Candy Smith

COMPASSIONATE COUNSELING

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Somatic Experiencing™ (SE®) Practitioner

Registered Play Therapist / Supervisor

I help clients find their way through the chaotic symptoms

that occur in the aftermath of emotional distress and trauma.

Check Out Candy's Blog

What is Somatic Experiencing ™ ?

Somatic Experiencing, or SE® for short, is a method of releasing stress and trauma that gets “stuck” in the body. SE utilizes the latest research on the connection between the brain and the body. When we become stressed by an overwhelming life event, a traumatic incident, or a mentally tough situation, our brains tell our bodies to either run, fight, or freeze, otherwise known as flight / fight / freeze.

Dr. Peter Levine, the originator of Somatic Experiencing, has helped us to understand that we are not biologically designed to live in today's stress-filled society. In many ways, our brains have not evolved since prehistoric times, so our nervous systems react to overwhelming situations as if we were being chased by a saber-toothed tiger. During the stress of a traumatic event such as a car accident or physical or mental abuse, our brains tell our bodies to run, fight, or freeze. Even in the stress of a big test, sleeplessness, or just friends who are not being nice, our bodies go through a stress response similar to being chased in the wild. When the brain sends a message to run or fight, all the blood rushes from our brains to our extremities so we can escape danger. But since running or fighting doesn’t make logical sense to us, we stifle all of that energy, and it gets trapped inside the body. We know that trauma is physiological energy, a sort of cloud of trapped energy inside of us, that can cause all kinds of symptoms.

In this video, Candy explains how she uses Somatic Experiencing™ and Play Therapy to help a

child find resolution and relief

from bullying. A counselor's understanding of how these two therapy modalities work together is pivotal for guiding people through the chaotic symptoms that can occur in the aftermath of distress and trauma.

“I help my clients learn healthy ways to tap into and connect with their own natural ability to heal and grow.”

About Candy Smith

Candy earned her Masters Degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling at California State University, Fullerton in 1993. She specializes in working with adults, children, adolescents, and their families and helps them with psychological overwhelm and trauma healing. She is a Registered Play Therapist, a Somatic Experiencing™ Practitioner and a Certified Yoga Instructor.

Candy Smith's background helps her understand how Somatic Experiencing and Play Therapy enhance one another. She combines both therapies in her practice to help children and adults find their way through their individual traumas.

Clients are not broken people with broken minds from Candy's point of view. With 20 years of experience as a therapist working in partnership with her clients, Candy believes all people have everything they need within them to move towards healing. She sees courage in each and every person and believes that with Somatic Experiencing, people can transform their lives.

With empathic listening and compassion, Candy works gently without bias, judgment, or condemnation to help her clients move toward ease and wholeness.

Peter A. Levine, Ph.D.

is the originator and

developer of Somatic

Experiencing® and the

Director of The Somatic

Experiencing Trauma

Institute. He holds

doctorate degrees in

Medical Biophysics and in

Psychology. During his thirty five-year study of stress and trauma, Dr. Levine has contributed to a variety of scientific and popular publications.

Dr. Levine was a stress consultant for NASA during the development of the Space Shuttle, and has taught at treatment centers, hospitals and pain clinics throughout the world, as well as at the Hopi Guidance Center in Arizona. He was a member of The Institute of World Affairs Task Force of “Psychologists for Social Responsibility” and served on the APA “Presidential Initiative on responding to large scale disasters and ethno-political warfare”. He is a Senior Fellow at The Meadows Trauma and Addiction Treatment Center in Wickenburg, Arizona.

Dr. Levine's best selling book, Waking the Tiger; Healing Trauma, is published in 20 languages.

from:

http://www.traumahealing.com/somatic-experiencing/peter-levine.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Somatic Experiencing™ ?

Somatic means “of the body.” SE® is a method of releasing stress and trauma that gets “stuck” in the body. When we become stressed by an overwhelming life event of some kind, our brains tell our bodies to either run, fight, or freeze. Since running or fighting doesn’t usually make sense to us, we stifle all of that energy, and it gets trapped inside the body. Under these conditions, Dr. Peter Levine’s research shows that a trauma event creates a physiological energy which, unless released, can cause problematic symptoms.

What is the goal of Somatic Experiencing?

The goal of Somatic Experiencing is to regulate the nervous system through the use of sensations, imagery behaviors, emotion and meaning. This method is designed to restore resilience and reconnect the body's inner wisdom, which moves naturally toward balance.

What is the cancellation, or missed appointment policy?

24 hour notice is required for all cancellations. Failure to cancel within that time frame results in a full session fee charge.

Do you take insurance?

No, but an invoice will be sent to you with everything you need to submit to your insurance company.

How much are sessions?

Rates are based on the length of the session:

50 minutes - $175

90 minutes - $250

120 minutes - $300

What are your hours?

Typically, Candy sees clients Monday through Friday, from 8 am until 6 pm. Occasionally, Saturday morning is available for those who have hectic work schedules. If you have a counseling emergency, please call Johnson County Mental Health Center at 913-831-2550, or the Crisis Line at 913-384-3535.

Are telephone or Skype sessions available if I am not able to make an appointment in person?

Yes, Candy does both Skype or FaceTime sessions.

What is the work process?

As an Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Candy practices psychotherapy that is on the leading edge of current research in the field of psychology. She takes a neurobiological approach to treating psychological distress and its manifestations.

Will I get better?

Most people report feeling hope after their first session and continue to shift toward healing and growth over time. Of course, therapy is a very individual process, and in partnership with Candy, close attention is paid to the shifts and changes in your sense of well being.

Do you work with children, families, or couples?

Yes for all three; Candy sees children as young as 3 and loves working with families. With her current PACT Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy training, Candy is enjoying integrating couples into her practice.