A Clinical, Trauma-Informed Approach Rooted in the Body

At Deena Hitzke Counseling, our therapeutic approach is grounded in a deep understanding of complex trauma and the ways the body stores unmetabolized experiences. Research in the field of trauma—such as the work of Bessel van der Kolk and others—shows that the body often “keeps the score” long after the mind has moved on. This means that healing does not always begin with verbal storytelling. In fact, for many people, talking about trauma too early can feel overwhelming or even re-traumatizing.

Dr. Deena Hitzke incorporates somatic practices into therapy because the nervous system plays a central role in how trauma is held, expressed, and ultimately resolved. Somatic work helps clients build awareness of internal sensations, regulate their physiological responses, and reconnect with parts of themselves that have been shut down for protection. By learning to notice and name sensations—tightness, pressure, numbness, heat, or movement—you begin processing trauma at the level where it originally occurred: in the body.

 

Safety First: Preparing the Nervous System for Healing

Somatic-based therapy offers a slower, more regulated entry point into trauma work. Before moving into deeper processing methods, such as EMDR, clients build the capacity, stability, and coping tools necessary to stay grounded. This preparation reduces overwhelm and creates a safer, more effective healing experience.

As clients develop nervous-system awareness and regulation skills, their bodies often start to feel safer—and with safety comes increased openness to remembering, understanding, and releasing what has been held. This process unfolds at your pace, supported by a clinician with extensive training in trauma, EMDR, and somatic modalities.

 

A Sensory-Responsive Environment That Supports Regulation

The Mindful Den extends this therapeutic philosophy into the physical environment. Each room is intentionally designed with different sensory elements—lighting, textures, seating, temperature, and sound—allowing clients of all ages to choose the space that best supports their nervous system on any given day. This flexibility is especially valuable for individuals with sensory sensitivities, trauma histories, or emotional overwhelm.

 

This approach is part of our commitment to intuitive, client-centered care: you are given meaningful choice, agency, and collaboration in your healing process. Many clients express that, for the first time, they feel they have permission to choose what their body needs rather than conforming to a one-size-fits-all therapy setting.

At Deena Hitzke Counseling and The Mindful Den, we prioritize safety, regulation, and informed attunement. We meet you where you are—physically, emotionally, and neurologically—and work with you to create a regulated foundation for trauma healing that honors both your body and your story.