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Chicago, IL

When Understanding Yourself Isn't Creating Change

Online somatic therapy services for adults in Chicago, IL, specializing in anxiety, trauma, and midlife stress

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Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Badge for Illinois Licensed somatic therapist Amy Hagerstrom
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You may understand why you react the way you do, yet still find yourself getting overwhelmed, shutting down, or falling into the same patterns. Insight can be valuable, but it doesn't always create the kind of change you're hoping for.


Somatic therapy brings your body into the conversation. Along with exploring your thoughts and emotions, we pay attention to what's happening in your body in the present moment. This often helps uncover patterns that are difficult to reach through insight alone.

As you build greater awareness and capacity, many people find they become less reactive, recover more quickly after stressful moments, and move through life with greater flexibility and choice.

About Me

Portrait of Amy Hagerstrom, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner.

Hi, I'm Amy Hagerstrom. I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) providing online somatic therapy for adults throughout Illinois.

Although I now live in Florida, I spent many years living and working in Chicago and continue to feel closely connected to the people and community there.

Before discovering Somatic Experiencing, I spent many years in talk therapy. It helped me understand myself, but many of my reactions stayed the same. Including my body in the work changed that. I became less overwhelmed, less ashamed of my reactions, and began to understand that many of them made sense based on what I had been through.

That experience shapes how I work today. Together, we explore your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and what's happening in your body in the present moment.

If you're in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, I'd be honored to work with you.

What Brings People to Somatic Therapy

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Ready to explore whether somatic therapy is a good fit?

  • Anxiety, overwhelm, or feeling stuck in patterns you understand but can't seem to change.

  • Childhood experiences, relationship trauma, or a difficult event continue to affect how you feel, relate to others, or respond under stress.

  • Muscle tension, headaches, digestive discomfort, fatigue, or other physical symptoms that seem connected to stress.

  • Burnout, caregiving, relationship challenges, or a major life transition that has stretched your capacity.

  • Harsh self-criticism, shame, or feeling disconnected from yourself.

  • The ways you've coped for years aren't working as well anymore, and you're looking for an approach that includes both mind and body.

What is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic therapy brings your thoughts, emotions, and body into the work together. Along with conversation, we pay attention to how stress, anxiety, and trauma are showing up in your body and gently work with those patterns.

Somatic therapy may be a good fit if you:

  • Have already tried talk therapy but still feel stuck

  • Notice stress in your body, such as muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, or exhaustion

  • Find yourself becoming overwhelmed, reacting strongly, or shutting down

  • Want to feel more present, more resilient, and better able to respond to life's challenges

My work is grounded in Somatic Experiencing (SE), with the option of incorporating the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) or Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) when appropriate.

If you'd like to learn more about Somatic Experiencing and how it works, you can explore that here.

How I Can Support You

  • Woman resting in a chair with her eyes closed.

    Somatic Experiencing

    The foundation of my work. SE helps you develop greater resilience, flexibility, and choice by working with mind and body.

    Learn more about Somatic Experiencing

  • White over-the-ear headphones over a flowering plant representing the serenity felt during a safe and sound session

    Safe and Sound Protocol

    A listening therapy that uses specially filtered music to support regulation, connection, and a greater sense of ease.

    Learn more about Safe and Sound Protocol

  • Man wearing headphones and smiling outdoors during a rest and restore session

    Rest and Restore Protocol

    A listening therapy designed to support rest, recovery, and resilience for people living with ongoing stress and burnout.

    Learn more about Rest and Restore Protocol

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Somatic Therapy FAQs

Looking for Somatic Therapy in Chicago or Illinois?

Although I now live in Florida, I lived in Chicago for many years and continue to work with adults throughout Illinois. I provide online somatic therapy for clients across the state, including Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Whether you're navigating anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, or a major life transition, somatic therapy can help you build greater resilience, flexibility, and capacity to respond to life's challenges.

If this resonates with you, I'd be honored to work with you. Schedule a free consultation or visit my Contact page to get in touch.