Body-Mind Therapy: Supporting Stress, Trauma, and Chronic Pain Through the Body and Nervous System
By Richelle Muscroft, SEP™, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist with The Therapy Project
The effects of distress and trauma are not just cognitive experiences — they live in the body and nervous system. While many people find talk therapy helpful, sometimes words alone aren’t enough to shift what the body continues to hold. That’s where a “bottom-up” approach can make a difference.
The body carries wisdom and information. Even though it may not always feel true, it isn’t trying to cause suffering — it’s trying to communicate. When the brain and nervous system are on high alert from anxiety, past experiences, injuries or ongoing stress, they can create patterns of pain, tension, hypervigilance or avoidance that leave us feeling stuck and disconnected.
As a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner and IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist, I offer nervous system–oriented support that complements psychological care. My work bridges mental health and the body, providing individuals with practical, evidence-informed tools to tend to the physical and physiological impacts of stress, trauma and persistent pain. The intention of this work is to reduce suffering, build resilience and discover inner resources that support experiencing meaningful change.
What is Somatic Experiencing®?
Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) is a body-based trauma recovery method that helps people gently release stress and tension while resolving the effects of experiences stored in the nervous system. Rather than needing to retell the full story, SE™ invites awareness of physical sensations, impulses, and emotions in a safe, gradual way, supporting the body and brain to shift out of survival mode and into states of healing.
SE™ can also be effective for chronic pain recovery, especially when symptoms heighten with stress, move around the body, have increased over time or persist without a clear medical explanation. By helping to “turn down” the danger alarm in the brain and rewire protective neural pathways, SE™ supports the nervous system in reorienting toward safety and reducing pain.
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga therapy takes a whole-person approach to healing, drawing on the ancient holistic methodology of yoga to support wellbeing across body, mind, emotions, and spirit.
Through tailored movement, breath work, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques, yoga therapy helps regulate the nervous system, release physical and emotional tension, and restore a sense of calm and connection. It is increasingly recognized as a complementary modality alongside psychology, physiotherapy, and other health professions.
What to Expect In Session With Me
Each session is collaborative, gently paced, and guided by your goals. No two sessions are exactly the same, but they often include a combination of conversation, guided awareness of body sensations, and yoga-informed practices.
First session: We begin with compassionate curiosity, exploring the physical, emotional, and psychological states affecting your life. Together, we’ll clarify your goals and intentions. I may share psychoeducation to support understanding and self-compassion and simple home practices to begin integrating right away.
Subsequent sessions: Each session builds on the last. Sometimes we sit in dialogue with guided awareness of the body; other times we move onto the mat for breath work, gentle movement, mindfulness, or relaxation practices. Sessions are always adaptable, creating space for what arises in the moment.
Over time, this process helps restore a sense of safety in the body and build inner resources that extend beyond symptom relief. The aim is to cultivate trust in yourself, a deeper connection to your body, and practical tools to incorporate into your daily life.
What you have gone through — and may still be going through — is hard. Our work together is about supporting your body and nervous system in not needing to work as hard. Whether you’re navigating daily stress and anxiety, chronic pain, or the impacts of trauma, this program offers a gentle pathway forward.
Curious about how this work could support you? Let’s connect. You’re welcome to book a free 20-minute Compatibility Call to see if working together feels right.
Specialties & Support Areas
Chronic pain, fibromyalgia & neuroplastic pain
Anxiety, depression, and nervous system sensitization
Trauma, PTSD, grief, and medical procedure–related trauma
Stress and emotional overwhelm
Sleep disturbances and breath-holding patterns
Core Therapeutic Benefits:
Repair and regulation of the autonomic nervous system
Personalized tools for movement, mindfulness, and self-support
Somatic completion of stress cycles, leading to more calm and presence
Guidance in shifting pain patterns and reducing fear of symptoms
Increased capacity to move through discomfort, overwhelm, and strong emotions
Sustainable shifts toward greater ease, resilience, and possibility
