The Near Approach

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NEAR is both personal and philosophical. The name comes from the initials of my daughters, a meaningful reminder of the importance of connection and the ways we grow through our relationships.

It also reflects a central belief in my work: healing happens when we move closer to ourselves. Many people come to therapy feeling disconnected from their bodies, their emotions, or their sense of self. Through psychotherapy, mindfulness, and somatic awareness, we slow down and begin the process of coming back into proximity with what we feel, what we need, and what has shaped us.

Somatic simply means “relating to the body.” In our work together, we’ll explore the connection between your mind and your body’s responses, creating space for greater self-awareness and self-acceptance. Over time, this can support shifts in patterns and increase flexibility in how you respond to stress and emotions.

Session may include: 

• supportive conversation and reflection
   
• simple breathing techniques to support regulation
   
• grounding practices to increase stability and presence
   
• awareness of physical sensations and emotional responses
   
• visualization or relaxation techniques
   

This approach is especially helpful for individuals who feel stuck despite having insight or previous therapy experience. These practices are integrated collaboratively through conversation and feedback, allowing the work to remain responsive and individualized.

The somatic psychotherapist views the body and mind as essentially interconnected and investigates how the person expresses themselves in posture, gesture, muscular patterns, emotional patterns and physiological arousal; and then helps facilitate self-regulation processes when the body-mind has become imbalanced. -Manuela Mischke-Reeds

Clients often come to me experiencing:

• Anxiety, worry, and chronic stress 
• Nervous system overwhelm or difficulty feeling settled 
• Depression, shame, self-criticism, and low self-worth 
• The lasting impact of past experiences 
• Difficulty regulating emotions 
• Relationship challenges and communication difficulties 
• Life transitions and shifts in identity 
• Feeling disconnected from yourself or your body