ABOUT

I’m Lara Holmes, MA, LCMHC, a somatic therapist with over two decades of experience in body-based and integrative healing work. I offer holistic somatic mental health counseling in Vermont, and somatic integration work with individuals across the globe.

My work is rooted in the understanding that healing is not linear or purely cognitive. The somatic healing path is embodied, multi-dimensional, and intuitive — shaped by personal history, nervous system patterns, ancestral influences, and the deeper intelligence that lives within the body. Rather than imposing change, this work supports a natural unfolding into one’s own inherent capacity for regulation, clarity, and wholeness.

The term somatic refers to the body. Somatic therapy brings the body into the healing conversation, recognizing it as a central source of information, memory, and transformation. By integrating body awareness with emotional and psychological inquiry, somatic work supports change that is lived — not just understood — across body, mind, and inner life.

My own relationship with somatic healing began at the age of nineteen, when I discovered yoga and became fascinated by how specific postures could evoke emotion, presence, and states of deep connection. This curiosity led me to India in 2005, where I completed my first yoga teacher training. What began as a personal practice grew into a lifelong professional path.

Over the years, I deepened my training through somatic movement therapy with the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (2010), earned a Master’s degree in Psychology and Counseling from Goddard College, and became a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Vermont. I also completed extensive study in Internal Family Systems (IFS), which I weave thoughtfully with somatic principles to support integration at both the nervous system and relational levels.

At this stage of life — as a professional, wife, home-maker, mother of two, and step-mother of three — my own somatic process continues to evolve. I do not believe healing is something we “complete.” I believe it is something we continue to meet with honesty, skill, and support as life deepens and changes. I bring this lived understanding into my work with clients.

I was raised on a fourth-generation apple farm in southern Vermont, an experience that shaped my respect for cycles, land, and the intelligence of natural processes. I continue to live a simple, holistic life grounded in relationship, movement, nourishment, and ongoing self-inquiry.

My approach is relational, trauma-informed, and deeply respectful of each person’s unique pace and capacity. I work with individuals who are insightful and capable, yet seeking a more embodied, integrated way of living — one that supports both inner depth and real-world responsibility.

-Lara Holmes LCMHC, RSMT, RYT

Confidential sessions are offered through my secure video-chat portal from my office in Southern Vermont USA. I'm either at my desk with you virtually or sometimes we shift down to the floor yoga area for yoga postures/movement.

I recommend either sitting at a desk and/or setting yourself up with your device on the floor with a yoga mat and pillows or on a cozy couch, chair or bed. Through body-centered awareness, including breath work and contemplative practices, we engage in somatic healing to tap into the semi-conscious areas that need your attention for a profound body mind soul transformation, allowing you to transcend your pain and suffering. We may do some active yoga postures to aid in your inquiry and Nervous System regulation. This is always optional. 

A safe container and supportive healing presence  facilitates insights and unburdening. I work with you to integrate the healing we find in our sessions, so you may experience long-lasting change and benefit from effective mental/somatic health counseling. 

Starting out with our work together I like to schedule weekly or every other week. Eventually the work can graduate to monthly or as needed. 

I cannot highlight enough how important it is to engage in activities outside of therapy that aid in the integration of what happens in the session. Some example are journaling, nature walks, conscious movement such as yoga, tai chi or dance, connecting with a friend or mentor, a support group or meditation. 

We can discover and transform wounds and blind spots into vitality, wealth, meaning, and joy through the profound practice of body mind soul transformation. By listening to the language of the body and elevating this understanding into consciousness, we create insight into your wounds and enhance your capacity to sit with and move through them.

Most of us spend a large part of our lives hiding, trying to protect, deny, and suppress our wounds in various ways, which only adds to our suffering. When you work with me, we shine a compassionate light into the dark corners of physical pain, health issues, emotional patterns, trauma, spiritual questions, and interpersonal difficulties, with the body as our guide.