Stephanie Dasher, LPC-A (SC) | Charleston & Telehealth Statewide | Somatic & Trauma-informed Counseling.
When “Trauma” Shows Up Day-to-Day
Perhaps your brain knows you're safe, but your body doesn't act like it.
If you've ever felt like intellectually you know you're safe, but your body and actions and words seem out of your own control, it may be that you're responding exactly how a nervous system responds after stress or trauma. There is big trauma, and little trauma. Trauma can include accidents, natural disasters, violent attacks, serious injury, medical emergencies, or the unexpected death of a loved one. It can also include domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, bullying, war, or living in an unstable environment. If our normal coping systems are overwhelmed, if we feel unsafe, or out of control, it can lead to long-term trauma responses.
What is Somatic Therapy?
In somatic trauma therapy, we start by building attunement to your internal signals, finding your boundaries, and what helps you feel grounded. We'll work to cultivate your understanding of the felt sense: the ability to be deeply connected to your internal experience and bodily sensations so you can begin to connect the dots. By gently staying with the body and using small, consent-based shifts, your system learns it can come back down. I base my integrative approach to somatics on Somatic Experiencing, sensorimotor work, and psychotherapy, but the heart of it is simple: you're not alone, you don't have to sprint, and you can go slowly. It's with the slowness that your body begins to believe what you know in your mind.
Everyone Responds to Trauma Differently
Trauma Responses Might Look Like
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Feeling on edge, hypervigilant, or easily startled
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Shutting down, numbing out, or feeling disconnected
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People-pleasing, over-functioning, or never fully relaxing
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Shame/self-criticism (“why am I like this?”)
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Relationship patterns that keep repeating
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PTSD symptoms like intrusive memories, nightmares, or avoidance
What Trauma-Informed Therapy Looks Like Here
At Gnōsis, we use a somatic and trauma-informed approach. That means we work with thoughts and what’s happening in your nervous system (breath, posture, tension, shut-down, bracing, etc.).
We go at the speed your system can actually metabolize (which tends to be more efficient). We’ll use attunement as the guide: if your body signals “too much,” we will slow down. If it signals “numb,” we get curious. If it signals “ready,” we take a small step.
You’re always in charge of pace. You can say “pause,” “slower,” or “not today,” and that becomes the parts of the work where you really begin to learn to connect to your own being.
The goal is to help you build real influence over your stress response through adaptive coping mechanisms, so you can live grounded in the present rather than constantly reacting.
What Sessions Can Include
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Mapping your patterns (triggers, protectors, shutdown/overdrive cycles)
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Body-based tools: grounding, orienting, breath, micro-movement, resourcing
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Increasing your window of tolerance so that hard things feel more approachable/doable
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Trauma-informed relationship work (attachment patterns, conflict responses, “hot/cold” dynamics)
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Making space for what’s true without forcing a deep dive before you’re ready
What happens in the first session?
In the first session, we'll complete an intake assessment to understand your history and what your system is dealing with right now, including stress patterns, triggers, and what helps. We'll also set goals and build a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation and concerns.
How We Work With Trauma
In Person or Online
Charleston: Walk-and-talk sessions (outdoors, low-traffic locations)
South Carolina: online counseling/telehealth
I’m based in the Charleston area and work with clients across Charleston County (including Charleston, Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island, Johns Island, Daniel Island, and North Charleston). I also see clients via telehealth anywhere in South Carolina.
What You'll Invest For Services
Individual Therapy Sessions
Counseling | Virtual or in Person
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length: 50 minutes
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location: In person as Walk & Talk or Virtual
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Professional fee: $135 per session
Couples Therapy Sessions
Counseling | Virtual or in Person
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length: 50 minutes
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location: In person as Walk & Talk or Virtual
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Professional fee: $175 per session
Who's This For?
Somatic-informed trauma therapy is beneficial for many types of trauma and general mental health concerns. You don't have to have experienced trauma to work with a trauma-informed therapist. Trauma-informed therapy is a respectful and collaborative approach to mental health care that benefits many types of mental health concerns.
It can be especially supportive if you feel “high-functioning but internally braced,” burned out, shut down, or stuck in survival mode, including veterans/first responders/healthcare workers and anyone living under chronic stress.
Stephanie Dasher, LPC-A (South Carolina) — under the supervision of Dr. Maia Gill, PhD (SC#1202).
FAQ's
01.
Do I have to tell the whole story for trauma therapy to work?
Not necessarily. We can work with what shows up in the present (sensations, triggers, patterns) and build capacity first.
02.
Why do I keep repeating the same patterns?
Because protective responses can get “stuck," your system learned strategies that once helped you survive, even if they’re costly now.
03.
What is ‘somatic’ trauma therapy?”
Somatic therapy is a form of psychotherapy that includes your felt sense. Felt sense is the lived, in-the-body truth of what's happening right now. In Somatic therapy, we pay attention to the language your body and nervous system speak, and connect it to the mind.
04.
Is trauma therapy only for PTSD?
No. PTSD is one response to trauma, but trauma can also show up as chronic anxiety, numbness, shame cycles, or repeating relationship patterns. It's also a respectful and helpful way to approach all types of mental health concerns.
05.
What if I feel overwhelmed easily?
It's ok to get overwhelmed, particularly in the beginning. We focus on pacing that makes sense and at a speed your system can handle.
06.
How do I know if I need trauma therapy or stress support?