Amy Williams LMHC, CYT

04/30/2026

Below is the first in a three part blog series I am writing about our protective survival responses. Let's get down it it-

Understanding the Fight or Flight Response: A Somatic Approach to Nervous System Regulation

If you’ve been feeling constantly on edge, overwhelmed, or like you just can’t fully relax, there’s likely a good reason for that.

It’s not that you need to be more grateful or more positive (we’re an ~*all vibes, not just good vibes*~ space around here).

It’s that your fight or flight response is activated.

Your nervous system is wired to keep you safe. And one way it does that is by using your past to predict what might happen next.

When something in the present even loosely resembles a past experience that felt overwhelming (for example- a certain tone of voice, time of year/anniversary, a sensation in the body… literally anything) your body doesn’t stop to assess: Is this response needed? Does it make sense to my current situation? It just moves quickly to protect you.

This response is automatic, efficient, and deeply intelligent.

But when it stays “on,” it can start to feel like anxiety, urgency, or a constant sense of pressure in your system.

In my latest blog, I break down:

what fight or flight actually is

what’s happening in your body when it’s activated

why you can’t think your way out of it

and how to begin gently coming out of survival mode

If you’ve ever wondered “why do I react this way when I know I’m safe?”, this will help make sense of it.

You can read the full post here:

Learn what the fight or flight response is, how it shows up in your body, and how to come out of survival mode using somatic therapy tools for nervous system regulation.

02/10/2026

Many women I’ve worked with over the years come to therapy at a crossroads-

They’re highly self-aware, yet still stuck in the very loops they long to break free from.

If you’ve ever wondered why self-awareness doesn’t always lead to lasting change- or why you can clearly understand your patterns but still feel stuck in them- you’re not alone.

Reaching insight and understanding often does take a lot of work. It can be an important step on the road to creating a more fulfilling, balanced, and pleasurable life, ~and~ often it’s not enough, especially in the context of trauma and stress recovery.

As somatic therapies have started to become more mainstream over the last several years, a question I often hear is:

What’s the difference between somatic therapy and talk therapy?

I recently wrote a blog exploring this very question, especially through the lens of trauma, stress, and nervous system regulation. In it, I share how both talk therapy and somatic therapy can each be supportive, where their limits can show up, and why working with the body can be an important part of healing- particularly when you’ve spent a long time living in survival mode.

If you’re curious, you can read the full post here-
https://feltsense.co/blog/somatic-therapy-vs-talk-therapy

As always, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy.

I also like to emphasize that these approaches aren’t mutually exclusive. Somatic therapy is not a quick fix or a single technique. Rather, it’s a gradual, personalized process that meets your nervous system where it’s at.

While the body is central to the work, elements of traditional talk therapy are often woven in as needed, depending on your history, capacity, and goals.

Healing from chronic stress or trauma takes time, and effective therapy is individualized, adapting as you do.

I do currently have a few spots open and would be happy to hear from you if you're interested in supporting your nervous system through somatic therapy/Somatic Experiencing!

Learn the differences between somatic therapy and talk therapy, and how to know which approach may be right for you in Massachusetts or online.

01/25/2026

Stay warm and safe out there, friends!

01/13/2026

let Mother Nature hold you.

01/04/2026

parts of my old identity and belief systems are shedding away and with that comes whispers of fear. what if i fail? what if these changes cause my family more stress? what if i burn myself out?

it’s easy to say “feel the fear and do it anyway” but it’s a whole different thing to actually implement that and let the fear move through *without* shutting down, numbing out, or feeling overwhelmed.

for me today that looked arriving to a studio for a meditation group filled with strangers and letting myself cry. feeling the fear meant being with the sensation of vibrating energy rising up through my core and into my throat, observing the hot tears welling up in my eyes, and not trying to stop or suppress it but instead letting it exist without judgement.

tracking sensation as it moves through you and allowing for whatever impulse that arises is one way we support an emotion to complete. because of the work i’ve done, welcoming environment, and the kind strangers, i felt safe in my body to allow for this experience (which still doesn’t equate to it being comfortable or fun if we’re being honest here 🤪).

the thing is- if you grew up in an unsupportive environment or have experienced ongoing stress and trauma, ‘feeling the fear and doing it anyway’ might be too big of a leap. the problems isn’t that you’re not courageous… more than likely, it’s that you haven’t built the capacity.

you don’t need to be fearless to the ‘feel the fear’- you just need to be resourced.

here’s to building capacity, titrating expansion, strengthening resources, and gently pushing past our edges in this year, my friends!

01/01/2026

new chapter loading… 💫

12/30/2025

we must learn not to fear the fear that arises when we decide to shift out of habitual patterns that developed in order to help us survive.

instead, what if you allow yourself to feel it? to let it change you?

there’s magic in the friction between who you were and who you’re becoming.

12/16/2025

This Sunday, Dec 21, marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day, and the longest night of the year. Right in the middle of the "holiday chaos" as we over-consume alcohol, food, as well as material things-
Let's take this as a reminder to slow the pace- get comfortable. What can you do to honor this shift in balance?
Share meals with friends
Take a bath
Connect to nature
Light candles or get a fire going
Drink something warm
Bring nature indoors- make a Yule Altar with berries, green trimmings, pinecones, etc
Burn incense
Change your bedding and create a cozy sanctuary for yourself
What else?

Art is by 🎨Jessica Boehman- a Professor of the History of Art and Illustration

12/15/2025

I used to say becoming a therapist “was a calling.” To be honest, I never quite understood it myself. Though I could have used it earlier, I had never been in therapy until I was in grad school studying to become a therapist.

When I started to more deeply understand trauma- what it actually is, and how the body/mind hold both the imprint of it and the possibility of healing- it started to dawn on me that I too had experienced trauma.

Peter Levine Ph.D, founder of Somatic Experiencing, says “We often teach what we most need to learn.” Recognizing the traumatic stress held in my own body was an awakening of sorts. I swung the pendulum from the more abstract, esoteric view of “being a therapist was my calling” to what felt like a grounded explanation that based on my own early life experiences (+ an eldest daughter/middle child combo to boot!), it makes sense I became a therapist.

Truth is- it’s both. Concrete and a mystery.

I rediscovered this research paper I wrote at 12 years old about childhood trauma and abuse and it dawned on me-

I’ve been in this world a long time.

An invisible string connecting the dots all along.

This truly is my life’s calling. 😌✨

11/17/2025

what an incredible weekend we just had at our 3rd Somatic Healing Retreat! 🤩 i left this retreat with my heart full and feeling SO inspired by the bravery and vulnerability all the participants showed up with! between the nourishing meals, time spent in nature, plenty of mindful movement, connection with others, and sharing the education and embodied practices i feel so lucky to have learned throughout my career… i’m just basking in the bliss of how it all came together! 😌✨ it wouldn’t have been nearly as powerful and potent if it weren’t for how willing the participants were to show up for themselves and for others as well! bless all your hearts! i’m so glad to have met you! 🫶🏼🥰💞🙏🏼🏔️xo Amy Williams

11/08/2025

next weekend, babes! and we’ve got room for two more! 🤗



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