Why Somatic Therapy?
Trauma, stress, and grief often live in the body long after difficult experiences have passed.
Somatic therapy helps you understand how your nervous system responds to stress, develop tools for regulation, and build a deeper sense of safety within yourself. When the mind and body begin working together, healing becomes more sustainable.
Let’s begin the journey of Metanoia together
Lauren Velez, LCSW
Founder/Therapist
With nearly a decade of experience in trauma-informed mental health care, Lauren supports women and young adults navigating anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, grief, and life transitions.
Her approach combines evidence-based psychotherapy with somatic practices that help clients move beyond coping and toward lasting healing.
Leda Moreno, ACSW
Therapist
My name is Leda Moreno, and I am an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW). I am passionate about supporting individuals through life transitions, loss, and uncertain seasons. With experience in end-of-life care, human resources, caregiver burnout, and navigating chronic illness, I bring warmth, curiosity, and respect to each person’s unique story. I have a special interest in breast cancer survivorship and understand how diagnosis, treatment, and life after cancer can affect your emotions, relationships, and sense of self.
My approach is collaborative and tailored to you, creating space to process what you are carrying, and to create a path toward healing that honors your needs, strengths, and readiness.
Vernalyn Gonzales, LCSW
Therapist
My name is Vernalyn Gonzales and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, perinatal mental health concerns, chronic illness, caregiver burnout, and blended family dynamics. I also have a special passion for supporting stepmothers through the emotional challenges, relationship changes, and identity shifts that can come with building a blended family.
Together, we will make sense of what you are experiencing, build practical coping tools, strengthen your confidence, and help you move toward a life that feels more grounded, connected, and hopeful.
Our Core Values
and consent
Your comfort and autonomy guide every step of therapy.
care
Emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions are addressed together.
We hold space with warmth, steadiness, and nonjudgment.
Clinical best practices meet somatic tools for practical healing.
and pacing
Therapy moves at your rhythm; goals are co‑created and flexible.
and consent
Your comfort and autonomy guide every step of therapy.
and presence
We hold space with warmth, steadiness, and nonjudgment.
and pacing
Therapy moves at your rhythm; goals are co‑created and flexible.
care
Emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions are addressed together.
and embodiment
Clinical best practices meet somatic tools for practical healing.
Your Path to Healing
Taking the first step toward therapy can feel vulnerable. Whether youre navigating anxiety, trauma, grief, burnout, chronic illness, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, we re here to meet you with compassion, curiosity, and support.
Healing doesn’t happen all at once. It unfolds one step at a time.
STEP 1
Schedule a Complimentary ConsultationWe begin with a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about what brings you to therapy, answer your questions, and help you determine whether our approach feels like the right fit. This is an opportunity to connect, explore your needs, and ensure you feel comfortable moving forward.
STEP 2
Begin with anInitial Assessment
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know one another more deeply. We'll discuss your history, current challenges, goals, and the experiences that have shaped you. Together, we'll begin identifying patterns, strengths, and areas where support may be most helpful.
STEP 3
Create a Personalized Planfor Healing
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. We work collaboratively to create a treatment plan that reflects your unique needs, goals, and pace. Whether we're focusing on anxiety, trauma, grief, chronic illness, burnout, or life transitions, your care is tailored specifically to you.
STEP 4
Build Safety, Resilience &Lasting Change
Through trauma-informed, somatic-based therapy, we'll help you develop practical tools, strengthen nervous system regulation, process difficult experiences, and reconnect with yourself in meaningful ways. Our goal is not simply symptom relief, but helping you cultivate greater self-understanding, resilience, and a deeper sense of well-being.
Healing Happens One
Step at a Time
You dont have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Wherever you are in your journey, we re here to support you with compassion, evidence-based care, and a wholeperson approach to healing.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule your complimentary consultation today.
Schedule a Consultation
Taking the first step can feel overwhelming.
We’re here to make it easier.
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to ask questions, learn about our approach, and determine whether Metanoia Therapy & Wellness is the right fit for your needs.
Metanoia [meh-ta-noy-a] Greek (n.) The journey of changing one’s mind, heart, spirit, or way of life