Elena Jacinta – Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
The founder:
Elena Jacinta
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
Helping women make peace with their bodies, nervous system and their past
Hi, I’m Elena Jacinta, a trauma-informed somatic practitioner based in Chiang Mai, Thailand and a founder of Back To Your Body Somatic Therapy. I support women on their healing journey, guiding them back home to themselves and their bodies through Somatic Experiencing ® (SE).
My Story
I was born in Latvia and spent 15 years of my life as a professional dance artist, touring and teaching across Europe. During my time in London, I discovered somatic practices based on the Body-Mind Centering ® approach. However, it wasn’t until my body collapsed after a series of highly stressful events and a burnout that I truly appreciated the subtle healing power of these body-mind tools.
At that time, I was dealing with numerous psychosomatic symptoms that seemed to have no apparent cause, so I started to research the impact of chronic stress and trauma on the nervous system. That’s when I also began to study the body-oriented approach to healing, also known as the “bottom-up” approach.
It became clear to me that understanding trauma and the nervous system was the missing piece in my recovery puzzle. This knowledge, along with trauma-informed somatic tools and therapy has been invaluable for me on my own healing journey. And this is the knowledge and tools that I use with my clients, many of whom, just like me, have tried almost everything in search of relief.
My Specialty
My area of expertise is working with women with developmental trauma (that stems from the mother’s womb and early childhood) and offering support in healing attachment wounds.
I also enjoy supporting women reclaim their bodies after shock trauma (including giving birth, surgeries, accidents, assaults etc.) and offering guidance in healing transgenerational or ancestral trauma.
When working with early developmental and attachment trauma, I integrate elements of Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP), NeuroAffective Touch, applied Polyvagal Theory, somatic parts work based on Internal Family Systems (IFS), etc.
My Experience
My practice is rooted in over 20 years of working with the body through movement – initially as a dance artist, later as a yoga facilitator, and currently as a trauma-informed somatic practitioner. Apart from working one-on-one with clients, I also assist at Somatic Experiencing trainings, and teach the principles of trauma-informed somatics to groups.
Qualifications and professional titles:
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), 3-years professional training program through Somatic Experiencing International (formerly Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute)
Certified yoga teacher (CYT-300) specializing in functional anatomy and the mental health approach
Masters in Research (MRes) in Choreography and Performance, Roehampton University, London, UK
Additional specialty masterclasses and courses:
Somatic Therapy for Attachment and Developmental Trauma with Abi Blakeslee
Attachment, Trauma and Sexuality; Restoring Resilience and Healthy Sexuality with Ariel Giaretto
Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP) for Developmental Trauma: Pre/ Perinatal and Early Developmental Stages with Raja Selvam
NeuroAffective Touch: A Somatic Toolkit for Healing Emotional & Relational Trauma with Aline LaPierre
Treating Trauma with Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) with Alexia Rothman, Nancy Sowell, and Frank Anderson;
Integrating Internal Family Systems Therapy and Polyvagal Theory with Alexia Rothman
Putting Polyvagal Theory Into Practice: Essential Strategies for Creating Safety and Connection With Trauma Clients with Deb Dana
* Please note that I’m not a counselor, psychologist, psychotherapist, physician, or other licensed health care provider. So I do not provide any medical or psychological advice, opinion, treatments or diagnosis.
Work With Me
I work with women and I’m accepting clients for somatic therapy both online and in person. You can learn more about the method I use in my sessions here.
Step 1:
Watch the video below to prepare for our first session and to learn what to expect.
Step 2:
Schedule your first short online session. The cost is 40 euros for a 30-minute session. You can book this session using the calendar below
Step 3:
Attend your first session online. In this 30-minute intake session you’ll experience the somatic process and will get a sense of how I work and if it suits you. We’ll also clarify your goals and desired outcomes and I will advise you on the next steps.
Step 4:
Receive my intake form and details on how to arrange further sessions online or in person.
FAQ
I understand that you may prefer to meet in person, instead of online. Indeed, working in person can be a deeper experience. However, my short online session is an important part of building a successful therapeutic relationship. It allows us to start working slowly, in a ‘titrated’ way, as we call it in Somatic Experiencing. It also helps to determine whether my approach suits you and whether I can support you the way you need. Therefore, this short online session cannot be skipped.
My current rates are:
40 euros for the first half-hour online session;
80 euros for a single one-hour session or
210 euros for a package of 3 sessions.
At the moment, I don’t offer discounts or a sliding scale.
It depends on the type of issue or concern that you would like to work through. For instance, minor single-event trauma or dysregulation will take much less time to address than chronic dysregulation, multiple traumas or developmental/ relational trauma. In general, I would allow at least 3 months of weekly sessions to attend to an issue or a portion of a bigger issue and then revise our progress. SE is relatively slow-paced but the process doesn’t need to last indefinitely.
Have questions?
Please get in touch with a few details about you and the kind of support you are looking for.