What is Somatica Sexology and Intimacy Coaching®?
Somatica is an experiential, body-based approach to intimacy and sexuality that integrates emotional and physical connection. Unlike traditional therapy, Somatica focuses on hands-on, interactive methods to help individuals and couples build deeper emotional intimacy and address sexual challenges. The method was developed by the Somatica Institute, and it combines elements of somatic psychology, experiential learning, and intimate coaching to guide clients through their journey of healing and self-discovery.​
How Can Somatica Coaching Benefit You?
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Reconnect with your sensuality and sexuality
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Heal sexual trauma and blockages
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Build trust and intimacy with your partner
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Enhance your emotional and physical connection
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Navigate relationships with confidence and authenticity
The Somatica® Method
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​As a trained intimacy coach and sexologist, currently completing my Somatica certification, I use this approach to help you explore your sensuality, heal sexual blockages, and create a more vibrant, fulfilling relationship with yourself and your partner. Somatica helps you uncover and resolve patterns that limit your emotional and physical intimacy, encouraging authentic expression of your desires and needs.
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The Somatica method is designed to help clients connect deeply with their emotional and physical selves through experiential learning. It focuses on developing emotional literacy and body awareness, encouraging safe and empowered sexual exploration. The main components of the Somatica method are:
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Experiential Learning: Somatica is unique because it incorporates hands-on, guided exercises where clients practice new behaviors and communication techniques. Whether it’s learning how to ask for what you want, navigating boundaries, or exploring physical touch, the exercises provide immediate, real-world experience and practice.
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Emotional Literacy: Understanding and expressing emotions is key to deepening intimacy. Somatica teaches you how to identify and communicate your emotions, which in turn helps you connect more deeply with your partner. This emotional literacy empowers individuals to express their true selves authentically and with confidence.
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Body Awareness: Somatica integrates the body into the healing process. Through mindful touch and physical awareness, you explore the sensations and energy in your body, reconnecting with your sensuality and desires. This encourages healing of sexual blockages and fosters a deeper connection with your own body and your partner’s.
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Therapeutic Techniques: Somatica combines coaching with therapeutic techniques to work through past trauma, emotional pain, and any barriers to intimacy or sexual pleasure. Whether you are dealing with sexual dysfunction, past trauma, or communication issues in your relationship, Somatica provides tools to heal and create lasting change.
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Application
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Somatica coaching has numerous applications, especially for individuals and couples looking to enhance their emotional and physical intimacy. Some of the main benefits include:
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Reconnect with Your Sensuality and Sexuality: Somatica helps you break free from shame, guilt, or insecurity surrounding your sexuality, guiding you to rediscover and embrace your sensuality and sexual expression.
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Heal Sexual Trauma and Blockages: Somatica provides a safe, nurturing environment where individuals can explore and heal from past trauma or negative experiences that affect their sexual and emotional lives.
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Develop Deeper Trust and Intimacy: For couples, Somatica fosters communication and intimacy, helping partners develop trust, vulnerability, and a deeper emotional connection. Exercises and practices help partners build physical and emotional closeness while navigating any sexual challenges.
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Increase Emotional and Physical Connection: Somatica not only works on the emotional aspects of intimacy but also focuses on the physical connection, enhancing touch, affection, and sexual pleasure. It helps you and your partner communicate desires and connect on a deeper, more authentic level.
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Navigate Relationships with Confidence: Whether single or in a relationship, Somatica equips you with the tools to navigate intimacy confidently, understanding your desires, boundaries, and needs. It empowers you to have open, honest conversations about intimacy and to express yourself fully
About the Somatica® Institute
Somatica was developed by Dr. Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman, MA, who co-founded the Somatica Institute in 2010. They identified a gap in the industry: some clients' challenges required experiential approaches that could go far beyond what traditional talk-based therapies offered. They created the Somatica Method by leveraging their unique expertise—Danielle has a PhD in human sexuality, a graduate degree in clinical social work, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and educational counseling; Celeste has a Master’s degree in human sexuality studies, a bachelor’s in women’s studies, and a background in research on adolescent sexual development.
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The Somatica Method is based on the belief that the skills required to make physical and emotional connections are learnable and teachable. It allows clients to practice real-time intimacy in a holistic approach to sex and relationship coaching that covers emotions, communication, passion, and sexual pleasure—while consciously maintaining boundaries that ensure the client and practitioner feel safe and comfortable.
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As they built their practices and implemented the principles of the Somatica Method, Danielle and Celeste were excited to see profound shifts in confidence, empowerment, and relationship satisfaction in their clients. Their clients shed shame, showed their vulnerability, and became gentler, more loving, and forgiving of themselves and others.
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The Somatica Institute has since empowered hundreds of aspiring sex coaches, spanning the Americas, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Alumni have gone on to achieve fulfilling careers as sex and relationship coaches, authors, podcasters, TV and film intimacy coordinators, and thought leaders.