In this episode of Grove: Beyond the Couch, Melissa and Susan welcome therapist and yoga instructor Elizabeth Mounts to talk about what it really looks like to blend clinical work with yoga, somatic processing, and sound baths. Elizabeth shares her story of burning out in traditional mental health settings, stepping away from therapy, and then finding her way back with much clearer boundaries: knowing her style, honoring her schedule, and being honest about who she is a good fit for (and who she is not).

They dig into what somatic therapy actually is: tuning into where emotions live in the body, using breath, imagery, parts work, and even sound bowls to help complete the stress cycle and regulate the nervous system. They talk about discomfort in silence, why lying on a couch with your eyes closed can feel like torture at first, and how the body will often tell the truth before the mind catches up.

Elizabeth also tackles common hesitations around yoga, especially from Christians, explaining how yoga can be a neutral, flexible tool for nervous system regulation, pain relief, and spiritual connection (or not), depending on what you bring to the mat. The episode wraps with practical details about her weekly yoga class and monthly sound baths at Grove, plus encouragement to try something “weird,” give it at least three tries, and trust that you already carry more wisdom in your body than you realize.

Remember that listening to this podcast is not therapy. It might be therapeutic, but it isn’t a replacement for good mental health treatment. We can help with getting you connected with a good therapist. Check out our website.

Grove: A Healing Collective