If you're looking for a somatic therapist in Ottawa because your body feels stuck on high alert, or switched off altogether, you're not alone.
At Vistas Psychotherapy & Wellness, Amanda Carver, R.P., offers body-aware, nervous-system-informed psychotherapy for adults and teens, in person by appointment at 317 Catherine St. and virtually across Ontario. Breath, movement, and sensory awareness are invited into the conversation at your pace, with no touch and no pressure to go faster than feels right.
Sandra Gautreau, R.P., also offers somatic-informed psychotherapy virtually across Ontario. You're welcome to book a free consult to see whether this kind of care fits, and with whom.
Think of your nervous system as a sensitive volume dial. Sometimes it's turned up so high that everything feels loud. Sometimes it drops so low that everything feels far away. This work is about learning how your dial moves, and finding kinder ways to turn it up or down.
Somatic therapy at Vistas is psychotherapy that includes your body. You still talk, and you also notice: the tightness in your shoulders when a topic comes up, the breath that goes shallow, the urge to go quiet or far away. Together, you get curious about what your nervous system is doing and try small, practical ways to support it.
Sessions may weave together:
Amanda's training includes Neural Desensitization & Integration Training (NDIT), the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model with Jan Winhall, EMDR (as an EMDRIA Certified Therapist), and an RYT-200 yoga teacher certification. Sandra Gautreau, R.P., also weaves somatic-informed work into her psychotherapy, offered virtually. For a fuller look at the approach, including top-down and bottom-up tools, see somatic therapy at Vistas.
Somatic therapy at Vistas is talk-based and non-touch. It isn't massage or hands-on bodywork, and our therapists are not certified Somatic Experiencing practitioners. It's also not a diagnostic service: Vistas provides psychotherapy, not psychological assessments or diagnoses. If you need diagnostic clarity, a psychologist or physician can work alongside your therapy.
You might be drawn to somatic therapy if:
People often reach out while navigating:
Some people come in naming anxiety or panic. Others simply describe tightness, poor sleep, or feeling disconnected from themselves. Either is a fine place to start. If anxiety or trauma are central, you might also explore anxiety therapy in Ottawa or EMDR therapy in Ottawa.
A first session focuses less on fixing and more on getting to know your nervous system, and on you getting a feel for whether this is the right fit.
You might notice:
Together, you might start mapping:
EMDR may be explored later when appropriate, with readiness assessed together. You're always welcome to say "that's too much" or "can we slow down?" The work is collaborative, not a test of how much you can handle.
Over time, sessions often include brief, practical tools you can take with you:
The aim is for your system to move a little more easily between activation and rest, instead of getting stuck at one extreme. Experiences vary, and no particular outcome is promised. Every practice is optional, and psychotherapy at Vistas never involves touch.
Cultural safety means we honour your autonomy and your relationships, your family, community ties, and the knowledge systems that support you, if and when you choose to bring them in. You're welcome to request an Indigenous therapist or a culturally informed therapist if that feels important for your comfort or connection.
Office (by appointment): Vistas Psychotherapy & Wellness, 317 Catherine St., Ottawa, ON
| Service | Fee | Billed as |
|---|---|---|
| Somatic-informed psychotherapy (Amanda Carver, R.P., or Sandra Gautreau, R.P.) | $150–170 per session | Psychotherapy |
For all current fees, see Services & Fees, and for how each service is billed, see How We Bill Our Services.
Sessions still involve talking, but your body also gets a seat at the table. You might notice breath, muscle tension, or posture during difficult topics, then try small body-aware practices to support regulation. The focus isn't on doing exercises correctly; it's on helping your nervous system find a bit more room to move.
Yes. Amanda Carver, R.P., sees clients by appointment at 317 Catherine St. In-person times are limited, and virtual sessions are available in between or as an alternative.
No. Some people are in the middle of medical or psychological assessments; others simply notice that life feels harder than it used to. If diagnostic clarity matters to you, your therapist can help you think through consulting a physician or psychologist alongside therapy.
No. Somatic therapy at Vistas is talk-based and non-touch. Body awareness comes through noticing sensations, breath, and movement, always with your consent. Massage therapy is a separate service offered in Toronto.
No. Our therapists are not certified Somatic Experiencing practitioners. Amanda's somatic work draws on NDIT, the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, polyvagal-informed practice, and yoga-informed grounding, and Sandra also integrates somatic-informed work into psychotherapy.
Yes. Both Amanda and Sandra offer somatic-informed therapy by secure video across Ontario. Many grounding and regulation tools, like orienting to the room, lengthening the exhale, or noticing your feet on the floor, work well over video.
Often, yes. Some people pair psychotherapy with one-on-one yoga instruction or virtual mindfulness coaching. These are separate, non-regulated services billed on their own, and your therapist can help you think about how the pieces might fit together.
These are educational resources and are not a substitute for individualized clinical care.
If your body keeps sending you messages, whether tension, numbness, racing thoughts, or shutdown, you're welcome to reach out. A free consult is the first step, in Ottawa or online.
This page is for general information only and does not replace individualized mental health care, medical advice, or psychological diagnosis. It does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Outcomes vary and are not guaranteed. Vistas is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are in crisis, at risk of harm, or unable to stay safe, please call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline), call 9-1-1, or contact your local crisis service before reaching out for non-urgent care.