Why Sentire Therapy?
Sentire, pronounced sen-tee-reh, is a latin word that means "to feel" or "to sense".
It is to perceive and understand ourselves and the world through our senses...
Sensations are the language for emotions in our body.
And so when we become more aware of and attuned to what we are sensing in the present moment, we are better able to regulate and process our feelings in a way that does not lead to
emotional stagnancy or suppression, tension, chronic stress, or unbearable overwhelm.
How does this relate to trauma?
Trauma can be described as any overwhelming experience that causes significant distress and an inability to cope, leading to lasting harmful effects on a person's mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.
These experiences can bring up intense physical sensations and overwhelming emotions,
and if there was not a space to process these feelings safely, our body may hold onto the story of that event
and feel "stuck". This is how disconnection from our sense of self can unfold when we experience trauma
as the sensations and emotions, which are felt in the body, are perceived as too overwhelming;
our nervous system will also continue to protect us from these feelings in order to survive and still live in life.
Somatic-based approaches are therefore the key when it comes to trauma therapy...
Because trauma is something that happens in the body (soma),
working with the mind and our thoughts alone is not enough to safely process our experiences.
This means that within the therapy space, the therapist will invite moments of bringing awareness to the body to notice sensations and feelings as they are arising in the present,
in order to understand patterns that may still be "stuck" in the nervous system and body.
Through this journey, we learn to build our capacity to be with sensations and find a sense of safety
around processing the emotions we did not get an opportunity to process at the time of the trauma.
Sentire Therapy Approaches
Trauma-Informed & Somatic-Based Support
Therapy here is guided by the understanding that our bodies hold lived experience. Together, we gently explore sensations, emotional cues, and nervous system patterns to build safety, regulation, and resilience. This is not about reliving trauma — it is about creating space for healing at a pace that feels supportive, grounded, and empowering.
Nervous System Regulation
Regulation is central to wellbeing. By integrating tools that help you understand and support your nervous system,
including breathwork, grounding techniques, movement, and strategies to reduce overwhelm and burnout,
you can cultivate a greater sense of internal stability and capacity.
Attachment & Relational Work
Trauma so often has a relational element to it (such as through emotional needs or support not having been available).
The journey of trauma-informed therapy therefore cannot miss the importance of attachment work by understanding how early life experiences and/or traumatic events may still be impacting your sense of safety within interpersonal relationships. By bringing curiosity around relational patterns within the therapeutic space, we can become more aware of our patterns outside of the therapy room, and build a deeper sense of awareness in order to create more meaningful connections.
Inner Child & Shadow Work
Many present-day challenges are rooted in earlier experiences of disconnection or unmet needs which can lead to a fragmentation in our sense of self. Through inner child or shadow work, we explore parts that may be unconsciously or subconsciously narrating your life. By inviting curiosity and gentle exploration towards these parts, we work toward understanding, processing, and integrating these internal layers and finding a more secure and authentic sense of self.
Self-Compassion
Compassion is not an easy, though very important, part when it comes to trauma work. By bringing compassionate inquiry into the therapeutic space, we can support the journey of building a more nurturing relationship with yourself.
Psychodynamic Exploration
Unconscious patterns often shape how we move through the world. Using a psychodynamic lens, we explore your relational history, attachment patterns, and internal narratives to understand how past experiences may be influencing current behaviour, relationships, and emotional responses.
CBT & DBT-informed Techniques
When helpful, the therapy journey will also bring in practical, skills-based strategies from Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). These approaches support you in developing coping skills, reframing unhelpful thoughts, improving emotional regulation, and strengthening communication and boundaries.
Spiritually-Aligned Approaches
When appropriate and if you feel drawn to it, therapy here may also invite a safe space to explore spiritually-oriented perspectives — such as meaning-making, intuition, life purpose, and the energetics of healing.