Lydia Lutsyshyna

Somatic Therapist, Joining May 25th

My view of therapy imagines us all as Matryoshka dolls or perhaps tree rings; concentric, multidimensional beings with several layers of ourselves in time and space. I also view us as inextricable from our cultures and lineages. Sometimes, parts of our selves become estranged– disconnection from our inner child, distrust of our chaotic mid-20s self, tension between our defenses and our deepest truths, and so on. My aim is also to bring compassion and curiosity to the multiple facets of you so you can relax into befriending yourself. Sometimes we are like an orchestra out of harmony. No instrument needs to step out– we just want them to play together for your unique song.

When traumas rock us, our aspects can become even more fragmented, leaving us falling through the cracks of ourselves with nothing to hold on to. I know this terror. I hope to be a witness and guide in those scary, lost places, helping you build tools to navigate back to the shore of felt safety. I know how challenging it can be to access felt safety, and I view this navigation as a learnable skill. In particular, I am passionate about working with developmental trauma and how it can shake our existence. We are not broken– we are just learning. And I believe wholeheartedly in each individual’s ability to learn safety in themselves given supportive conditions.

As a somatic therapist, my orientation to providing those supportive conditions is relational and body-based. The trust we build with each other in the room is foundational for how deep we can go. While I see value in the stories we tell ourselves about our lives as we try to “figure things out,” I believe transformation happens when we feel our feelings in nurturing connection. I also believe that emotional healing is like lifting weights– we lift only as much as we can at a time while keeping proper form so we don’t get injured. Our ability to tolerate discomfort grows slowly. I do not see our goal as making trauma “go away”; rather, I see our goal as being alongside you as you grow bigger around it.

While all this may sound quite intense and heavy, I must say, through my struggles I have developed quite a sense of humor about life. In a session with me, you can expect a lot of lightness. Perhaps we discover some of your spontaneity while playing catch. Perhaps we visualize what your protective bubble looks like today. Or maybe we draw what empowerment feels like for you. Alongside the realness of life’s pains, I think therapy should be fun! And, despite my specialization in complex trauma, I welcome clients of all varieties. I especially love helping folks navigate their creativity and spirituality.

Outside of work, I draw, play the saxophone, and want to become an acrobat one day. I am also a queer (she/they), neurodivergent Ukrainian-American artist.