ABOUT KERRY

Healing lives in
the body, not just the mind.

Kerry Murphy, LCSW is a somatic therapist who believes real, lasting change happens when we include the body in the conversation - not just the thoughts.

Portrait of a young woman with red hair wearing a black top with lace sleeves, smiling against a light plain background.

MY BACKGROUND

Why I became
a somatic-based therapist.

Hi it’s Kerry!

I have an array of interests including rollerblading, finger-painting, and watching anime. My ideal day would be setting up a hammock and attempting to read while getting distracted by people/animal watching.

I am a firm believer that every person has something valuable to teach and also learn from others. As a therapist, I feel an immense privilege to share space with individuals and families because each of us can grow and enhance our self-awareness. My grandmother always said “the only thing constant in life is change” and while I may initially roll my eyes, it is something I continue to hold dearly in my professional and personal life. 

I am passionate about the mind-body connection as well as the human-animal bond. As a yoga instructor, I have seen and experienced the power of cultivating a compassionate relationship between your mind and body. As a competitive gymnast, I learned valuable skills like discipline and facing your fears. However; I also experienced the extreme side of using your mind to control your body in an attempt to achieve the impossibility of perfection. By genuinely listening to what my body had to say, I discovered how to take care of myself in a healthy and balanced way.

Additionally, I am an animal lover, especially dogs! While I have experience training law enforcement and search and rescue canines, I am always so much more amazed by the subtle powers of therapeutic and service dogs. My dog Casey, taught me the meaning of unconditional love and support without ever saying a word (I would be concerned if she did!)

I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Justice Studies at Drexel University and minored in Psychiatric Rehabilitation. I received my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver and Credential to practice Human-Animal and Environment Interactions (HAEI). I know, that was a mouthful; it’s pretty much a fancy way of saying Animal-Assisted and Nature-Based Therapy. I specialize in enhancing the mind-body connection, facilitating breathing techniques and mindfulness exercises, and incorporating restorative movement. I tend to use somatic and body-based interventions as well as integrate multiple modalities: art therapy, play therapy, attachment-based therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, trauma-informed care, CBT, and DBT. 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

State of Colorado

Somatic & Trauma-Informed Training

Nervous system focused

4+ Years of Clinical Experience

Kids (age 6+), teens & adults

500hr Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)

Breath, grounding & body awareness

Telehealth Available Across Colorado

Flexible scheduling

In-Network Insurance Accepted

Aetna, Medicaid, UnitedHealthcare

MY APPROACH

The Quirky Bodies
Framework

Healing is not linear, and it's not one-size-fits-all. My methodology weaves together somatic awareness, trauma-informed care, and genuine human connection - meeting you wherever you are in the process.

01

Regulate

Come back to safety.

Before we can process anything, your nervous system needs to know it's safe. Together, we'll learn to recognize your body's signals and build practical anchors that bring you back to a regulated state — even when life gets overwhelming.

  • Body scan and somatic awareness

  • Grounding techniques tailored to you

  • Understanding your unique nervous system patterns

  • Co-regulation within the therapeutic relationship

02

Restore

Reconnect with yourself.

Once your nervous system has more capacity, we explore the deeper layers — the experiences, beliefs, and stored patterns that have kept you stuck. This isn't about rehashing the past; it's about gently completing what didn't get to finish.

  • Processing difficult memories with somatic tools

  • Working through grief, loss, and transition

  • Rebuilding your relationship with your body

  • Exploring identity, worth, and belonging

03

Renew

Build a life that feels like yours.

Healing creates space — for new ways of being, relating, and living. In this phase, we integrate your growth and build toward the life you actually want. Not the one you've been white-knuckling through.

  • Clarifying values and meaningful direction

  • Building supportive relationships and boundaries

  • Embodying new patterns in daily life

  • Celebrating progress (seriously — we do this)

"We don't move through these stages in a straight line — we spiral, revisit, and deepen. That's not failure. That's healing."

— Kerry Murphy, LCSW

COMMON QUESTIONS

You have questions.
I have answers.

Still have something on your mind after reading? Reach out — I'm a real human who reads every message.

  • Somatic therapy incorporates awareness of physical sensations, movement, and the body's responses into the healing process. While traditional talk therapy focuses primarily on thoughts and cognition, somatic therapy works with the whole person — recognizing that trauma, stress, and emotional patterns are stored in the body, not just the mind. This can help us access and process experiences that language alone can't always reach.

  • Both! I work with kids ages 6-12 and young women. The therapeutic process is the same — regulating the nervous system, processing what's stored in the body, and building new patterns — but the delivery looks different for kids. With children, that means play, music, movement, games, scavenger hunts, and art, often built around their own interests (think coping skills based on their favorite video game or memes, or expectations modeled after a sports hero or TV character they love). Parents are always involved so what we build in session can be practiced and reinforced at home.

  • Somatic therapy can be especially helpful if you've tried talk therapy but feel like something is still stuck, if you experience anxiety, trauma responses, or emotional numbness, if you feel disconnected from your body, or if stress shows up physically (tension, chronic pain, digestive issues). That said, our free consultation is the best way to figure out if we're a good fit.

  • Yes - I'm in-network with Medicaid, Aetna & UHC. If you are out-of-network, I can provide a superbill for reimbursement. During our consultation, we'll discuss fees, insurance, and what makes sense for your situation.

  • Yes!

    Intake: $170

    Sessions: $150 / 60 min

  • Therapy is deeply personal, so there's no one-size-fits-all timeline. Some people find meaningful shifts in a few months; others work with me for a year or more. We'll regularly check in about your progress, what's working, and what feels like enough. You're always in the driver's seat.

  • Yes! All of my services are available via secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth to anyone in Colorado. Many clients find that doing somatic or play work from the comfort and safety of their own home actually supports the process — you're already in a space where you can regulate and settle in.

  • The 15-minute free consultation is a casual, pressure-free conversation. We'll talk about what brings you (or your child) to therapy, what you're hoping for, and I'll share a bit about how I work. You get to decide if it feels like a good fit — no obligation, no awkwardness. I want you to feel excited about starting, not anxious.