Most of us are familiar with psychological therapies, which focus on the mind, or psyche. We all know we have a mind that we experience our lives through, yet we cannot label where it is in an anatomy book, even in a detailed map of the brain.
In a similar way, somatic therapy is about the living experience of our body, or more accurately, our soma – its feelings, movements, patterns, and processes. Exploring these therapeutically builds awareness of our own “bodymind.” These patterns are laid down over a lifetime, and just like our thoughts, settle into tendancies that we don’t usually examine until something doesn’t feel right, or gets stuck. Somatic therapy familiarises you with your soma, and helps you explore and make choices about your individual patterns.
We often start with talking about your hopes for the work, or what's currently on your mind. Over time, we'll become familiar with allowing your body to enter the conversation and lead the session. This might include guided movement, touch, or learning about your body. You may prefer to move authentically with a compassionate witness, or meet and dialogue with the different “minds” of your body’s tissues, systems, and patterns. Creative tools, such as mark-making and writing, help to harvest and integrate your learning. If it feels welcome, physical contact can be offered to support your awareness. Comfortable clothing is always worn.
I work from a handful of carefully chosen locations in Teignbridge, Devon. Each one is chosen for comfort and privacy. In-person sessions use a quiet room, with space to move and plenty of props for your comfort. Working outside in nature, by the sea or in woodlands, is also possible; I'll bring a kit of tools for us to work creatively without impacting the land.
One to One Sessions
I use a pricing scale named the Green Bottle Model and ask clients to decide whether their financial circumstances represent a full, medium, or empty bottle.
In Person
Online
For "empty bottle" folk I offer a small number of concessionary spaces to those who are unpaid carers or neurodivergent. Don't be shy to contact me about this, I'd rather be of service than not - and have a look at the events page, too.
