Meet Emma Sartwell

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emma Sartwell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emma, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?
Self-care is a huge part of my life, and it makes all the difference when it comes to the level of clarity and focus I bring to my clients. My self-care looks like meditation, taking walks alone and with my husband and family, and stretching. I try to prioritize these activities every day, but I don’t punish myself when I can’t find the time. Meditation is particularly central for me: I use and consult a lot of different resources to make the most of my meditative time, which is often influenced by Jewish practices. I use apps like Headspace and Insighttimer (you can find Somatic Spiritual Counseling on there!) and spiritual books (some of my favorite authors are Pema Chodron, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, or Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi). I put a lot of emphasis on mindfulness in my day-to-day life, but I like to balance it out with a little mind*less*ness too… watching TV, chatting with loved ones, resting. I don’t think complete asceticism is productive for me– I want to enjoy my life, so balancing different types of pleasure (both instant and delayed gratification) make me able to show up for myself and others in a more meaningful way.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am passionate about bringing to my clients the tools that have helped me the most in my own journey towards greater sanity, peace, regulation, healthy relationships, and empowerment. We offer body-based couples counseling, Somatic Experiencing, contemplative coaching, and more. I feel that my work is all about showing up authentically in the moment and using the tools I have to meet you exactly where my clients are in a way that is spontaneous and fresh.​​​ As far as new things from Somatic Spiritual Counseling, we are constantly expanding our team and our offerings! For example, we just brought a somatic archetypal coach on board. We are also offering our employees more benefits, such as supplemental insurance options and group retreats. I am so excited for the future of my personal counseling practice as well as the future of my company.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I have been deeply committed to a path of healing and inner growth. This has brought me into contact with many amazing modalities and teachers. The three teachers/learning experiences that jump to mind are from the work of the Tibetan Buddhist Chögyam Trungpa, the shamanic healing practices of Dr. Barnaby Ruhe, and the Jewish mysticism practiced by Rabbi Zvi Ish-Shalom, PhD. I’ve also had the pleasure of learning about body-based meditation, tantric practices, yoga, somatic experiencing, among other spiritual bodies of knowledge. For folks just beginning their careers, my biggest piece of advice would be to do your own work. Look inside, find a practitioner that clicks with you, and develop your own self-care routine and spiritual practice. Knowing yourself is more vital than knowing any particular technique or theory.

How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is often someone who has done a lot of talk therapy, and feels like there is a deeper level of healing available, but they don’t know how to access it. Maybe they know their story intellectually, but they don’t know how to find safety in the body or release long-lasting habits. I am dedicated to helping people access that often-hidden level. Interest in meditation, yoga, or spiritual practice — regardless of experience level — is a huge plus. Openness is half the battle. I love to see clients who are committed to self-awareness and relationship-building. The pathways that open up can lead to healing in unexpected places. I want to help people realize their wish to be embodied: to feel more at home with themselves and on this planet. My diverse training is a toolkit that can open doors in many different directions. The surprise of the journey is something my clients and I really enjoy.

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