Meet Naomi swanson, lCSW

It’s time to find joy and what brings you most alive.

Hello! I’m Naomi, a Somatic Psychotherapist and NeuroMovement® Practitioner who specializes in brain-body-movement therapies for people who feel chronically stressed-out, anxious, and overwhelmed by self-doubt.

I help individuals just like you - reconnect to themselves in order to find more ease and joy in life - and need some support and guidance in getting there.

I truly believe that…

You don’t have to carry this all on your own.

Being here, taking the first step in finding the right support for you is a courageous act of self-love. All of us need support especially during challenging times when we have lost our way. Having a trusted, experienced and attuned guide, someone with whom we feel truly safe and seen, to help us navigate and encourage us on our journey fuels the deep healing.

For over 25 years it has been my passion and privilege to walk this healing path with my clients -helping them find ease and fulfillment by equipping them with the tools they need to reconnect to themselves for self discovery and lasting change.

How I work

At the core of my approach to therapy is a belief that all nervous systems have the ability to transform and heal.

My Brain-based, Body-centered, Trauma-informed therapy integrates all of you. In sessions together, we will first explore all of the triggers - internal, external and relational - that are keeping you feeling stuck and trapped.

I will guide you through a creative process where we will map your different nervous system states bringing deeper awareness, compassion and insight into the habitual learned survival patterns that lead you down the spiral of stress and overwhelm.

Our exploration together will include discovering new options, new patterns of movement, thoughts, feelings and behavior that will bring more balance and regulation into your system and will be most effective for re-wiring these self-defeating body-mind cycles for you.

Through our work together we will explore your life-affirming resources and resiliencies, amplify all of your unique ‘super-powers’, and build your capacity for greater vitality and joy.

This integrative holistic process will equip your body-brain-mind with newfound skills and confidence you need to experience inner ease and calm, and reconnect to your life in a meaningful way again.

Therapy with me is…

  • Many of today’s solutions for anxiety and depression primarily include cognitive-behavioral talk therapy and one-size-fits-all approaches leading so many to feel like they haven’t really changed or made much progress at all.

    I know that your circumstances are specific to you, so every step we take is tailored to you, truly respecting the uniqueness of your nervous system - and always with your end goal in mind. Learn more.

  • How I show up for you is one of my guiding principles. I choose to have a smaller caseload and a schedule where I am not rushing to see clients back-to-back. It is integral to my work with you that I embody my core value which is connecting from an open-hearted grounded presence. This is where I listen and attune thoroughly to you, guiding you from the depth of my experience towards the transformation you desire. Learn more.

  • I provide skillful, compassionate, empowering support for you throughout the entire Therapy journey. Your goals, needs and healing are always at the foreground of our work together. I am dedicated to holding this desired vision of possibility for you, your relationships and your life, and am committed to helping you achieve it. Learn more.

  • The Therapy Relationship is the ground from which the ‘magic’ happens. I provide a space of safety and trust, and together with curiosity and compassion, we collaborate every step of the way to meet your desired goals. My approach is highly interactive, uplifting, hopeful, and always centered on your needs and healing throughout the entire process. Learn more.

I am dedicated to helping people reconnect to themselves to discover what brings them joy and meaning in life.

I have always been fascinated by the human psyche. As a daughter of a psychologist dad and a psychotherapist mom the language of healing has always been a part of my life. That combined with my love of all things movement, dance and the creative process led me on this path…

My training in Trauma-informed, Body-centered Psychotherapy and NeuroMovement® work combined with over 25 years experience helping people heal - means I have the expertise you need and deserve when healing your anxiety and depression. But at the end of the day, you want to know you’re working with someone who “gets” what it means to be an individual struggling with chronic stress, overwhelm, worry and self-doubt, right? I get it because I’ve lived it myself. I have intimate experience with painful loss in my life. And I know what it feels like when sometimes you just want to quit because it all feels like too much.

When we work together, you wont just get a trained therapist. You’ll get someone who truly understands what you’re going through.

I have done extensive personal growth and healing work and I know firsthand that transformation can truly happen within the therapy relationship when working with the right therapist. The right therapist is both someone who has been there and understands what you’re going through and has the advanced training, expertise and skills to help you navigate your struggles to get ‘unstuck’. And together we will guide you into new possibilities for yourself and your life.

Let’s talk in a complementary consultation about how my unique style of body-based psychotherapy can help re-shape your nervous system and help you reconnect to your joy and purpose in life.

I’m here to help with…

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Grief & loss

  • Trauma

  • Self-esteem

  • Difficult Life Transitions

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Chronic pain & illness

My Training, Education & Experience

  • Bachelors of Arts in Dance (Sonoma State University 1994)

    Masters in Social Work (San Jose State University 2006)

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California (#LCSW107759)

    Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Washington State (#LW60163603)

  • Certified NeuroMovement® Practitioner and former Assistant Trainer in Professional Training Programs

    Certified Teacher of The Feldenkrais Method® of Somatic Education

    Certification in Applied Polyvagal Trauma-informed Therapy

    Foundations Level, Biology of Stress, Biology of Letting Go, and Biology of Healing modules in the Biology of Trauma Certification Program

    Training in Somatic Trauma Healing

    Mindfulness Meditation and Psychotherapy trained

    Trained Hospice Grief Counselor and Volunteer

    Certification in Psychoanalytic infant observation

    Trainings in Creative Arts Therapies

  • Somatic and NeuroMovement® Private Practice across the Pacific Northwest and Sonoma County working with adults and children since 1997

    NeuroMovement Practitioner working with children and adults at the Anat Baniel Method of Neuromovement® Center in San Rafael, Ca (2018-2022)

    Teacher and Assistant Trainer in ABM NeuroMovement® International Professional Training Programs (California, Las Vegas and Arizona 2012-2022)

    NeuroMovement® Practitioner working with children and families at The Scandinavian Neuro-Developmental Movement Center in Fredensberg, Denmark (2015-2018)

    Clinical Social Worker, Counselor and Case Manager working with children and families at LCS Permanency Planning Foster Care/Adoption Non-profit in Seattle, WA (2007-2010)

    Grief Counselor intern at Hospice of Petaluma (2005-2006)

    Crisis Counselor intern at Casa Grande High School Petaluma, Ca (2004-2005)

Your needs matter too.

You are worth the investment.