Frequently Asked Questions

  • To maximize the reach and impact of our funding, our ideal referral pathway is directly through a licensed medical or mental health professional—such as an active psychotherapist, counselor, clinical social worker, or Primary Care Physician (PCP).

    By receiving referrals from established providers, we significantly reduce the clinical screening and administrative hours required by the Somatic Release Community Care Initiative (SRCCI). This operational efficiency allows us to direct nearly 100% of our grant funding straight toward purchasing somatic vouchers from our partner venues, putting care directly into the hands of the community.

  • Not having an active therapist is never a barrier to accessing our Somatic Sponsorships. We are committed to low-barrier community care.

    If an applicant self-refers and expresses interest, or if our clinical intake team identifies a need during the screening process, we will provide a curated list of vetted, community-aligned mental health practitioners. We encourage individuals to conduct their own due diligence and initiate contact with these external providers. Please note that establishing care with these outside practitioners occurs independently of, and is not overseen by, the SRCCI.

  • We expect referring clinicians to utilize their professional clinical judgment, conduct appropriate diagnostic due diligence, and strictly adhere to their respective licensing codes of ethics.

    Somatic release work can occasionally catalyze intense, emotionally charged states. It is the responsibility of the referring clinician to ensure that somatic offerings are clinically appropriate for their client’s current emotional capacity, psychological stability, and established treatment plan.

    Clinical Alignment Check: Referring providers should anticipate brief follow-up communication from an SRCCI clinical team member to discuss the clinical rationale, context, and suitability of the referral.

  • A history of self-harm, suicidal ideation, or harm to others does not automatically disqualify an applicant from participating in our program. We understand that systemic oppression and chronic "weathering" frequently manifest as acute emotional and psychological distress.

    However, a history of safety concerns does mean we will implement targeted "clinical cushioning." For these participants, we proactively integrate:

    • Pre-engagement preparation and post-engagement clinical touchpoints.

    • grounding tools and nervous system regulation exercises tailored for immediate use post-somatic experience.

    • Direct routing and active warm handoffs to local community crisis resources as indicated.

  • Safety is our absolute foundation, and we address it through two distinct, complementary systems:

    1. On-Site Physical Safety: Our partner venues are highly professional, specialized, and controlled environments. When you arrive, the facility staff will provide all mandatory safety gear and protective wear. You are expected to follow all physical facility guidelines, which our team will review with you during your intake.

    2. Off-Site Emotional Containment: High-intensity physical discharge (such as rage rooms or movement spaces) or deep sensory containment (such as float tanks) can occasionally unlock stored trauma or trigger intense nervous system states. Before issuing a voucher, we meet with you virtually for a brief screening. During this session, we equip you with practical somatic grounding techniques. This ensures your nervous system is prepared to navigate the physical experience safely without slipping into an unmanageable state of panic, freeze, or dissociation.

  • No. Under no circumstances may vouchers be shared, transferred, or gifted. Transferring a voucher constitutes a serious clinical safety risk. Every approved participant undergoes a clinical screening and tailored intake to ensure that these somatic environments align safely with their current mental state. An unscreened, unprepared individual using an unassigned voucher is at high risk of becoming emotionally "flooded," destabilized, and unable to safely self-regulate.

    Voucher codes should be treated just like your own personal funds. If you are unable to use your voucher, it should either be returned to the program so it can be safely redistributed to the next community member on our list, or it will be subject to any fees and/or policies associated with rescheduling or missing a scheduled somatic experience. If a loved one is experiencing weathering and wants to access a partner space, please have them contact us directly so we can guide them through our safe, off-site intake pathway.

    Please note: While we will discuss venue policies during your intake, it is ultimately your responsibility to review, understand, and adhere to the booking, cancellation, and attendance policies of the specific venue you choose prior to scheduling.

  • Because SRCCI is a community initiative funded by restricted philanthropic grants and donations, every voucher represents direct monetary value held in trust for community care. We operate under strict financial reporting guidelines and must account for every dollar to our donors to secure future funding cycles.

    • Tracking and Follow-Ups: We track all voucher utilization via unique codes matched directly to our confidential internal records. If a voucher goes unused or results in an unexcused "no-show," our team will follow up with you directly to check in and discuss any barriers you faced.

    • Rescheduling: If you need to change your appointment, you must do so directly through the partner venue's system within their specified cancellation window. This frees up the slot for other community members. Please note that SRCCI is not responsible for, nor will we cover, any fees associated with late cancellations, late rescheduling, or no-shows.

    • The Three-Strikes Policy: To ensure equitable access for the entire community, unexcused no-shows, failure to utilize assigned vouchers, or failure to follow vendor cancellation policies will directly impact your future program eligibility. After three scheduling mishaps, your participation in the somatic sponsorship program will be suspended.

  • Step 1: The Initial Screening

    First, you will complete the brief screening questionnaire under the community section. Choose the form designated for either Self-Referred Individuals or Referring Providers.

    Step 2: The Telehealth Intake (For Self-Referred Individuals)

    If you are self-referring, you will schedule a 30-minute virtual intake session via secure video with clinical coordinator Roxanne Capparelli.

    • State Licensing Requirement: You must be physically located within the state of Oregon at the time of your telehealth intake session.

    • Intake Availability: * Mondays through Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

      • Thursday afternoons: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

    • What We Will Cover: During this collaborative 30-minute session, Roxanne will review your screening questionnaire, discuss tailored venue options, guide you through personalized somatic grounding techniques, and review essential safety information. If time permits during the session, Roxanne can also assist you in navigating the venue's website to complete your live booking.

  • Somatic release venues are incredibly effective tools for immediate, bottom-up nervous system discharge, but they are not a substitute for long-term, relational trauma integration.

    If you decide you would like to transition into ongoing, structured psychotherapy, we are here to support that choice:

    • Indicate Your Interest: You are warmly encouraged to mention this goal during your screening or intake session.

    • Optional Resource Matching: We will provide you with a curated list of community-aligned mental health practitioners. While we assist in providing these resources, the client holds the agency and responsibility to reach out, confirm availability, and determine if a provider is a good fit.