Katie Elsen

Counsellor & Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
Therapist for Adults, Parents, Caregivers & Children

Philosophy

As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and counsellor, I believe in the body’s innate ability to heal. While lived experiences of trauma can be part of life, they don’t have to define us. I believe these experiences can be transformed into growth, resilience, and a deeper sense of wholeness.

Whether you're experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, or carrying a trauma history, leaning into our common humanity with compassion is a powerful antidote—and an integral part of the work we do together. I feel honoured to offer presence and support as you expand your window of tolerance for life’s challenges.

In my experience, healing often happens when we go beyond the narrative—beyond just talking—to explore what may be keeping the nervous system stuck. In a safe and supported environment, the body has the opportunity to complete unresolved responses and find regulation.

This work has had a deep impact on my own healing journey and continues to shape how I show up for others—with humility, self-reflection, and a commitment to ongoing learning. I’ve worked in the field of mental health and wellbeing since 2002, and over the years, I’ve witnessed how integrating mind and body allows for profound transformation—not just surface-level change.

With Somatic Experiencing as the foundation of my practice, I also draw on other modalities such as Internal Family Systems, Attachment Theory, touch work, breathwork, and EFT (tapping), depending on what best suits the needs of each client.

Therapeutic Approach

My therapeutic approach is grounded in the principles of Somatic Experiencing®—a gentle, body-based method for healing trauma and supporting nervous system regulation. I work in a relational, trauma-informed way that respects each client’s pace, boundaries, and lived experience.

Sessions are collaborative and guided by curiosity. Together, we may explore bodily sensations, emotional patterns, or subconscious beliefs that are ready to shift, all within a space of safety and compassion. I integrate tools from Internal Family Systems (IFS), touch work, breathwork, and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), tailoring the work to meet you where you are.  I am also a certified Safe and Sound Protocol practitioner and can offer this program to clients across the lifespan should it suit your needs.

When working with children and neurodivergent clients, I use sensory-based approaches and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to support co-regulation and resilience. My background across allied health, mental health, and wellbeing education allows me to work holistically across a broad range of presentations.

Areas of Interest

• Trauma and nervous system regulation

• Somatic therapy for anxiety, depression and stress

• Altered states of consciousness to initiate neural change

• Psychedelic integration and altered states of consciousness

• Parent support and attachment-based approaches

• Neurodiversity-informed therapy for children and adults

• Grief, loss, and existential challenges

• Group work, retreats, and experiential healing

• Inner child work and parts integration (IFS)

• Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and breathwork

Professional Background

Since 2002, I have worked with groups and individuals in health and wellbeing settings. I began counselling in 2015, following many years of work in holistic wellbeing and group facilitation. Since then, I’ve supported individuals across the lifespan using a body-based, relational, and trauma-informed approaches. My work integrates Somatic Experiencing®, Internal Family Systems, breathwork, and other modalities that support nervous system regulation, emotional integration, and whole-person healing.

Earlier in my career, I worked in therapeutic, educational, and wellness settings where I facilitated group programs, retreats, and embodied practices. These experiences shaped my understanding of how safety, presence, and co-regulation support lasting transformation—both within individuals and across communities.

In leadership roles, I worked closely with families, children, and staff to navigate stress, overwhelm, and relational challenges. These roles strengthened my ability to hold space with steadiness, especially in environments where people feel stretched or disconnected. They also deepened my understanding of systems and how external pressures can impact our inner world.

Across all these experiences, my therapeutic focus remains the same: to meet people with presence, support the body’s natural capacity to heal, and foster a compassionate connection to self.