“Trauma is not what happens to us but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
— Peter A. Levine

Nectar is the sweet, transformative essence that sustains and nourishes life.

When we experience trauma, we can lose touch with our own nectar - our inner vitality, joy, and presence. We move into survival mode - guarded, braced, hypervigilant, and always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Living this way takes so much energy, and it can leave us feeling disconnected and weary.

The good news is that healing is possible. You are inherently resilient, and your body and mind hold the wisdom to restore balance and aliveness.

I invite you to learn more about how I can support you in reconnecting with your own nectar, your natural sense of safety, vitality, and wholeness.

A smiling woman with dark brown hair standing outdoors in front of pink and green foliage.

Kristan Baer, LICSW, MSW, SEP

Hello! I’m a trauma specialist, Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW), Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), and Lifespan Integration therapist based in Birmingham, Alabama. My approach blends compassion, neuroscience, and body-based healing to support clients in finding safety, balance, and connection within themselves.

My own path of healing through trauma and personal growth has deeply shaped how I hold space for others, with warmth, authenticity, and respect for the body’s natural wisdom.

I believe that healing unfolds gently when we feel safe and supported to reconnect with all parts of ourselves.

Learn more about me

My Unique Approach to Therapy

How Somatic Experiencing & Lifespan Integration Work Together:

  • Support both implicit (body-held) and explicit (story-based) memory

  • Help the nervous system release stuck survival patterns

  • Reinforce a sense of safety in the present moment

  • Rebuild a coherent life narrative through memory integration

  • Strengthen the mind–body connection

  • Promote deep regulation and long-lasting healing

  • Offer a gentle and paced approach to trauma processing

Services I provide:

Specializations:

  • Trauma :

    • Complex PTSD & PTSD

    • Sexual Trauma

    • Attachment & Developmental Trauma

    • Medical Trauma

  • Anxiety

  • Chronic Stress & Burnout