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26
Apr
1st queer only cuddle party
a queer-only gathering to explore playful communication and non-sexual physical touch in a supportive, judgment-free space.
17:00 - 20:00
Kultus Club, Tallinn
embrace your queerness unmask your neurodivergence embody your truth
somatic coaching & bodywork sessions
for LGBTQ+, neurodivergent people & women
online & in-person in Tallinn
260+
sessions
50+
LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, women & BIPOC clients
3
years of safety & trust built
from masking to authentic embodiment
have you spent years hiding, trying to fit in, or striving to be "normal"? perhaps you’ve been living like a floating head, disconnected from your body.
this disconnection is a necessary survival strategy in a world not built for queer and neurodivergent people.
but your body has been whispering the truth about who you are. it's time to listen.
through somatics, here you can reclaim your safety, unmask your authentic self, and move from burnout into a life of euphoria and resilience.
this disconnection is a necessary survival strategy in a world not built for queer and neurodivergent people.
but your body has been whispering the truth about who you are. it's time to listen.
through somatics, here you can reclaim your safety, unmask your authentic self, and move from burnout into a life of euphoria and resilience.
LGBTQ- & neurodivergent-focused coaching
i am experienced and trained in working with:
gender expression and transitionsexuality questioning and explorationunmasking Autism and ADHDsupporting trans loved onesrecovering from burnout and depressionrelieving hypervigilance based chronic pain
how somatic coaching helped me
hi, i'm Joelle Marcelle Antson (she/her). i am a somatic coach and bodyworker trained at Strozzi Institute for Somatics, dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+, neurodivergent people, and women. as an Autistic ADHD trans woman, i know the weight of living in a world not built for our identity and nervous system.
somatic coaching was the map back home to my body. through personal work, I realized i'm trans, embody my femininity authentically, and navigate my transition with grounded steps. it has helped me recognize my sensory needs and unmask my AuDHD to recover from burnout and depression.
that's why i hold space for people like us. if you're Autistic or ADHD, queer or trans people, or anyone desiring liberation in your expression, you're welcome here.
whether you are questioning your gender, navigating ADHD or Autistic burnout, or simply yearning to feel at home in your skin, let’s move toward your longing together.
book a free initial session today!
with care and curiosity,
Joelle Marcelle 🖤✨
three ways for somatic transformation
work with me
somatic coaching
150 € or sliding scalesomatic coaching supports somatic transformation through somatic awareness, practices, and opening—while taking into account the social context.
we acknowledge that transformation isn't only individual, as our bodies are shaped by social norms. in somatic coaching, we weave together coaching conversation with body-based awareness and somatic practices (rooted in aikido, meditation, and more) to create new sustainable, embodied competencies.
somatic transformation is the ability to act aligned with your values, even under old pressures.
somatic coaching is suitable if you have specific goals and want to take actionable steps.
sessions support you with:
- ✓ feeling and tolerating difficult emotions
- ✓ acting aligned with your values
- ✓ staying centered under pressure
- ✓ setting boundaries while staying connected
- ✓ knowing who you are and what matters to you
all practices are adaptable for online sessions.
somatic bodywork
150 € or sliding scalesomatic bodywork uses skilled touch (points, holds, movements), breath patterns, and supportive conversation to invite opening by working through, not just on the body.
unlike massage, which temporarily loosens muscular tension, we explore why the tension is there. is it protecting your dignity? taking care of your safety? or longing for belonging? when we acknowledge these protective patterns with kindness, they can finally soften. bodywork is the most direct and effective way to invite somatic opening. this can show up as expression of stuck emotions through crying, laughing, and shouting, and softening of tissues.
what to expect from a session is answered more thoroughly in frequently asked questions.
while sessions happen on a massage table, i also teach how to do bodywork on yourself through online sessions.
somatic workshops
somatic workshops bring somatics to more than just 1:1 sessions. i invite groups, organizers, and organizations to practice embodied skills in mutual connection.
we explore how to craft collective values, ally with each other, consent (say "yes," "no," or "maybe"), make and respond to requests, build collective power, and much more.
to work on the culture of or cultivate new skills in your organization, contact me here. →
frequently asked questions
i'm skeptical because it sounds "woo-woo"... is there science behind it?
this work is informed by neuroscience and the understanding that we change through repetition and the creation of new neuronal pathways. i am trained in Strozzi Somatics, an International Coaching Federation (ICF) certified program, which recognizes that healing often requires a safe, regulated presence and/or consensual touch to move through trauma.
whatever beliefs you hold—or don't hold—fit into our sessions, as i never impose my own worldview or lack thereof on your process. we focus on the physio-, psycho-, and sociological reality of your lived experience to create practical, lasting change.
whatever beliefs you hold—or don't hold—fit into our sessions, as i never impose my own worldview or lack thereof on your process. we focus on the physio-, psycho-, and sociological reality of your lived experience to create practical, lasting change.
what can i expect from a session with you?
whether we do coaching or bodywork, the outline is similar: we start with a short conversation to set your intent and end with a debrief to integrate the experience. for bodywork, the time in between is spent with you laying fully clothed and face-up on a massage table while i use gentle touch. in coaching, i use specific questions and somatic practices that fit your intention to help you deepen and build new skills. i'm here to ensure the process feels collaborative and moves at a pace that respects your nervous system.
• outline: a short introduction conversation about the intent of the session and a similar debrief session at the end of the session, in a coaching session the time between is spent doing somatic practices, and in a bodywork session, by laying fully clothed and face-up on a massage table.
• consent: i prioritize consent at every moment. for example, i ask if a placement and pressure work for you, tell you what to expect before the next move, and ask you to be self-responsive about your needs throughout the session.
• technique: i use pressure points, holds, and movements, including eye-, head-, and limb-movement. breath patterns bring in more oxygen into your body to create somatic opening.
• outline: a short introduction conversation about the intent of the session and a similar debrief session at the end of the session, in a coaching session the time between is spent doing somatic practices, and in a bodywork session, by laying fully clothed and face-up on a massage table.
• consent: i prioritize consent at every moment. for example, i ask if a placement and pressure work for you, tell you what to expect before the next move, and ask you to be self-responsive about your needs throughout the session.
• technique: i use pressure points, holds, and movements, including eye-, head-, and limb-movement. breath patterns bring in more oxygen into your body to create somatic opening.
what's the difference between somatic coaching and bodywork? what's similar?
somatic coaching is conversation-based practice where i help you navigate life goals or transitions while engaging the body through somatic awareness and using practices to build new skills. coaching sessions can happen both in-person and online.
bodywork is an in-person, hands-on practice where i use touch to support your nervous system's regulation and help release physical and emotional contractions directly.
while coaching helps you set clear goals and show up differently in your daily life, bodywork goes deeper to change your habitual shape. both use Strozzi Somatics' methodology of somatic transformation and complement each other.
bodywork is an in-person, hands-on practice where i use touch to support your nervous system's regulation and help release physical and emotional contractions directly.
while coaching helps you set clear goals and show up differently in your daily life, bodywork goes deeper to change your habitual shape. both use Strozzi Somatics' methodology of somatic transformation and complement each other.
what if i can't pay your full price? what if i can pay more?
i offer sliding scale options and discount packages for people with lower income, because i believe somatic support should be accessible regardless of your financial situation.
i invite you to choose a tier that reflects your income, wealth, and systemic privileges or barriers without needing to prove your need to me. this trust-based system allows me to sustain my practice while keeping it available for students and community members who might otherwise be priced out.
if you're more economically privileged, consider paying more than my full price to make this work more accessible to less privileged folks.
read more above.
i invite you to choose a tier that reflects your income, wealth, and systemic privileges or barriers without needing to prove your need to me. this trust-based system allows me to sustain my practice while keeping it available for students and community members who might otherwise be priced out.
if you're more economically privileged, consider paying more than my full price to make this work more accessible to less privileged folks.
read more above.
what if i get overstimulated or need the touch to stop immediately?
your sensory needs and boundaries are my top priority, and i will always establish clear agreements with you before we even begin. if you feel overwhelmed, shut down, or just need a break, i stop immediately. this work is not about powering through but starting to listen to your bodily signals and then learning to ask for what you need. i adjust the lighting, sound, and the type of touch to make sure the environment feels safe for your neurodivergent nervous system.
do i have to explain my queer identity or my neurodivergence to you?
not at all. i work from my own lived experience and an intersectional lens that understands these identities are vital parts of who we are, not problems to be fixed. you don't have to spend your session time educating me on the basics of your identity or how systemic oppression affects your nervous system. i'm here to hold space for all of you, exactly as you are, without you having to carry the weight of explanation.
what if i can't be vulnerable enough or find the right words to describe what i'm feeling?
that is a very normal part of this work, and to be honest, that's the main concern every client has in their first session! you don't need to open more than you're ready nor have the perfect words or a linear story.
in addition to verbal processing, i prioritize a multitude of other modes of communication: we can work with sounds, gestures, movement, drawing, or even just sitting in the quiet until it feels safe to explore.
i use somatic questions to help you slowly build a vocabulary for your internal world at a pace that doesn't feel overwhelming for your system.
in addition to verbal processing, i prioritize a multitude of other modes of communication: we can work with sounds, gestures, movement, drawing, or even just sitting in the quiet until it feels safe to explore.
i use somatic questions to help you slowly build a vocabulary for your internal world at a pace that doesn't feel overwhelming for your system.
is this somatic therapy? what's the difference between therapy and coaching?
no, and i’m not a therapist. i take this distinction seriously because the word "therapy" is often over- and misused. in talk therapy, the focus is on gaining new insights through analysis, somatics focuses on increasing your ability to feel your body and practice new skills.
while therapy often explores the "why" of your past and traumas, somatic coaching and bodywork focus on the "how" of your present and the "what" of your future, your longings. we look at how you are currently shaped by your experiences and what specific practices you need to align your body with your deepest longings.
that doesn't mean we ignore the heavy stuff. when emotions or traumas surface, we meet them at a slow, regulated pace to ensure you can track and feel them. by doing so, they are integrated rather than just released. my priority is sustainable, long-term resilience over quick, overwhelming catharsis.
while therapy often explores the "why" of your past and traumas, somatic coaching and bodywork focus on the "how" of your present and the "what" of your future, your longings. we look at how you are currently shaped by your experiences and what specific practices you need to align your body with your deepest longings.
that doesn't mean we ignore the heavy stuff. when emotions or traumas surface, we meet them at a slow, regulated pace to ensure you can track and feel them. by doing so, they are integrated rather than just released. my priority is sustainable, long-term resilience over quick, overwhelming catharsis.
how does somatic transformation work?
somatics is more than talk therapy: it's engaging the whole living body (the "soma" in Greek) in the healing process. my approach interweaves sensing, feeling, relating, and acting to shift the automatic survival patterns stuck in your nervous system.
through a blend of somatic coaching and bodywork, we align your posture, actions, and boundaries with your deepest values. this isn't just about changing how you think; it’s about changing how you exist in the world.
somatic transformation is the ability to act aligned with our values even under old pressures.
the politicized Strozzi Somatics methodology includes somatic awareness, somatic practices, and somatic opening—all grounded in social context:
• awareness: increasing somatic awareness is vital because feelings and sensations give information about needs and boundaries. the more you can feel and tolerate, the more aligned action you can take. i gently invite you to feel your body at the pace that works for you.
• practices: we become what we practice. it takes 300 repetitions to create new habits and 3000 repetitions to create new embodiment. by intentional and regular practice, we create new competencies. together and at home, we practice towards your goals.
• opening: we "till the soil" by softly helping your body release stuck emotions and tensions in the body, making room for the seeds of practices to grow into new skills. “what might these contractions take care of? and what do they need to hear to let go?” are question i ask to slowly support the softening of your body.
• systemic context: our bodies have been shaped by socio-political norms, like misogyny, cishetero- and neuronormativity. that includes how much physical and emotional space you take up, how loud you speak, or how freely you stim. by becoming aware of this shaping, you can reclaim your space and dignity and shape back these systems. that’s why somatic transformation isn't just individual, it's political.
through a blend of somatic coaching and bodywork, we align your posture, actions, and boundaries with your deepest values. this isn't just about changing how you think; it’s about changing how you exist in the world.
somatic transformation is the ability to act aligned with our values even under old pressures.
the politicized Strozzi Somatics methodology includes somatic awareness, somatic practices, and somatic opening—all grounded in social context:
• awareness: increasing somatic awareness is vital because feelings and sensations give information about needs and boundaries. the more you can feel and tolerate, the more aligned action you can take. i gently invite you to feel your body at the pace that works for you.
• practices: we become what we practice. it takes 300 repetitions to create new habits and 3000 repetitions to create new embodiment. by intentional and regular practice, we create new competencies. together and at home, we practice towards your goals.
• opening: we "till the soil" by softly helping your body release stuck emotions and tensions in the body, making room for the seeds of practices to grow into new skills. “what might these contractions take care of? and what do they need to hear to let go?” are question i ask to slowly support the softening of your body.
• systemic context: our bodies have been shaped by socio-political norms, like misogyny, cishetero- and neuronormativity. that includes how much physical and emotional space you take up, how loud you speak, or how freely you stim. by becoming aware of this shaping, you can reclaim your space and dignity and shape back these systems. that’s why somatic transformation isn't just individual, it's political.
upcoming events
30
May
Pride and Pain: Unmasked and Unashamed
an invitation for queer and trans bodies to explore kinky play in a safe, consent-focused environment. featuring somatic grounding, drag performances, and structured exploration.
18:00 - 02:00
Kultus Club, Kopli, Tallinn
stay updated about events
be the first to know about upcoming events and occasional tips about somatic practices! plus, you'll get a free guided affirmation about the goodness of your body.
sign upwhat embodying your truth feels like
feeling and tolerating difficult emotions
expanding your emotional capacity to be with difficult emotions and sensations
acting aligned with your values
the ability to act in accordance with what matters to you, even when life gets heavy
staying centered under pressure
maintaining your center when stress, conflict, or sensory overwhelm arises
setting boundaries while staying connected
learning to say "no" to others so you can say "yes" to yourself—without losing connection
knowing who you are and what matters to you
discovering your deepest longings and living your truth unapologetically
ready to begin your transformation?
book a free sessiontestimonials
clients' stories of transformation
resources
free resources and media appearances
blog post what is Strozzi Somatics? a deep dive into somatic transformation and its benefits for marginalized bodies
in this "introduction to somatics" blog post, explore the methodology of Strozzi Somatics. learn how somatic coaching and working with the soma can lead to lasting somatic transformation.
J
Joelle Marcelle Antson
April 4, 2026
5 min
blog post politicized somatics: unmasking your body from cishetero- and neurotypical norms
in this "introduction to somatics" blog post, you'll discover how politicized somatics supports queer liberation, and how to reclaim your body from years of ADHD burnout & masking Autism.
J
Joelle Marcelle Antson
March 29, 2026
7 min
Interview exclusive TV interview on Täistund
in this candid interview with the show "Täistund", somatic coach and trans woman Joelle Marcelle shares her journey from the role of an identical triplet to authentic femininity. she explains the role of somatics in unmasking and trusting her body's wisdom amidst rigid societal expectations.
J
Joelle Marcelle Antson
March 24, 2026
6 min
qualifications
training, certifications, and education
somatics
-
85+ individual sessions
from somatic coaches, bodyworkers, therapists, and Alexander Technique teachers
- Somatic Coaching Program, somatic coach
Strozzi Institute for Somatics
- Somatic Bodywork (Levels 1 & 2), somatic bodyworker
Strozzi Institute for Somatics
- Embodied Transformation
Strozzi Institute for Somatics
- Somatics, Trauma, and Resilience
Strozzi Institute for Somatics
- Cultivate the Wisdom of the Body
Wisdom Bodywork
- Embodiment Basics
The Embodiment Institute
- Using Your Voice, Healing Shame, and Apology Essentials
Accountability Mapping
- Centered Accountability
Accountability Mapping
- Unraveling Our Whiteness
The Activist Theology Project
higher education
- MA in Theological Studies
Vanderbilt University Divinity School
- BA in Theology and Religious Studies (cum laude)
University of Tartu
neurodivergence
- Unmasking Autism Coaching Training
Values-Based Integration Process — Powered by Love
- Understanding and Supporting Autistic and ADHD Children
Ivica Mägi Autismikool
-
ADHD in Adults
University of Tartu
restorative justice
- restorative justice strategy developer (2023-2025)
Ministry of Justice, the Republic of Estonia
- Basic Restorative Training Skills, restorative trainer
European Forum for Restorative Justice
- Restorative Justice Basic Training
Belinda Hopkins' 5:5:5 model
- The Voice of Children in a Restorative Justice Process
European Forum for Restorative Justice
relationship & family
- Introduction to Systemic Family Psychology and Therapy (Level 1)
Kiira Järv's Family Therapy School
- Imago Relationship Therapy (Level 1), certified Imago Educator
Imago International Training Institute
get in touch
questions? send me a message below, or skip the wait and book a time.
or start your healing journey now:
book a free session