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-trained somatic practitioner and the founder of Back To Your Body. I’m based in Southeast Asia and 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 generational trauma.
When working with early developmental and attachment trauma, I integrate elements of Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP), NeuroAffective Touch, applied Polyvagal Theory and somatic parts work based on Internal Family Systems (IFS).
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’m also an approved Beginning level personal session provider and assistant at Somatic Experiencing professional trainings with Somatic Experiencing International, supporting students in learning and applying the principles of SE.
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-200) through Rishikesh Yogkulam with continuing education in functional anatomy and the mental health approach
Masters in Research (MRes) in Choreography and Performance, Roehampton University, London, UK
Selected 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 Complex Trauma with Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS) with 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 online. You can learn more about the method I use in my sessions here.
Step 1:
Fill out the New Client Application Form. Once I receive your form, I’ll send you my calendar link to book your first session.
Step 2:
Watch the video below to prepare for our first session and to learn what to expect.
Step 3:
Schedule and attend your first short online session. The cost is 45 euros for a 30-minute session. In this 30-minute 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 detailed Intake Form and details on how to arrange further sessions online.
FAQ
At this point, I’m only offering somatic therapy sessions online/ virtually.
My current rates are:
45 euros for the first half-hour online session;
90 euros for a single one-hour session or
255 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 small shifts usually start show up from the first session.
Have further questions?
Please get in touch with any questions you may have. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.