BEGIN YOUR Healing JOURNEY.

Reconnect with Yourself Through Creative and Somatic Exploration

Many of our emotional patterns and relationship struggles are shaped by early experiences held within the nervous system. Through expressive arts and somatic awareness, therapy can open new pathways for healing, insight, and self-understanding.

I work with individuals who may be experiencing:

  • Relationship challenges or recurring relational patterns

  • Anxiety, overwhelm, depression or emotional dysregulation

  • A desire to better understand themselves and their inner world

  • The effects of early life experiences or developmental trauma

  • A sense of feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of their direction

  • A longing for deeper self-connection and authenticity

What a session may look like…

Expressive Arts Therapy

Expressive Arts Therapy uses creative processes such as drawing, writing, movement, imagery, and other forms of artistic expression to explore thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to access through words alone. Creative expression can open new pathways to insight and self-understanding, allowing clients to gently explore their inner world in a nonjudgmental and supportive way.

Through expressive arts, clients often discover new perspectives on their experiences, process emotions more deeply, and reconnect with their natural creativity and sense of possibility. No artistic experience or skill is required—this work is about exploration and expression, not creating “good” art.

Somatic Movement

Somatic movement focuses on developing awareness of the body and the sensations that arise within it. Many of our emotional experiences and relational patterns are held within the nervous system and expressed through the body. By slowing down and noticing physical sensations, movement, posture, and breath, clients can begin to understand how their bodies carry past experiences.

Gentle somatic practices can help regulate the nervous system, increase emotional awareness, and support a deeper sense of connection with oneself. Over time, this awareness can help clients respond to stress and relationships in new ways, rather than repeating familiar patterns held in the body.

Trauma-informed breathwork uses intentional breathing practices to support nervous system regulation and emotional awareness in a safe and supportive way. Breath is closely connected to the body’s stress response, and learning to work with the breath can help create a greater sense of grounding and stability.

In a trauma-informed approach, breath practices are introduced slowly and with careful attention to each client’s comfort and capacity. These practices can help clients release tension, increase presence in the body, and build a greater sense of safety and resilience within themselves.

trauma-Informed Breathwork

Sessions may include:

  • Conversation and reflection

  • Creative exploration through expressive arts

  • Noticing sensations and emotions in the body

  • Gentle curiosity about relational patterns

  • Space for insight, integration, and self-compassion

No artistic experience is required.

My work integrates creative expression, body awareness, and breath practices to support healing that includes mind, body and spirit.

“Trauma is not what happens to you; trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you.”

-Gabor Maté

Heather Murphy is currently working as a pre-licensed Expressive Arts Marriage and Family Therapist and somatics practitioner who helps individuals reconnect with themselves and create meaningful change in their lives.

For the past six years, Heather worked as a coach supporting women through embodiment practices, nervous system regulation, and transformational self-inquiry. Her work is rooted in the understanding that many of our relational patterns, beliefs, and emotional responses are shaped by early life experiences held within the nervous system.

Heather integrates expressive arts therapy, somatic awareness, and relational approaches to help clients explore their inner world in ways that go beyond traditional talk therapy. Through creativity, body-based awareness, and compassionate exploration, clients are able to access deeper insight, process emotions, and develop new possibilities for how they relate to themselves and others.

She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, where she continues to deepen her clinical skills and commitment to supporting healing and growth.

Heather Murphy

Your Questions, Answered

  • At this time, I only offer sessions via telehealth through Zoom. I do plan on getting an office space within the next year in Eureka, CA.

  • Each session is 50 minutes in duration. Couples and family therapy sessions can last up to 90 minutes, depending on insurance coverage.

  • Yes, we take insurance.

    All insurance needs verification prior to starting therapy services.

    • Aetna

    • Cencal

    • Optum/UMR/Oxford/Oscar

    • Carelon

    • LA Care/Carelon

    • Cigna

    • HealthNet / First Health

    • Blue Shield

    • Gold Coast Health Services

    • San Francisco Health Plan

    In Process of Approval:

    • Tricare West / VACCN

    • Molina

    • Medicare

    • Medicaid

    • Humana

    • Blue Shield Promise Health Plan

    • Partnership Health Plan

    We do offer sliding scale.

  • You can reach my personal cell phone and/or email me to schedule a phone consultation.

    (541) 668-3763

    heather@fortheloveofself.com

  • Creative expression can access layers of experience that are not always reachable through words alone. Through art, movement, and imagery, clients often discover new insights and emotional connections that support healing and growth.