Hi, I’m Charu Seth, a San Jose based Wellness Coach, and if you’ve landed here - chances are you’re curious about how somatic practices can support you!!

Is it through somatic coaching or somatic therapy?

Silicon Valley — where professionals, VC entrepreneurs, couples and families — tell me, “I feel stuck. I’m successful on the outside, but inside, I’m exhausted, anxious, or disconnected.” Now- if that resonates with you, you’re not alone. In this fast-paced, high-pressure environment of Silicon Valley, many of us carry unprocessed stress, tension, or trauma in our bodies.

So, let’s talk through the differences between these two techniques- and help you decide which path might best serve you.

What Is Somatic Coaching?

Think of somatic coaching as a conversation between your body and your goals. It’s future-focused, practical, and deeply empowering.

Instead of digging into old wounds, we use body awareness, breathwork, and gentle movement to unlock new patterns — patterns that help you show up as a stronger leader, a more present partner, or simply a calmer, more resilient version of yourself.

It is:

• Focuses: Building resilience, enhancing communication, navigating transitions.
• Techniques: Body scans, breathwork, and mindfulness practices.
• Supports: Professionals and leaders in San Jose who want to prevent burnout, improve creativity, or shift into the next chapter of life, and build stronger, deeper connection(s) with themselves and their loved ones .

In fact, many of my clients come to me after years in intense tech environments . They love the challenge, fast-paced work, and grind - heavy in the tech world brilliant at what they do, but they feel disconnected from their bodies. Through somatic coaching, they learn how to reset, ground, and lead with more presence — both at work and at home.

If you’re curious, after what I’ve shared- I invite you to explore my Relationship Reboot program, where I integrate somatic tools to help individuals and couples reconnect and thrive.

What Is Somatic Therapy?

Now, let’s shift to somatic therapy. Unlike coaching, therapy is about healing the deep-rooted traumas. It’s designed to help you release trauma, process unresolved emotions, and regulate your nervous system with the support of a licensed professional.

This is done by:

• Focusing: Trauma recovery, anxiety reduction, and deep emotional healing.
• Techniques: Somatic Experiencing, guided body awareness, trauma-release exercises.
• Supports: Anyone carrying trauma, chronic stress, or long-standing emotional patterns.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re reliving the same triggers over and over, somatic therapy may be what allows your body to finally let go.

Coaching vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Somatic Coaching vs Somatic Therapy

Primary Goal:

- Somatic Coaching: Future-focused growth, resilience

- Somatic Therapy: Healing trauma and emotional wounds

Practitioner:

- Somatic Coaching: Certified coach

- Somatic Therapy: Licensed therapist

Approach:

- Somatic Coaching: Proactive, skill-building

- Somatic Therapy: Therapeutic, trauma-informed

Duration:

- Somatic Coaching: Short-term or ongoing

- Somatic Therapy: Often longer-term

Best Fit in San Jose:

- Somatic Coaching: Tech professionals, leaders, couples, and families

- Somatic Therapy: Those navigating trauma, anxiety, or burnout

Here’s how I like to explain it:

• Coaching is like building a stronger version of yourself for the road ahead.
• Therapy is like repairing what’s been weighing you down, so you can finally move forward.

Which Is Right for You?

Let me ask you this:

• Do you want to level up your career, improve your relationships, or feel more grounded in the present? → Coaching may be your best fit.
• Do you feel weighed down by past trauma, unresolved stress, or anxiety that just won’t go away? → Therapy might be the path you need.

Remember, there’s no wrong choice. Both somatic coaching and somatic therapy are powerful — it’s simply about meeting you where you are right now.

Why Silicon Valley Is Perfect for Somatic Work

Living in the Bay area- San Jose, and other densely populated technology hubs- you’re surrounded by constant intelligent, hardworking, innovative, creative professionals- where many of them struggle with inner balance, even after being risk-takers, and successful in their careers. This begs to ask the question- but WHY? There’s certainly a misalignment, between the mind and the body, and that’s where somatic practices can be impactful.

How would you like to put to use these quick techniques by::

• Performing grounding exercises at Almaden Quicksilver County Park after a long week.
• Bringing mindful presence into conversations with your partner in some cute Willow Glen or Campbell cafés.
• Or joining a community workshop at a wellness center near Santana Row.

Whether you’re part of the tech world or simply trying to navigate the city’s pace, these practices help you stay centered and connected.

Let’s Take the Next Step Together

If you’re still unsure which path is right for you, that’s okay!! You don’t have to figure it out alone. My work as a Somatic Coach in San Jose is about guiding you to clarity — whether that means coaching, therapy, or even a blend of both.

👉 Want to talk more, or understand what’s the right fit. Book a session with me today, and together let's discover the mind-body alignment you’ve been seeking.

“Our choices and decisions determine the quality of our lives.”

What’s going to be your choice?

Life and Relationship Coach- Charu Seth