When you attend a first appointment with me, we will discuss your needs. From this information we will decide together how counselling, psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing™ would be most helpful.
Counselling and psychotherapy can help you to talk through traumas, difficulties and stressors to help manage day to day life. Somatic Experiencing™ uses our experience of physical sensations, thoughts, feelings and images, to reduce symptoms and increase resilience. These symptoms may include anxiety, depression, irritability, relationship difficulties, isolation, destructive behaviours, as well as others.
I support clients by creating a safe, gentle and compassionate space. I will listen with understanding. We will work together to explore your difficulties and support healing . You will develop a better understanding of yourself, helping you to find ways of supporting you to deal with life stressors, heal from the past and reduce symptoms.
What happens to us?
Responses for Human Survival
Fight, flight and freeze are essential for our survival. We cannot protect ourselves if our mind’s and bodies don’t respond to threat with one of more of these responses.
Sometimes, before, during or after an event, things happen that interrupt these survival responses. As a result the energy from these responses can build up in our bodies. This can cause physical health issues, psychological and emotional pain. (Some symptoms may include: anxiety, depression, isolation, physical pain, relationship issues, feelings of despair and hopelessness, constant busyness, shut down / distance, feeling not present in the moment / lacking concentration)
We live our lives as if under threat. When this is happening we find it difficult, to truly experience and connect to life in the present moment.
Instead of moving on with our lives, we play out the same patterns, we find ourselves triggered by similar experiences, unrelated experiences or sometimes “nothing at all”; and we develop ways of managing everyday life. Sometimes even these ways of managing stop working so well.
If you connect to any of these symptoms, you can read more information below, or contact me to talk about how I can support you.
“I have come to the conclusion that human beings are born with an innate capacity to triumph over trauma. I believe not only that trauma is curable but the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening – a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation”
Peter A. Levine PhD.
Finding Healing through
Somatic Experiencing™
At Athrú Somatic Therapy and Mindfulness, I will support you to slowly work through uphelpful and sometimes destructive patterns. This allows you to relearn how to deal with stressors and triggers. This is done by increasing your awareness; recognising what supports you and connecting to these resources; and noticing your body’s / nervous system’s responses in the moment.
As a result, traumatic energy held in the body is released, integrating the trauma. Your tolerance for more difficult emotions and energy increases. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, isolation, physical pain, relationship issues, feelings of despair and hopelessness, constant busyness, shut down / distance, feeling not present in the moment / lacking concentration….. reduce.
You are able in time, to recover and live with more presence and (for the most part) with more safety. You are also left with the knowledge and confidence that comes with awareness of your body / nervous system; symptoms of stress and survival responses; and what can help to support you through future stressors.
Somatic Experiencing™ and Touch
At times, Somatic Experiencing™ Touch work can help to further support the movement of trauma energies. This can be in the form of guided self touch or touch from the therapist. If you would like to engage in Somatic Touch Work, you can remain in a sitting position or lay on a therapy table. The touch is not massage, but gentle supporting touch on joints, diaphragms or viseral areas.
This supports regulation in the area, can promote organisation of the body to complete survival responses and promote the flow of energy through the body. This can result in the relief of physical symptoms experienced as a result of traumatic stress, and allows the system to experience some rest.
Touch work is not suitable for all clients. While it may be suggested, it is always up to you if you wish for this type of support and can withdraw consent at anytime.