Somatic Psychotherapy San Diego
Brandi Ducote, LMFT, LAADC-CA, SEP
Please note: I currently have a waitlist for all new clients. If you are interested in being added to the waitlist, please use the contact form below.
Get to know me
Hello! I'm Brandi Ducote, owner of SPSD. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (license # 87040), Licensed Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (LAADC) and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) in the state of California.
I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at San Diego State University and Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy at Alliant International University. I completed my practicum year as a Grief and Bereavement Counselor at San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine from 2011-2012. I then worked for 10+ years in Substance Use Disorder treatment, where I discovered the connection between addictive issues and trauma. In the pursuit of better understanding how to treat trauma, I began training with Somatic Experiencing International in 2019 and became certified as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) in 2021. I have since fallen in love with somatic therapy and remain active in the Somatic Experiencing community as an assistant in local trainings.
I'm passionate about the work that I get to do every day and I enjoy working through a holistic and body-based lens. As someone who has benefitted from therapy personally, I understand the strength and courage it takes to seek help. I aim to create a safe space for you to explore what is most important to you, work through and resolve anything that has been holding you back from achieving your goals.
I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at San Diego State University and Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy at Alliant International University. I completed my practicum year as a Grief and Bereavement Counselor at San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine from 2011-2012. I then worked for 10+ years in Substance Use Disorder treatment, where I discovered the connection between addictive issues and trauma. In the pursuit of better understanding how to treat trauma, I began training with Somatic Experiencing International in 2019 and became certified as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) in 2021. I have since fallen in love with somatic therapy and remain active in the Somatic Experiencing community as an assistant in local trainings.
I'm passionate about the work that I get to do every day and I enjoy working through a holistic and body-based lens. As someone who has benefitted from therapy personally, I understand the strength and courage it takes to seek help. I aim to create a safe space for you to explore what is most important to you, work through and resolve anything that has been holding you back from achieving your goals.
Services
Individual/Couples/Family Therapy
-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder -Anxiety, panic attacks, perfectionism -Depression, grief/loss, anticipatory grief -Substance abuse, chemical dependency -Anger -Relationship distress -Boundary setting
Learn MoreRates & Insurance
Learn MoreSomatic Experiencing® and Co-Regulation Touch/Tablework
Learn MoreF.A.Q
What types of concerns do you treat?
I specialize in working with older adolescents and adults who struggle with issues related to complex trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, depression, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, grief/loss, perfectionism, substance abuse, and relationship distress.
I enjoy working with individuals of varying backgrounds and abilities, including those who identify as highly sensitive (HSPs), and am LGBTQIA+ friendly.
I enjoy working with individuals of varying backgrounds and abilities, including those who identify as highly sensitive (HSPs), and am LGBTQIA+ friendly.
What does a typical session look like?
As we discuss presenting problems and life events that trigger emotional pain, you will be invited to notice any physiological (body-based) responses that occur during the session.
Doing so allows access to the natural survival impulses (fight, flight, freeze) that became thwarted during the original event(s), as well as the survival-based beliefs that were formed in response to the event(s). There is then an opportunity to fully process and complete these survival responses (through the use of movement, vocalization, imagery, boundary exploration exercises, etc.), leading to a discharge/release of any stuck survival energy and a shift in beliefs about the world, self, and others.
We may also choose to incorporate co-regulation touch skills into our work together.
Doing so allows access to the natural survival impulses (fight, flight, freeze) that became thwarted during the original event(s), as well as the survival-based beliefs that were formed in response to the event(s). There is then an opportunity to fully process and complete these survival responses (through the use of movement, vocalization, imagery, boundary exploration exercises, etc.), leading to a discharge/release of any stuck survival energy and a shift in beliefs about the world, self, and others.
We may also choose to incorporate co-regulation touch skills into our work together.
How long is a session?
Individual sessions are typically 50 minutes. Couples and family sessions are 80 minutes.
What if I can't make it to a scheduled session?
Life happens! Just let me know that you need to cancel or reschedule a session prior to 24 hours of the scheduled service time, otherwise you will be responsible for the session fee.
Do you offer telehealth/video sessions?
Yes! Both in-person and telehealth appointments are available Tuesday through Friday weekly.
What treatment modalities do you use?
The primary modality that I use in my practice is Somatic Experiencing, which can include Polyvagal Theory and Co-Regulation Touch/Tablework. I also integrate Motivational Interviewing, Attachment Theory, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy into my work.
What is co-regulation touch/tablework? How can it help?
Those of us who have experienced shock trauma or developmental trauma may hold stress in our physiology that is not congruent with our present circumstances. Co-regulation touch/table work can be a powerful way to quiet the internal alarm systems that signal threat.
What is co-regulation touch/tablework?
What is co-regulation touch/tablework?
- A different way of sending a message of safety back to the Central Nervous System (CNS)
- An invitation to the parasympathetic nervous system to come online, reducing sympathetic activation, turning on “rest and digest” systems and turning off “readiness” systems in the adrenal glands and other organs, brain stem, digestive system, muscles, fascia
- A regulation-based approach with the aim of increasing capacity to reduce activation
- Skills development
- Ability to get a little activated and settle
- Ability to tolerate uncomfortable sensations
- Ability to be a curious observer
- Greater overall sense of well-being through increased coherence in the bodily systems
- Ability to access a state of internal flow/rhythm
- Ability to identify the neutral and positive aspects of life
- Increase capacity for joy, pleasure, connectedness, intimacy, belonging
What forms of payment are accepted?
I am not in network with any insurance providers and will not bill insurance directly. Payment can be made via debit/credit card, Venmo, or cash. If you would like for me to provide a Superbill to submit to your insurance provider for fee reimbursement, please mention it.
Contact
- 11590 West Bernardo Court, San Diego, CA, USA
- Suite 245
- +1-(858) 286-8875
- BrandiDucote@somaticpsychsd.com
- By appointment only