Somatic Therapy & Counselling in Surrey, BC & Online

I offer urgent debrief and reduced counselling rates for frontline workers during BC's Opioid Emergency. Learn more→

Andree Patenaude, BA, RTC
Relational Somatic Therapist (RST)
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC)
ACCT Registration #3270

I believe we are all part of a grand web of connection and reciprocity, and that each of us has gifts to offer in creating more loving and safe communities. I help people return to a sense of ease and connection in their inner world, and remember their unique gifts.

My gift is in deeply witnessing and reflecting the subtleties of human experience (emotion, energy, and behavioural patterns), and my approach to therapy is deep but lighthearted, caring and intuitive (we'll probably have some laughs). Together we walk towards processing trauma in a way that respects your sensitivity. I'm not interested in telling you how to feel or labeling your experience - I'm interested in your humanness.

I'm trained as a Relational Somatic Therapist & Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC), and currently studying in a 2 year program for certification as a Clinical Somatic Educator. My undergraduate degree is in Human Geography and Anthropology - meaning I love people, community, and nature, and I'm curious about our place in the world (and the universe!). I know that there are myriad ways to make meaning in this world, and there's never just one right way of thinking about anything. I've been exploring the realm of consciousness, beliefs, archetypes, and identity for as long as I can remember, and I practice cultivating my own connection with Spirit everyday.

I've spent the last decade focused on community resilience and community development. I've worked with people from many different walks of life, including folks struggling with mental health and addictions, young leaders, seniors, adults with developmental 'disabilities,' & neurodivergent kids & youth. I have always cared deeply about humanity, and my work has included years of frontline disaster response and street-level harm reduction and mental health work with unhoused people.

I started Sacred Somatic Therapy because somatic therapy and spirituality have walked me through my own experiences of severe dissociation, mental health crisis, burnout and relational anxiety. I know what it's like to have panic attacks, insomnia, depression, and to feel the burning pressure of frustration in your body. There is a way through!

Why Sacred? Because I believe we are all connected, and I want you to know that whatever your beliefs about the universe and Spirit/Source/God, they are welcome in our sessions as a guiding star for healing and understanding what it means to be human.

Hi! I'm Andree.

I help sensitive leaders learn about their nervous system responses & process trauma in order to reduce anxiety and prevent burnout. I offer online and in-person somatic therapy sessions in Surrey, BC.

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Andree smiling from Sacred Somatic Therapy

Are you looking for a sense of inner peace and joy? I work with folks who are tired of just talking about 'the problem' in therapy, and prefer a mind-body-spirit approach. I help people learn about their nervous system responses, renegotiate trauma, and listen to their inner guidance. Together we can build better relationships, address anxiety & depression, heal trauma, chronic pain, work with anger, and more. Somatic therapy supports you in connecting to yourself, including your innate gifts and inner resources . Book a free consult -

"Andree’s energy is calm and encouraging.

She is very understanding. For someone who is uncomfortable being vulnerable in front of others, I feel very safe with her. She creates a warm, comforting environment where all feelings and thoughts are allowed to be felt and heard. Andree is a wonderful listener and a caring person. Like a warm fire to sit beside on a cold night, she has been comforting and supportive through my recovery journey."

Qualifications

& Experience

Somatic Dreaming Facilitator 2024
Clinical Somatic Educator in Training - Homebody Healing (ISMETA)
Registered Therapeutic Counsellor (RTC) - Orca Institute 2021
Relational Somatic Therapist - Opening to Grace Relational Somatic Therapy Certification 2021
Bachelor of Arts in Human Geography w/ a focus on community resilience, disaster management, systems change & 'homelessness.'
15+ years in community work, mental health & outreach with folks from many walks of life.
Former frontline harm reduction worker, crisis response worker & program manager during the triple-threat pandemic, housing crisis & Opioid Emergency
Additional Trainings
Standard First Aid with CPR
Compassion & Vulnerability Wisdom Cycle - DIMA Mystery School 2022
Cellular Transformation - Workshops & Trainings with Jennifer Millar 2017 - ongoing
San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training 2022
Mental Health First Aid 2019
Motivational Interviewing 2017
Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention 2018

Guiding
Philosophies

Proven Methods

Somatic Therapy is a scientifically-proven and powerful counselling modality which blends nervous system regulation, attachment work, and trauma therapy to support new neural pathways of transformation in the brain.

Ancient Roots

Somatic work celebrates our interconnectedness. This profound way of connecting to ourselves has been long-held by wisdom traditions and Indigenous people throughout the world. This work is not new, but is now being acknowledged and conceptualized by our modern-day science and psychology paradigms.

A body-based counselling modality

In session, we will talk about what is happening for you, and then create space for the body to guide us. With your consent we will experiment with somatic practices. (I do not practice somatic bodywork, though I may offer touch with your prior consent.)

Trusting Emergence

We slow down to the present moment, tending to sensation, symbolism, movement and visualization. We provide an opportunity to release 'stuck' trauma energy - creating a sense of spaciousness. It is into this spaciousness that we can envision new possibilities for our own lives, relationships, and the collective.

Honouring our parts

We are each composed of many parts and patterns, and each of them have a purpose and function in our life. Many archetypes show up in our work - the inner child, the inner critic, and many more. We make space for each part to express and work with them to provide updated information in alignment with your desired experience.

Scope of practice

Somatic therapy can provide a safe space for exploring a variety of life experiences, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, burnout, and much more. On its own, somatic therapy is not a treatment for addiction, personality disorders or other psychiatric diagnoses. However, if this the case for you, the techniques for nervous-system regulation can be incredibly helpful component as part of a larger circle of support. In our consultation, we will discuss the scope of this work and whether it might support your specific life experience.

My role in sessions

My role is to hold a compassionate mirror and non-judgemental stance as we guide you in exploring the different parts of yourself. I hold space for you to explore current life challenges and approach past traumas as they live in the body. I support you to consider what you want to create in your life. We prioritize anchoring in your strengths, resources, and unique gifts.

Deconstructing 'Expertise'

In our sessions, you are the expert of your own experience. I am honoured to hold space and direction as you navigate your inner world. Beyond our time together, you will take home somatic philosophy, techniques and strategies for you to learn how to track your own activation cycles and practice somatic alchemy at home. Ultimately, the goal is that we bring these tools and teachings into our lives, families, and communities as shared knowledge and practice.

Get in touch

I love to hear from you!

Somatic Therapy & Counselling in Surrey, BC & Online

I offer urgent debrief and reduced counselling rates for frontline workers during BC's Opioid Emergency. Learn more→

Guiding Philosophies

Get in touch

Guiding
Philosophies