Somatic Therapy & Feldenkrais®
Frequently Asked Questions
in person near you in Havertown, Pennsylvania, serving the Main Line and greater Philadelphia area.
People often arrive at somatic therapy with curiosity, uncertainty, or a sense that something wants to shift but isn’t yet clear. They have often tried many modalities with no sustainable success. This page offers responses to common questions about the somatic therapy and Feldenkrais® work I offer.
These reflections are here to support understanding and help you sense whether this approach feels like a good fit for you.
Getting Started
Is this therapy?
My work is therapeutic in nature, but is not psychotherapy. I do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, I work through embodied awareness, reflective inquiry, and creative process to support integration, self-understanding, and meaningful change.
This work is a potent complement to psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, coaching, or medical care.
Is this approach helpful for chronic pain or long-standing tension?
Many people come to private sessions because they live with chronic pain, persistent discomfort, or tension. By working gently and incrementally, we can support new options and greater ease over time. This work offers relief from chronic pain, stress, and tension through an awareness-based approach.
What is the Feldenkrais Method®, and how does it fit into your work?
Feldenkrais® is a form of somatic therapy that uses gentle movement and attention to support new patterns of coordination and awareness. Based on neuroplasticity and nervous system regulation, it is a very efficient method for addressing chronic pain and physical limitations. It is my primary way of working in private sessions, and is one of several tools I use in my workshops and programs for personal exploration. It supports listening to the body, noticing patterns and habits, and opening new possibilities through awareness and curiosity.
Who tends to benefit most from this work?
This work often resonates with people experiencing chronic pain, persistent tension, stress patterns, or a sense of disconnection from their bodies and/or lives. It also supports those seeking thoughtful, embodied change in their personal exploration.
Do I need prior experience with movement, meditation, or art?
No. All offerings are guided and process-oriented. You do not need prior experience with Feldenkrais, somatic work, meditation, or art-making.
Creative workshops do not focus on artistic skill or technique. The emphasis is on exploration, reflection, and meaning-making rather than producing a polished artwork.
Sessions, Location, & Practical Questions
Do you work in person, and where are the sessions located?
Yes. Sessions and workshops are offered in person in Havertown, Pennsylvania, and are accessible to people from the Main Line and the surrounding Philadelphia area.
What if I'm not sure this work is right for me?
Uncertainty is welcome. I offer introductory workshops each month so you can have a sense of what I do and who I am. You are also invited to reach out with questions or schedule an exploratory call to learn more, without any expectation of commitment.
Contact me at (267) 225-8681 or email me at info@francinebonjour.com.
What can I expect from in a private session?
Private sessions are one-to-one and tailored to you. Depending on your needs and interests, a session may include gentle movement, hands-on or verbal guidance, reflective dialogue, or simple awareness practices. It is often subtle work, different from other hands-on modalities.
Sessions unfold at a pace that supports safety, curiosity, and integration.
What can I expect from in a workshop?
Workshops vary by offering but often include a combination of:
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gentle, guided movement or grounding practices
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reflective prompts or journaling
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mixed-media or creative exploration (in some workshops)
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time for integration and optional shared reflection
Workshops are not therapy groups but are therapeutic by nature. They are structured, facilitated experiences designed to support exploration and orientation in a group setting.