so we can find new pathways forward

• Somatic Dreaming — guided imagery and embodied presence that supports deep rest, repair, and reconnection

• Clinical Somatic Exercises — gentle movement practices that retrain the brain-body connection and release long-held tension.

• Parts Work (Internal Family Systems, archetypes, inner child work) that help you understand yourself on a deeper level.

Every session is unique and collaborative, tailored to you. This is a responsive, body-led process. We're not focused on fixing you - instead you're creating a deep and profound relationship with yourself.

Why Work With Me

I’m Andree Patenaude, BA, RST, RTC (ACCT #3270) — a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor and Relational Somatic Therapist based in South Surrey. You can read more about my philosophy of care here.

What sets my work apart:

• Experience & training — I spent the first half of my career in community work and frontline harm reduction, supporting people from different walks of life. I also carry lived experience of trauma — and a personal understanding of how somatic therapy heals at the core.

• Intuition & integrity

  I have a depth of training in somatic work, which means I don't just ask "where do you feel that in your body?" - I help you track unfolding patterns of energy, impulse and symbolism. The processes I guide aren’t just concepts to me; I have both a deep energetic grasp of their mechanics and lived experience of their power.

  
  

• Depth & safety — I offer a grounded, compassionate space where collaboration is the priority. One of my gifts is intuitively understanding the deeper patterns that are presenting themselves through your body. Together we read and reflect on the patterns your body is presenting in the moment and help them to express and shapeshift.

  
  

• Session length that supports deep work — 75 minutes is enough time to go deeper without rushing. If your capacity is limited and you would prefer 60 minute sessions, please let me know and we will adjust.

  
  

• Whole-person approach — I prefer a non-pathologizing approach that weaves together body, mind, and spirit in a way that honours your story and resilience. Even clients who have done decades of therapy say they have never experienced themselves in this way before.
  

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Together we will help you move into a fuller sense of yourself: feeling present, alive and connected.

In-Person Sessions in South Surrey

My office is located at:

#102 – 3237 King George Blvd, South Surrey, BC

• Easy access from Surrey, South Surrey, and White Rock

• Ground-level, accessible space with nearby parking

• A quiet, calming environment designed for deep work

• For those traveling by transit, buses along King George Blvd stop nearby

If you’re not local or prefer to meet from home, I also offer online sessions across Canada.

For international clients, please inquire about Somatic Coaching packages.

👉 Ready to take the first step? Click here to book a free 20 minute telephone consultation.

"Thank you Andree, for offering such a compassionate heart felt open space for me to enter into with you.

And for the guidance that you offered me, into a deeper body awareness of the emotions that I had been hanging on to. Those moments were so healing and helpful. What you have taught me through these somatic sessions, has become a resource for me when I'm needing to check in with myself, guiding me back into my breath and body, back into my relationship with my body, back into a relationship with myself. From my heart to yours, Thank you.”

client experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer in-person sessions in South Surrey / White Rock?
Yes — at my South Surrey office (#102 – 3237 King George Blvd). People often say my office is a cozy and calm sanctuary, and it's right off King George for easy access from Surrey or Langley.

Can I work with you online?
Absolutely. I offer HIPAA-compliant secure video sessions through Janeapp. Many of my clients prefer online sessions, and you can do them from the comfor of your own home (or bed!)

How long are sessions, and what do they cost?
Sessions are 75 minutes. The current rate is $157.50 CAD including GST. Please inquire about reduced package rates if you plan to book 6 or more sessions. I have limited space for sliding-scale clients (currently full).

Is somatic therapy covered by insurance?
For work in BC or across Canada - Many extended health plans cover Registered Therapeutic Counsellors (RTC). Please confirm with your provider. For clients outside of Canada, please inquire about somatic coaching packages.

Do I need to talk about all the details of my trauma?
No, you can share as much or as little as you like. We focus on what your body is ready to work with now, and you are always in control of what you share.

What if I don’t feel safe in my body?
That’s okay. We go gently. We start with simple practices for safety and regulation. You set the pace.

How many sessions will I need?
Everyone is different, but I suggest starting with 6 sessions. Some people feel shifts within a few sessions; others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll talk about what feels right for you. 3 sessions is perfect for an introduction to somatic work, 6 sessions is perfect to feel the shifts occurring in your day-to-day life. 12 sessions or more is ideal for shapeshifting into a new experience of yourself. Please note: trauma has it's own timeline - we never rush or push.

Do you touch clients in sessions?
Somatic therapy is primarily awareness-based. Physical touch is not required, and if it’s ever part of a session, it’s only with explicit consent. For example, I might offer support by sitting beside you with our arms touching, or with my feet on top of your feet for grounding.

Is your office accessible?
Unfortunately at this time my office is not wheelchair accessible. There is a small set of 8 stairs leading up to the entrance. If you like, we can do online sessions from the comfort of your own home.

👉 Ready to take the first step? Book a free 20 minute consult here.