Inspiring Conversations with Caitlin Bergh LCSW
Check out my recent interview with Voyage LA.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Bergh.
Hi Caitlin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ll start the story with what’s happening now. I work as a therapist in private practice in West LA with a focus on Somatic Experiencing (SE). While “talk” therapy starts with thoughts, Somatic Experiencing starts with the body.
By starting with what is happening in the body now, SE connects us deeply to the present moment and to the nervous system. While “story” is part of the healing process, it is not the main focus and is not even necessary to work in a somatic way.
Prior to discovering my passion for SE, I was (and still am) working as a DBT therapist at an outpatient clinic in West LA. I view DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) as essential framework that I wish everyone had the opportunity to learn. It empowers you to become intentional about skills you have always had, but perhaps didn’t realize you had. Now, I enjoy combining SE and DBT, as well as other approaches, in my evolving style as a therapist. I am excited about an upcoming training in Internal Family Systems this summer, as this is another modality that allows us to truly be present and connected to all parts of ourselves.
It is important to me that the goal of my work with clients is not just to “improve functioning.” Someone can be “functioning” on the outside while being fully disconnected from their bodies and even from their desires. My work is about connecting to your vitality and living an embodied life in the moment. Not all approaches to health or mental health value vitality, and I believe the world needs a lot more of it.
At this point, I view SE as a spiritual journey and a return to nature for all beings. We are nature, and when we forget that or become stuck in our heads and disconnected from our bodies and each other, we suffer. The beauty of SE is remembering who we are.
I have been so lucky to train through Somatic Experiencing International over the past few years and, as a result, I have become connected to a beautiful, sprawling network of healers across Los Angeles – from acupuncturists to body workers to therapists. The sheer number of us who are out there working in a healing capacity is humbling and inspiring. There is so much capacity inside of us as humans, and inside of our LA community, for healing and connection. As I once heard at an SE training, “healing belongs to all of us.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Even though I have had a body my whole life (crazy to think about!), it took me a while to start to notice it in an embodied way. I have now learned the difference between receiving information from my body – “my chest is tight” – and sensing into it – feeling the tightness in my chest and being with that tightness as it unfolds. I have learned that being embodied in any experience is how we go deeper into it, no matter what the experience is.
I’ve always really, really wanted to go deeper into life, but I did not know how or even feel safe to do so for a long time. This is pretty common, unfortunately, which is why so much of SE work is to help clients build capacity to experience more. So yes, it took a long, long time to make the leap into body-based work. Looking back, I can see that I was trying to get there. I used to do triathlons, I was an avid hiker, I became a yoga teacher – moving was always such a big part of my life because it is where I felt most connected to my body. Now, I have learned that I can deepen the connection to my body no matter what I am doing (which is a big relief, because triathlons require a ton of gear).
I’d like to add that I am not a person who is done healing or evolving. This road that I am grateful to be on does not have an end. I used to have the idea that therapists or health professionals are “evolved” and “ok,” and the rest of us just need help. That’s just not true, nor would I want it to be! I am deeply engaged in my own healing process with the help of incredible SE practitioners. Every chance I have to go deeper into my own experience is one I will gladly take, and fortunately that also allows me to go deeper with my clients.
Some things that I have found supportive while on this path are painting, reading books by inspiring healers, time in nature, my dogs, and sound baths.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a therapist in private practice in West LA. I offer in-person and online sessions.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you’d like to explore therapy with me, you can contact me through my website at www.caitlinbergh.com. I am also excited to talk to fellow humans on healing journeys about books or experiences, so please reach out if you’d like to connect.
Pricing:
$200 per hour with limited sliding scale spots available
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.caitlinbergh.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/caitlinberghlcsw