Psychotherapy with a somatic approach for anxiety, trauma, and people-pleasing
And yet:
You look like you have it together, but inside, something isn’t working.
Many of the struggles you’re facing today make sense when you understand where they came from. Old patterns often continue long after they’re needed.
Together, we’ll bring these patterns into awareness, create new experiences, and help you feel more grounded, confident, and connected to yourself.
Hello. I’m Heidi Elias, LCSW, SEP.
For more than 30 years, I’ve helped adults understand how early experiences continue to influence their relationships, their choices, and the way they treat themselves.
By combining trauma-informed psychotherapy with Somatic Experiencing®, we’ll begin to understand what’s been keeping you stuck while helping you feel more grounded, regulated, and in control of your responses.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. Over time, you’ll build the understanding and skills to trust yourself more, create healthier relationships, and learn to be on your own side.
I welcome adults of all genders, races, sexual orientations, backgrounds, and identities.
Many of today’s struggles have deeper roots than you may realize. Learn how childhood trauma, anxiety, and people-pleasing are connected, and discover how healing is possible.
Childhood trauma continues to affect your emotions, relationships, and sense of safety long after the experiences have ended. Therapy helps you feel more grounded, resilient, and at ease in your daily life.
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, even when you know you’re safe. Learning to work with your nervous system, not just your thoughts, can help you feel grounded when triggered.
Growing up feeling that your emotions didn’t matter, or that love is earned, can lead to people-pleasing patterns that continue into adulthood, affecting your self-worth and relationships.
Healing often involves more than understanding why you struggle. By combining trauma-informed psychotherapy with Somatic Experiencing®, we’ll work with both your emotional understanding and your nervous system.
My Healing Patterns Therapy approach helps identify recurring emotional and relationship patterns rooted in earlier experiences. Recognizing these patterns creates opportunities to better understand yourself and have corrective experiences in the present.
To support change beyond our sessions, I’ll introduce practical tools from my Empowerment Toolbox to help you cultivate a more grounded, compassionate relationship with yourself and practice healthier self-care.
BRIEF PHONE CALL
A brief phone conversation gives us a chance to discuss what brings you to therapy and answer any initial questions.
ZOOM CONSULTATION
If it seems like I can be helpful, I’ll invite you to a complimentary 20-minute Zoom consultation. This gives us an opportunity to meet and see whether we’re a good fit to work together.
FIRST THERAPY SESSION
If we decide to move forward, we’ll begin working together at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-based approach to trauma therapy that helps regulate the nervous system and resolve the lingering effects of trauma. Rather than focusing only on thoughts and emotions, Somatic Experiencing helps you notice physical sensations and develop greater resilience, regulation, and emotional well-being.
Trauma-informed therapy focuses less on “What is wrong with you?” and more on “What happened to you?” It recognizes how past experiences can shape your emotions, beliefs, behaviors, relationships, and nervous system. Therapy provides a safe and supportive space to understand these patterns and create lasting change.
Many adult struggles, including anxiety, self-criticism, relationship difficulties, difficulty trusting yourself, chronic stress, and challenges with boundaries, can stem from unresolved childhood experiences. Often people do not realize that their current struggles may be connected to how they were treated earlier in life.
Yes. Therapy can help you understand why you prioritize the needs of others, fear disappointing people, or struggle to speak up for yourself. As you develop healthier boundaries and greater self-trust, it becomes easier to make choices that reflect your own needs and values.
If you wish to review how I work in more detail, check out my [Services page].
I offer psychotherapy sessions virtually. Over time, I have found that accessibility, consistency, and privacy are essential to this work.
Sessions take place through a secure, HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform. Many people find that meeting from a private, familiar space supports focus and ease, and makes it easier to engage consistently in therapy.
You can call me at +1-646-828-6300, email me at info@heidielias.com or book a call with me directly through the website. If you leave a voicemail or send an email, I will respond within two business days.
The first step is a brief phone conversation. If it feels appropriate to continue, I will invite you to a complimentary 20-minute Zoom consultation so we can explore whether this work is a good fit.
If you wish to review how I work in more detail, check out my [Services page].
Have more questions? Give me a call at (646) 828-6300 or email me at info@heidielias.com.
“Working with Heidi brought me to a very solid place in my life.”
“I would not be where I am today without the work I’ve done with Heidi.”
“Heidi’s ability to truly listen and care is what makes her such a fantastic therapist.”
“She’s helped me stand up for myself and to not overthink my decisions.”
“Heidi always made me feel comfortable by being genuine, present, warm and non-judgmental.”
If what you’ve read resonates with you, I’d be happy to answer your questions and discuss how therapy may help.
