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
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
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
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
-

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 -

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
-

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
Somatic Therapy FAQs
-
Somatic therapy still includes conversation, but it also pays attention to what is happening in your body as you talk. That may include changes in breathing, muscle tension, posture, movement, or the urge to pull away, push back, or shut down.
Rather than only talking about these responses, we also work with them in the moment. My approach is grounded in Somatic Experiencing (SE), which helps you notice and gradually shift the patterns your nervous system has developed in response to stress, anxiety, and trauma.
This can be helpful because many people understand why they react a certain way but still find themselves having the same automatic responses when they feel overwhelmed. Somatic therapy creates opportunities to practice responding differently in a way that feels manageable.
We move slowly and work at a pace that supports your capacity. There is no expectation that you'll relive traumatic experiences or stay with sensations that feel overwhelming.
-
For many people, yes. Somatic therapy can be especially helpful when you've gained insight into your patterns but still find yourself becoming overwhelmed, shutting down, or reacting in ways that are difficult to change.
My work is grounded in Somatic Experiencing (SE), which focuses on helping your nervous system become more flexible and resilient. Rather than trying to eliminate difficult emotions or erase the past, the goal is to help you develop a greater capacity to stay present, recover more easily from stress, and have more choice in how you respond.
Research on Somatic Experiencing is growing, particularly for trauma and stress-related symptoms. Like any therapy, results vary from person to person and depend on factors such as what brings you to therapy, your goals, and your willingness to engage in the work.
-
Yes. Many people have difficulty noticing what is happening in their bodies, especially when they have spent years ignoring discomfort, staying busy, or disconnecting during stressful experiences.
You do not need to arrive with strong body awareness. We can begin with things that are easier to notice, such as whether your feet feel supported, whether your shoulders are tense, or whether you want to shift your position. The ability to notice more usually develops gradually.
-
I currently offer virtual sessions only. Somatic therapy can be just as effective online because you’re in a space that feels comfortable and familiar. Being at home allows you to use personal comfort items, like a cozy blanket or a favorite chair, and even have your pet nearby, which can help you feel more at ease during our work together.
This sense of safety and control in your environment can enhance the effectiveness of the therapy, making it easier for us to focus on your healing.
Plus, online sessions make life easier—you don’t have to take time off work, deal with traffic, or worry about finding parking. It’s therapy that fits into your routine, with less stress and more convenience.
-
Yes. I'm licensed in Illinois and provide online therapy to adults throughout the state, including Chicago. Although I now live in Florida, I spent many years living and working in Chicago and continue to work with clients across Illinois through secure telehealth.
-
Individual 55 minute sessions are $200.
There are additional costs for those who choose to include Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) or Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP). The costs will vary based on whether you listen to the protocol outside of our sessions. For more details, please see the breakdown on the SSP page. -
I am not in-network with any insurance plans.
If your PPO plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, I can provide a monthly superbill for you to submit for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement is determined by your insurance company, so I recommend asking about your deductible, reimbursement rate, and whether telehealth sessions with an out-of-network licensed clinical social worker are covered.
You will also receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected charges as required by federal law.
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.