Somatic-based therapist

I am a somatic-based therapist with a varied background that has led to my integrative approach. My early career included body work and Craniosacral Therapy. This work introduced me to the sense that working with the body was touching on much more than simply muscles and joints.

After spending some time caring for my young family, I moved on to train as an Occupational Therapist. I spent many years supporting children and young people experiencing sensory and nervous system differences, whether due to trauma or other neurodiversity. Here, the focus of the sessions was around sensory integration and attuned attachment. The importance of the therapeutic relationship was recognised here, which has come to be a primary focus in my work.

My work in the sensory and attachment world led me to Somatic Experiencing and other body based relational modalities which, for me, held the missing piece. Peter Levine states that “trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness”. This validates for me the importance of both incorporating the body and mind, and tending to the therapeutic relationship.

I have additional training in the area of Psychotherapeutic Counselling to support a fully integrative approach. By supporting the mind-body connection we can enhance a sense of self-awareness and self-love. Part of the work together may be to move towards cultivating feelings of strength, joy and expansion, and developing nurturing relationships.

I feel very privileged to work in this area and support the wonderful people who take the step towards understanding themselves in a different way, while working towards gentle, long-lasting healing.