Meet Celeste Hirschman
Celeste Hirschman, MA, is the co-founder of the Somatica Institute and a trailblazing expert in the fields of intimacy and personal transformation. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Sexuality Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies.
With a unique blend of insight and compassion, Celeste is dedicated to helping people unlock deeper connections and embrace their authentic selves. Her groundbreaking work with the Somatica® Method has empowered countless individuals to transform their relationships and experience profound personal growth.
Celeste’s journey began with a childhood dream of becoming an actress, a passion she pursued with enthusiasm before attending college. Today, she is thrilled to see that dream come to life with her appearance in an upcoming docu-reality series, set to air on a major British TV channel.
A true believer in the power of family, Celeste shares a special bond with her sisters through their dance troupe, which thrives on their shared motto: “A family that sways together, stays together.” This deep sense of connection is reflected in her work, where she helps others cultivate meaningful bonds in their own lives.
As a philosopher of intimacy and a prolific writer, Celeste is the co-author of three influential books aimed at helping people shed shame, embrace their identities, and become more confident in giving and receiving pleasure. She is a published researcher in the field of adolescent sexuality development and sex education.
Work & Passion
Philosopher/Bisexual Activist
Train in Somatica – you can be a coach and change the world too.
Teacher
Learn directly from Celeste – take her classes and transform your life.
Author
Take the first step – start one of her 3 books today.
TV Producer/Talent
Check out her current projects.
My personal growth journey
In Somatica, we strongly believe in the power of vulnerability – that sharing our challenges when appropriate and in service of our students and clients growth can help them lower shame, be realistic about their goals, and find the sense of peace that comes from the combination of transformation and self-acceptance. Vulnerability is built into the method, which rests on a two-way mutually vulnerable relationship in service of the client’s or student’s growth. In light of this, I want to share my own journey of struggle and growth.
A universal part of being human is experiencing something painful that leaves scars and challenges for us to overcome. For me, the biggest challenge has been dealing with abandonment. Although I was incredibly fortunate to be born to two parents who loved me unconditionally — a privilege I do not take for granted — each of them left at different times in my life. For my child’s mind, it was even more confusing to be deeply loved and then left.
This experience created an overwhelming fear intertwined with love. Whenever I fell in love, there was a constant underlying fear that I would be abandoned again. No amount of love could reassure me – because my parents adored me and still left. This anxious attachment style followed me from relationship to relationship. Despite the terror that accompanied love, the sex, pleasure, and orgasms I experienced were always life-affirming and sustaining. I never felt ashamed of my sexuality, and sex was a central part of my joy.
Part of developing Somatica was learning and teaching about attachment styles and trauma, and it was actually developing and teaching Somatica that helped me acknowledge my abandonment fears as trauma. That’s when I took ownership of them, and things began to change. While my anxiety has decreased over time due to extensive emotional and attachment work, I am aware that it will never fully disappear and can still be triggered in certain situations.
The key difference now is how I manage those moments of terror, which are much less frequent and intense. I recognize them and avoid taking any destructive actions that might end a relationship. I take breaks when necessary, and utilize trauma empowerment tools to de-escalate and self-soothe. And I seek support from the many secure attachment figures in my life including those I’ve grown close with in the Somatica community. One, beautiful, amazing time, I got to experience a fully securely attached romantic relationship which I will always cherish. Throughout my journey, my sense of eroticism, flirtation with the world, and sexual self-expression, which I continue to get to express as a teacher and co-founder of the Somatica Institute, have been vital sources of resilience.
This is my journey, and I am still on it. Yours will be different. My own experiences and the experiences of all of the people I’ve worked with as a Somatica coach, have given me deep empathy for the challenges we all face and the need to look within, take ownership, and approach our struggles with gentleness, love, and curiosity. Now, when that little girl inside me gets scared, I know how to comfort her. I could never judge anyone else for their process because I understand the vulnerable, potentially shameful, and truly terrifying parts of ourselves and life that we all must confront.
Don’t Miss a Beat
Join our mailing list and get the most current tools to improve your sex life and relationships today.