Somatics for Trauma Healing

My approach to trauma healing is rooted by several branches in the big tree of somatics. My core training is a blend of Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing™ (SE) and Babette Rothschild's model of trauma resolution. I am also currently undergoing a qualification in Jan Winhall’s FeltSense PolyVagal Model™, developed to treat trauma and addiction specifically. My practice is nourished and fundamentally informed by the work of Abigail Rose Clark and her GROW/L method as well as Staci Haines’ concept of generative somatics.

I am also an accredited provider of Dr. Stephen Porges' Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP), which I am able to deliver to clients who would benefit from a little extra support.

Somatics is gentle and body informed approach that supports you to reconnect with your body and its natural capacity for regulation and emotional balance. At its heart this work invites you to slow down, to notice what is happening inside you and to approach those sensations with curiosity and care. Somatics complements other psychological approaches that rely mostly on talking and verbal analysis.

Sessions unfold at a pace that respects your capacity and what feels safe for your system.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma can be experienced individually and systemically. Other people can't know how you feel about your own experiences or if they were traumatic for you. You might have similar experiences to someone else, but be affected differently.

Trauma can happen when:

There is too much, too soon, too quickly
There is too much, for too long
There is not enough, for too long
Power and agency have been taken away from the person or collective
Aspects of society interact to perpetuate oppression and trauma, such as racism and poverty
The stressors outweigh the resources available to navigate them
Our primal protective instincts, intuitions and responses are thwarted
There is not enough time, space or permission to heal

It is essential that we consider social, developmental, and cultural factors when reflecting on a client’s trauma history. By not acknowledging these contextual factors we do the individual a disservice.

The symptoms of trauma may occur immediately or emerge over time from the compounding stress and challenges of processing and adapting to the experiences of life. Symptoms of trauma emerge as the body and mind attempt to cope with and resolve the stressors.

Ways trauma can happen include:

one-off or ongoing events
being directly harmed
witnessing harm to someone else
living in a traumatic atmosphere
being affected by trauma in a family or community
...

What to Expect

Somatic trauma therapy is collaborative and responsive to what you bring on the day. You are encouraged to stay connected to your own pace and comfort. Everything is an invitation rather than an instruction.

Depending on your needs we may explore:

grounding and orienting
tracking sensations
facilitate emotional release
gentle movement
breath awareness
exploring impulses
naming emotions
working with boundaries and resources
listening therapies such as Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)
touch based support if appropriate and with full consent

How This Work Can Support You

People often seek somatic trauma therapy when they feel overwhelmed by stress, numbness, anxiety, chronic tension or a sense of disconnection from themselves. This approach may support:

increased body awareness (interoception) and embodiment
a greater sense of grounding and ability to connect with self, others and the world around you
more capacity to stay present during challenging emotions
understanding subtle cues in your body and how the body relates to the whole of your being, i.e. the soma
building a clearer felt sense of safety
softer patterns of holding or bracing
new ways of responding to stress

Everyone experiences somatics differently. Some people notice emotional or physical release. Others sense small shifts in awareness or changes in their ability to stay with themselves. There is no right way to respond.

A Collaborative and Trauma Informed Space

The work is guided by consent. We take time to track your cues and to notice what feels supportive or challenging and nothing is ever rushed. You are invited to check in with what feels right and to adjust as we go. This creates a space where your body can gently reorganise rather than push beyond its capacity.

Your story matters and so does your pace. The aim is not to revisit trauma but to support your system to experience more steadiness, clarity and choice.

My Training and Background

My approach integrates training and perspectives from

Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing™ (SE)
Jan Winhall’s FeltSense PolyVagal Model™
Abigail Rose Clark’s GROW/L method
Babette Rothschild's model of trauma resolution
Dr. Steven Porges' Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)
therapeutic touch and bodywork
generative somatics and ecosomatics
Yoga therapy and energy healing
movement and embodiment practices

I continue ongoing professional development in somatics and trauma focused modalities so my practice can remain responsive and grounded. My training is in addition to a Psychology and Criminology degree (Coventry University) and 13 years experience working in front line mental health services, including for NHS Scotland.

Who This May Be Helpful For

This work may support people who experience:

chronic stress or long term tension
emotional overwhelm and hyper-vigilance
a sense of numbness or shutdown
chronic pain or persistent patterns of holding
difficulty staying present in the body
trauma symptoms or a feeling of instability after past experiences

Everyone arrives with a different history and capacity. Some people find somatic work immediately supportive. Others take time to feel into it. You are welcome wherever you are.

Important Information

Somatic trauma therapy is a complementary approach. It does not replace medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment. If you are currently receiving mental health care or have a diagnosis please speak with your healthcare provider before booking if you are unsure whether this work is suitable.

Confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries are held with care. We will create a working agreement together during your first session. Please review my Terms & Conditions for more information.

My practice is currently full and I am not taking on any new clients for somatic sessions.