(413) 949-9132

FAQ

Where is your office located?

My office is near the center of Amherst.

401 Main Street, #109
Amherst, MA 01002

The office looks like an old Victorian house. There is free parking behind the building. All you need to do is go through the entrance near the driveway. Once you enter, you will find another door on the left at the top of the first flight of stairs. That door will lead you to a hallway that goes to the waiting room.

What are your hours?
My office hours are as follows:
Monday     10:00 am – 6:30 pm ET
Tuesday     9:30 am – 6:30 pm ET
Wednesday  10:00 am – 6:30 pm ET
Thursday     10:30 am – 6:30 pm ET
Friday       10:30 am – 6:30 pm ET
How long are the sessions?
Sessions are a full 60 minutes.
How do I make an initial appointment?

Please call me at (413) 949-9132. You can also email me at sebestasomatics@gmail.com or fill out the contact page.

Then, we can set up a free 20-minute consultation. I can learn about you and your concerns, and you can ask any clarifying questions you may have. We can decide if this feels like a good match.

How do I pay?
I accept cash, checks, and Venmo.
What is your cancellation policy?
I require a 24-hour cancellation notice before our scheduled appointment. If I cannot fill that time slot, I will charge you for half of the session you missed. I take into consideration emergencies and illnesses.
With what age ranges do you work?
I work with adults 18 years and up.
Do you work with people from culturally diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual orientations?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
What do you do in a session?
It depends on the person and their needs. Developing safety and regulation are two key components of the work. There is a lot of listening, asking questions, and tuning into the body. We work with sensations if available to the client and with imagery, emotion, thoughts, and beliefs. There is so much more. It is easier for me to give you a more exact answer to this question during our phone conversation.
How long would I need to do this work?

That depends on your history and your goals. If there is no developmental trauma and the issue is an accident, a few sessions may do it. If there was developmental trauma and you become triggered easily and stay triggered for weeks, the regulation process could take many months, if not a year or two.

Going directly to the big trauma before establishing regulation could hinder the process.

I’m sorry. That was probably not the answer you wanted to hear. Healing is a process. If you can give yourself patience and grace, it will make the process more comfortable and fruitful.

Of course, you decide when you feel you have completed your work!

What is your professional training?

I have certifications in Somatic Experiencing (SEP). Receiving my certificate required participation in a three-year program focused on trauma and working with the impact trauma has on the body. I also have certifications in Touch Skills for Trauma Therapists and Somatic Resilience and Regulation: Developmental Trauma. Each certification required one year of training.

My professional degrees include a B.A. in Fine Arts and a Master’s degree in Education. For over 25 years, I taught first through eighth grade in the school system. Teaching deepened my understanding of a child’s needs and growth process.

This knowledge and experience inform my work as a practitioner.

What do you like to do for playtime?

Juneau, my dog, and I love hiking and backpacking along trails. Dancing, drawing, learning of any kind, and spending time with my kids (adults now) and friends are other things I do in my free time.

My passions also include travel, having adventures, and learning new things.

Would you want to travel to the moon?
Hmm, it could be fascinating and mind-blowing, but I think I prefer earth-focused activities. One could always change their mind, however.