A truly holistic approach to healing and well-being considering the emotional, psychological, somatic and spiritual needs of each individual.
Connecting body and mind, the aim of somatic therapy is to help clients release stored trauma and regulate the nervous system.
Somatic therapy explores how the body expresses deeply painful experiences, applying mind body healing to aid with trauma recovery. It is a body centered approach which rather than focusing solely on thoughts or emotions associated with trauma, expands to include the natural bodily (somatic) responses. Recognizing that the body, not just the brain stores traumatic experience enables targeted therapy that addresses both physical and mental impacts.
Working together to release damaging, pent up emotions in the body
'Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however have to be a life sentence' -- Dr Peter Levine.
Trauma can be defined as anything that has the capacity to overwhelm our nervous system. Trauma is inevitable, however working together we can regulate the nervous system, process and release the emotions and ensure you once again feel at home in your own body
Our nervous system is the primary center of our bodies, it regulates all our programs and controls how we experience the world around us. When our nervous system feels safe and secure, we feel safe and secure. When the nervous system feels unsafe or insecure we may struggle with anxiety and unpleasant emotional and physical symptoms. In this modern world it is safe to say our nervous systems go through a lot. Many of us are perpetually operating with high stress levels. When the nervous system becomes dysregulated due to distress or prolonged feelings of stress it can lead to a prolonged state of anxiety, worry, trouble sleeping and various other problematic internal responses. Therefore the nervous system health is extremely important to maintain good mental health and nervous system regulation is a key component of healing.
As an integrative therapist I apply a number of approaches and principles, including:
Applied Polyvagal theory and nervous system regulation.
Inner child and parts therapy work.
Psychological somatics and body based trauma release.
Bi-lateral stimulation.
Diagnostic tapping.
Trauma informed movement.