WHO WE ARE
4 Highly Recommended Atlanta Somatic Therapists
The emotional pain you carry in your mind is also reflected in your body. It is the sudden knot in your stomach during a conflict with your partner, or a tight feeling in your chest right before a routine meeting at work. When your nervous system stays trapped on edge like this, daily life and time with the people you love can feel overwhelming. Healing from trauma or long-term stress sometimes needs more than just talking about it in therapy.
Somatic therapy is a different way forward—your safe space to focus on these physical signs and find real relief.
At Steady Hope Counseling, we believe that effective healing is rooted in trust, and you never have to carry this load alone. Our Atlanta somatic therapists are here to help you rediscover your strengths, feel true comfort in your skin, and find the right match for your journey. Meet our team below and connect with us when you’re ready to begin your healing.
Jump to a therapist
-
Jenny Romano: Best for women, grief & trauma
-
Sam Merrill: Best for motherhood, trauma & nervous system support
-
Kim DeRamus Lareau: Best for trauma recovery, life transitions & maternal mental health
-
Phylicia Clemons: Best for trauma recovery, anxiety & nervous system regulation
Not sure which therapist is right for you? Contact us for a free consultation so we can help match you!
Meet Our Therapists
Jenny Romano
Best for women, grief & trauma
Women who are quietly strong and used to holding things together often feel intimidated to ask for help. Jenny creates an encouraging, reflective space for women working through grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, motherhood, and the changes that bring a sense of disconnection. Her somatic interventions and trauma- and attachment-informed approach integrate both mind and body, with a focus on grounding, safety, and gently exploring your inner world.
-
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
-
Location: Decatur, GA
-
Virtual therapy? Yes, in GA
Sam Merrill
Best for motherhood, trauma & nervous system support
Sam offers the kind of space where women in the “heavy” seasons of pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood are seen and tended to. As a fellow mama, Sam is particularly passionate about maternal mental health, while also working with women carrying trauma, grief, anxiety, and relational wounds. Her gentle, curious, and steady approach combines somatic interventions with EMDR, Parts Work, and attachment-informed care to support nervous system regulation and help you move from survival mode toward feeling safe, seen, and fully present.
-
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor
-
Location: Decatur, GA
-
Virtual therapy? Yes, in GA
Kim DeRamus Lareau
Best for trauma recovery, life transitions, and maternal mental health
With more than 15 years in counseling, Kim brings extensive experience to clients working through trauma recovery, life transitions, and maternal mental health. Her work with women affected by trauma and sexual abuse, along with her experience in private practice and college counseling, has shaped a trauma-informed approach that looks at the whole person. Kim integrates trauma-informed work with EMDR and attachment-based care, and places a strong value on the trust between therapist and client. As the founder of Steady Hope, she sees it as a privilege to walk beside you as you work toward your goals, understand your true identity, and find wholeness again.
-
Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, Perinatal Mental Health-Certified, National Certified Counselor
-
Location: Decatur, GA
-
Virtual therapy? Yes, in GA, FL, SC
Phylicia Clemons
Best for trauma recovery, anxiety & nervous system regulation
Phylicia’s work with adolescents, teens, and young adults centers on trauma recovery, anxiety, and the nervous system responses that keep people feeling stuck in survival mode. She has a strong interest in helping clients move from fight, flight, or freeze toward calm, safety, and connection. Her trauma-informed, person-centered approach includes mind-body integration, with training in EMDR and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. With Phylicia, you can expect a safe, warm, and nonjudgmental space where you feel seen, heard, and supported.
-
Credentials: Associate Professional Counselor
-
Location: Decatur, GA
-
Virtual therapy? Yes, in GA
What sets our practice apart from other Atlanta somatic therapy providers
At Steady Hope, we believe you deserve a safe place to talk about your concerns and a therapist who sees you as a whole person. Our team blends somatic interventions, trauma-informed care, and different areas of clinical experience, so you have options as you find the right place to begin.
Here’s what makes our practice different:
-
Somatic interventions alongside EMDR and IFS to help you work through trauma, anxiety, stress, and difficult experiences
-
A diverse team of therapists with different areas of expertise and an understanding of your unique situation
-
Collaborative care with therapists who consult with each other and an intake team that can help you find the right fit
-
Flexible in-person and virtual care to accommodate your preference for in-office or secure virtual sessions from home
-
Evening and weekend session times to fit therapy into your schedule
-
Reduced-rate options based on your situation to make regular counseling sustainable for you
We’re not about a one-size-fits-all approach. We take time to understand who you are, what you’re facing, and what you hope to get out of therapy. That relationship gives us a foundation for finding the right approach to your healing.
What to expect from the somatic therapy process
Step 1: Starting with a free consultation
We know that reaching out to a somatic therapist can feel like a big first step. That’s why we start with a free 15-minute call. You can tell us a little about what brings you to therapy, ask questions, and learn more about how we can help. We’ll work with you to find a therapist who feels like the right fit.
Step 2: Getting to know you
Your first somatic therapy session is a chance for us to get to know you and what you hope to get out of counseling. Share as much as you feel comfortable sharing. You don’t have to know where to start or have the right words to explain what you’re going through. You and your therapist will begin talking about your concerns and the goals you want to work toward.
Step 3: Exploring the mind-body connection
Somatic therapy includes paying attention to how stress and emotions show up in your body and how you respond when things feel overwhelming. Your therapist will help you explore these responses and notice what you experience physically, whether that’s tension, restlessness, or feeling on edge. You won’t be expected to have all the answers. You and your therapist will work through this together, at a pace that feels right for you.
Step 4: Working toward your goals
As you continue with somatic therapy, you and your therapist will revisit the goals you set together and explore what helps you feel more grounded and present. Over time, you may begin to recognize your responses to stress more clearly and find ways to respond to them in daily life. Your therapist will continue working with you as your needs and goals evolve.
FAQs about somatic therapy
Start working with an Atlanta somatic therapist today
Starting somatic therapy is the first step toward releasing the chronic stress, trauma, and physical tension stored in your body. You don't have to struggle on your own. Talk with our team today, and we will match you with the right Atlanta somatic therapist to help you finally find relief.