The Body Talks

Somatic Psychotherapy and Polyvagal Therapy for women with body symptoms rooted in stress, anxiety and/or trauma

urinary -- gut -- jaw -- pelvic

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Anne Kulakowski, Somatic Psychotherapist and Polyvagal Informed Therapist

Hi & Welcome!

I'm Anne (she/her/hers).

I’m a Somatic Psychotherapist and Polyvagal Therapist.  I specialize in working with women who are experiencing physical symptoms that aren't responding to traditional medical treatment.  This includes urinary frequency and urgency, gut and digestion issues, jaw pain and tension, bruxism, vulvodynia, vaginismus, and pelvic pain.  I believe that joy, playfulness, ease, freedom, and creativity are our birthrights.  Having an ongoing issue or pain in your body can be a huge barrier to experiencing these things.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  I am an expert in using Somatic Psychotherapy and the applications of Polyvagal Theory to help you get to the emotional and psychological roots of your body's symptoms so you can feel safe and secure and start enjoying life again.

WHAT IS SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY?

Somatic Psychotherapy is a field of Psychology that recognizes the connection between our bodies and minds and thoughts and emotions. It is a process of sharing the stories of our lives while slowing down to attune to the body’s story. Our bodies stories are revealed through sensations, gestures, impulses, symptoms, pain, posture, movements, and breath. My work is focuses on the “here and now” present moment which is where we access the body’s information and wisdom. When we learn to access the body’s stories and learn to listen to them, we find a pathway to knowing and taking care of ourselves in a deep and integrated way.

What is Polyvagal Theory?

Polyvagal Theory is a field of Psychology, developed by Stephen Porges, that acknowledges the role of the Vagus nerve and how it is associated with three states of the nervous system:  Ventral Vagal (calm, happy, at ease), Sympathetic (stressed, overwhelmed, anxious) and Dorsal Vagal (shut down, depressed, hopeless).  Polyvagal Theory offers ways of getting to know the states of the nervous system and strategies for inviting yourself back into a calm nervous system state when you’re not there.

More About Me

What they're saying

"Anne is a gifted psychotherapist with a wide range of interests and expertise. She's accepting, compassionate, smart and kind. She also has a unique capacity to help people engage their bodies in the healing process of psychotherapy."

-Brent Reynolds, LMHC

"I have worked with Anne for four years and know her to be deeply committed to working with children, giving them voice, and helping them access their inner knowing"

- Dana An, LICSW

“Anne has a marvelous gift for engaging people in a vital present centered way that helps them move out of stuck places and into a fuller expression of their true selves.  She brings to the table many finely honed skills from which she draws on to meet the needs of the moment.”

- Carol Marcy, PhD. Psychologist

"Anne sensitively yet honestly gets to the heart of the issue."

- Erin Anderson, LPC, BC-DMT, CMT, Founder, Communitas Movement, Denver, CO