Analytic Somatic Psychotherapy - Intro Program
Monika's 6-session introductory program on Working with the Emotional Body was a warm, enlightening, and empowering experience. Monika provided a safe environment to learn the somatic exercises through personal experimentation, after a clear and thoughtful explanation (and often a demonstration as well). I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in private practice, and we consulted on a couple of specific cases of mine. Monika pointed out exercises that would be useful to help those clients access emotion in a different way, with positive results. I highly recommend Monika and her program to anyone who is interested in learning about somatic therapy or personally experiencing themselves in a deeply embodied way.
Dr. Erin Findley, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Monika has a vast knowledge of Bioenergetic Somatic Therapy, and she does a fine job of breaking it down into an comprehensive introductory series. The format is at once didactic, in that she will review the 6 foundations of Analytic Somatic Therapy, and experiential, as she will invite you to put these foundations into practice. I've been interested in this unique and profound form of somatic therapy, and Monika was not only a rare find in her expertise, but she was a pleasure to get to know and to learn from, or rather, with. She was open to my personal process, remaining curious but also offering numerous insightful viewpoints on my experience. Her introductory series is best viewed as a brief training on Analytic Somatic Therapy, but you are likely to also walk away with a few gems to support your healing path. I recommend her to anyone interested in learning more about this work.
Psychologist, PhD.
I participated in the six session program after completing an intensive outpatient program for postpartum depression. I am so glad that I found Monika and this program. Within five minutes of our first meeting Monika was able to - correctly - identify all of the places in my body where I carry tension and anxiety. It was a very eye opening moment for me, and I felt so reassured that she seemed to understand my issues and how to help me right away. The six session program addressed areas that I had not considered, and yet they are critical to a healthy and balanced life. Participating in the program made an extremely positive impact on my recovery from postpartum depression. I continue to apply the skills that I learned from Monika. I would strongly recommend this program.
Mother, HR Professional
Participating in this program with Monika Broecker was knowledgeful, deep learning. It was a journey where both my intellect and heart were traveling hand in hand. In the 6-session intensive, we went through the different components of bioenergetics through experiential personal process. Monika was able to provide clear, crisp, and precise descriptions and discussions of the elements yet was still able to humanize it for the heart to understand. It is really a feast for the body, mind, and soul. I walked out of the room feeling an intellectual fulfillment and emotional satisfaction. A meeting of the mind and soul where both are growing side by side in this journey called life.
International Counseling Psychology Student, MFT trainee
Sensing the deep anger and frustration fueling me as I was talking, a friend said to me, “You need to have a session with Monika and discover what the anger has to show you.” Indeed, I myself felt somewhat at a loss as to what to do about this particular recurrent anger.
So, I signed up for Monika’s introductory series for Analytic Somatic Therapy the very next week. Monika’s authentic presence, guidance, and conversation nourished me as I was introduced to the method and vocabulary of this therapy. Each session left me with tools and practices that I want to explore for months, if not years, to come. In fact, I feel like this recommendation may be better written in a year because then I can be more specific about the outcomes of implementing the various tools and practicing the exercises I am learning.
So much happened in the few sessions: I discovered how little I knew about somatic therapy generally; I gained many new tools – for grounding, for self-awareness, for decision-making; and I felt what it was like to work with Monika.
Initially, I had hoped for a session where I worked on particular issues (anger and lower back issues), but during the process of doing the introductory series, I came to appreciate that it will take time to feel my way through my emotions, my body, my life, and to transform the energy that is me and is moving through me.
I deeply appreciate Monika: from the initial of arranging the first meeting, to working with the challenge of scheduling, to her unique beautiful style of showing up for me -- her agile and intuitive ways of combining talk with somatic exercises, with a good dose of humor and warmth.
Attorney and parent
I did the 6 session program with Monika, and gained a lot from it. The exercises are usually simple, but the connections and awareness around them helped provide another layer of understanding. They helped get in below the thinking mind and access the healing joy, energy and flow of being alive, whilst also learning better where are trauma, fear and stucknesses are in the body/mind.
Counseling Psychology Student, 43
I put some words together that would describe our work together: "Energetic, eclectic, cheerful, warm"
Counseling Psychology Student, IT consultant, 38
I am happy I took Monika Broecker's introductory program of 6 Somatic Psychotherapy sessions. Monika is enthusiastic about her area of expertise, as well she should be, since the somatic approach is a wonderful and effective way of identifying, being with and processing emotions. Thanks, Monika for your help!
Female, 55
Somatic Psychotherapy
"Monika Broecker is one of the best therapists I've worked with in my life. She combines the credibility of a therapist with two masters degrees and a business professional background that includes Google and top Management Consulting firms. Her approach adapts to the client while maintaining emotionally authenticity. Simultaneously, she has the range of work and life experience necessary to empathize and understand the intricacies of a business professional's experience. She specialized in and is perfectly suited for those working in high tech or professional positions, dealing with professional and personal challenges. I give her my highest recommendation and have personally recommended her to my closest friends."
Senior Manager, 39
"After experiencing a series of traumatizing events, I was hopelessly depressed, anxious and an utter and complete psychological wreck. I had completely lost touch with reality and was ultimately forced to withdraw from college in order to return home and find a way to regain my health. In my last meeting with my on-campus therapist, my mother and I were instructed to look specifically for "dialectical behavior therapy," as "Borderline Personality Disorder" was looking more and more to be what I was struggling with.
I could not be more thankful that I found Monika. I discovered her through Psychology Today, and we started meeting 4x per week only a few days after I returned home. She never assumed anything about me based on my previous diagnosis, clearly taking the investigation into her own hands, and being sensitive but nonetheless thorough in breaking down the precise issues and the complex past that I had been so debilitated by.
After four months of intensive therapy, I feel like an entirely new person. The Borderline Personality tendencies I had struggled with--immense difficulty with boundaries and limits, self-mutilation, substance abuse, chronic feelings of emptiness and a lack of a sense of self--have entirely diminished. I have never been so confident in my self-awareness.
Monika has equipped me with invaluable tools to keep attuned to my body, my needs, and my true self. She has taught me how to be conscious of my personal boundaries, set limits for myself, and even incorporate meditation and grounding techniques into my daily life.
Because of Monika and her boundless patience and knowledge, I can now move forward in my life with the confidence that I am making smart and safe decisions for myself and for those that I love. I started at a new college and am thriving both in my academic work as well as in my athletic ambitions without draining myself."
College Student, 20
Monika combines listening with active counseling, and traditional psychotherapy with breath and meditation techniques, in a blend that allowed me to explore some of my old/root issues while simultaneously gaining practical techniques for dealing with challenging emotions in the present. Through my meetings with Monika, some patterns and habits that I hadn’t previously recognized became clearer, and though I feel ages away from the deep depression I experienced as an adolescent/young adult, the variety of grounding/centering techniques I learned from Monika have continued to be helpful, especially in the moments when I begin to feel myself on the slippery slope of depression.
Executive Assistant and Mother, 38
Monika was a very supportive therapist for 2 years. I saw her to treat disordered eating, anxiety and depression issues, and to work through family difficulties. Our therapy ended when I decided to move out of state to continue my education. Throughout our time together, she would tailor our sessions depending on what she saw that I needed. This was especially helpful as she is knowledgeable in many different area of therapy, from solution-focused therapy to Gestalt work. And of course she is very familiar with somatic techniques. Throughout my work with her, I researched many different models of the mind (and took psychology courses in school myself) and I would often be surprised to learn that Monika had not only trained under that model, but had also trained under a pioneer of the field. As a person, she is also a great resource. Her career has gone through many different stages and as a career coach she helped me to not only make sense of where I was but also where I wanted to go.
College student, 23
Monika has a great sense of integrity in her work. No stone is left unturned by Monika in our work together, ensuring a great sense of closure and completion in the process. I am awed by Monika's expertise and wealth of knowledge in her field. I feel I have stumbled upon a treasure box of great insights that Monika affords me as I proceed in my search for personal growth. Monika is generous with her time and energy, and she is always willing to go the extra mile to create greater understanding and healing for her clients.
Psychotherapist (MFTI), 45
Thanks for the therapy sessions. I have gained a huge amount of perspective on my fears and anxieties thanks to our conversations and somatic work. Now I need to build on ways to work with them.
Student
I spent a year in therapy. I was nice to have a person without a bias to talk to. As a college student and mother I was going through a divorce and was having a hard time getting on the right path. The therapy offered me the opportunity to really define my academic goals and encouraged me to follow my personal dreams. Since then I have moved to a better place, and I am raising my two children. Graduation is next year, and I plan on going to grad school fall of 2015. Thanks to Monika who allowed me to express my goals, emotions and dreams and has assisted me in planning for my future.
College student and parent, 31
I've learned a lot about myself in the process, especially thanks to you and all of your expert guidance. You have taught me tools that I will be able to use for the rest of my life. I can't thank you enough for all of your kind words, encouragement, and great advice.
Senior Engineer, 37
Testimonials on online platform BetterHelp
The help and guidance I have received from Monika Broecker have been so beneficial to my well being and has moved me out of a rut that I was "stuck in" with a close family member relationship. I so appreciate being able to work with her, even living so far away! I'd recommend her counseling style, her expertise, and Better Help to everyone wishing they could have help to work on an old problem, a new problem, or help recognizing when something in your life has become a problem. Get better-get help!
Client of Monika's on BetterHelp, 60
Monika has been extremely responsive, providing tangible recommendations and suggestions when I need them, or providing sympathy if I just need an ear. Her support has ranged in topics from my marriage, new motherhood, executive leadership in my job, and finding interests outside those areas.
Client of Monika's on BetterHelp, 40
