Somatic Trauma Therapy

Trauma can be defined as anything that is too much, too soon, too fast or too relentless for our nervous system to handle. Trauma can occur as a one-off event, or as an ongoing, repetitive experience for a period of time.

 

We can’t think or talk our way out of the effects of trauma - we live in a body, we experience suffering and trauma within our body - and it is through our body that we heal.

 

In recent years, research has shown that the most effective methods for resolving shock trauma, developmental & childhood trauma, PTSD, and other emotionally overwhelming and stressful conditions, need to include awareness of the body's inner somatic experience via felt sense, sensations, impulses, images etc. 

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From this standpoint, trauma expert Dr Peter Levine developed a body awareness modality called Somatic Experiencing - drawing from his multidisciplinary study of stress physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics, together with over 45 years of successful clinical application and experience. 

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Peter Levine, PhD is also the author of 'Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma', 'Trauma Through a Child's Eyes' and 'In an Unspoken Voice - How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness'.

 

As a fully-qualified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner trained by Dr Peter Levine's 3-year professional training programme, my trauma therapy approach with clients follows the research findings - that the somatic body - not just the mind, must be involved if we are to heal from trauma. 

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Using Somatic Experiencing techniques and clinical tools and approaches, I help clients who have experienced trauma to move from a nervous system state of fight, flight, freeze or fawn to an improved state of regulation, safety and calm. 

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I offer a safe, non-judgemental and heartfelt space in which to help you build resilience against your traumatic experiences & memories, and restore emotional equilibrium.

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The pace and timing of sessions I offer is very much led by what you feel comfortable with - your sense of safety is paramount.

 

I've helped clients who have experienced the following:

• Traumatic event/s, overwhelm

• Abuse - sexual, physical, emotional, mental

• Shut down, numbing of feelings/pain

• Childhood, developmental trauma, lack of parental connection

• Hypervigilance, unable to relax, flashbacks

• Trust issues, fear of intimacy

• Persistant feelings of isolation, loneliness, shame

• Grief, loss or sense of abandonment

• Traumatic/difficult childhood, neglect

• Effects from accidents or attacks

• Insomnia, nightmares

• Trauma-related anger/hostility/rage

• Panic attacks, anxiety

• A sense of broken spirit, hopelessness​