Somatic Psychotherapy

Somatic psychotherapy is psychodynamic, experiential approach that uses mindfulness to bring awareness to memories, experiences that have been stored by the body and mind to promote emotional release and self-understanding.

 

How I work:

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The first session tends to provide an opportunity for both of us to get a sense of each other and determine if we would like to work together. Also, to consider your needs and expectations of somatic therapy. I will then suggest an appropriate way forward that best suits you. 

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As you can imagine every session is different but let’s consider a couple of examples.

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We may start considering an immediate problem, situation, experience or emotion. I will actively listen, perhaps asking questions or you to expand on several aspects. Together with your body language, how things have been said, what emotions are being expressed or not being expressed - We will explore physical sensations, imagery, essentially what is ‘felt’ in the body.

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We may then have an open exchange to consider the possibilities in a compassionate way, the purpose being for you to have greater self-awareness and understanding of your unique sense of self and way of being. Also identify patterns of behaviour or issues in the past that have not been examined or processed sufficiently.  This has been compared to "peeling an onion" exploring one layer at a time to find the core of the issue and liberate your authentic voice which is often shut down in childhood being replaced by ego, personality and adaptations to meet the needs of others. Often the ‘self’ gets smothered by situations, culture, responsibilities, environment, habits, expectations, traumatic events or commitments which leads to poor self-worth.

 

The unique aspect of somatic psychotherapy is we not only identify and explore issues but also try to find some resolution.

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