Sarita Barnes, ACSW Somatic Therapist in Los Angeles, California and virtually throughout California
*All sessions are held virtually/ online
Your worth is not a performance and your healing is not a destination. Freedom and stability are rooted in having a deep understanding your nervous system, building connection between mind and body, exploring new patterns with gentleness and compassion, and learning to create a network of mutual love and support around you or tap into the one you already have.
Even if your current patterns are no longer serving you, you have worked tirelessly to find ways to build a life of greater peace and security, yet you may find that both feel perpetually out of reach. When stress mounts, your instinct is to push harder, do more, lean on old ways of being, and shield everyone else from the weight. But trauma often hides in this "high-functioning" hustle, keeping your nervous system in a state of constant survival. You may need more than relaxation, you may need reintegration. You are ready to stop performing your life and start embodying it, living in the present.
We will work together to move past the mental loops of "not enough" and dive into the somatic roots of your story. I support your in finding a place where
Clarity replaces "the push": You pursue goals from a place of inspiration rather than fear.
Boundaries are a bridge: You connect deeply with others without losing yourself in the process.
Trauma is transformed: The patterns that once protected you are gently released to make room for your creativity, softness, and true identity.
My approach is designed to honor the intelligence of both your mind and your body. By integrating Systems Therapy, Somatic Awareness, IFS-informed parts work, self-compassion, and integrating your cultural strengths and practices.
We explore different methods to find what best supports you in coming home to yourself.
We go deeper than the general guidance you can get from a book or podcast. We start with an assessment so that I can know and understand you, the growth you want to see, and the goals that would let you know that you are healing. We work on areas like building your ability to regulate your nervous system, understanding your attachment patterns and building secure attachment skills, communication practices, getting to know all parts of you with compassion, and reprocessing the experiences that are holding you or your relationship back. We will bring your culture, identity, values, and strengths into sessions and work with all of what makes you, you.
You don’t need another set of quick tips or to-do’s…
I understand where you are coming from…
Here are the things that influence the way that I do therapy:
My identities as a queer, neurodivergent, bi-racial person with a deep desire to help others find power in their identity
Year of experience working with under-resourced communities as well as in residential treatment
A deep love of exploring ritual and communal practices that lead to healing including group therapy
A love of researching models of therapy that focus on wellness over pathology, connection over isolation, and bringing together mind and body instead of seeing them as separate
My lived experiences walking through my own healing journeys
I want you to grow and heal towards your definition of a life of connection and thriving..
That means your therapy goals could look like reprocessing adverse experiences that have been weighing on your nervous system for years, experiencing a deep sense of peace even in the midst of challenges, or being able to communicate clearly and intentionally during conflict
and
being able to get out on the dance floor when you go out with friends because you know that movement is medicine, being honest with your family about your real thoughts and perspectives, finally being able to genuinely relax during down time.
* Please note, I do not directly take any insurances but I am happy to provide you with superbills so that you can seek reimbursement from your insurance company. For more information please visit our section on Services and Investment.