My interest in people and their stories brought me to where I am now.
I took the long way round to get to this place though, via studying and working in various health related disciplines including nursing, midwifery and mental health , before finding my passion….. offering integrated somatic therapies to anyone who is interested in discovering the root cause of their anxiety in order to find ease and to assist in the prevention of dis-ease .
My aim is to educate you about how you can regain a state of balance (homeostasis) and flow by use of somatic therapies, so that you can achieve maximum enjoyment in all aspects of your life…..your family, your work, your play and rest times but most importantly, in your relationship with yourself!
….but just so you know there is more to me than my work , here are a few incidental facts about me :
- I love chocolate (dark) and natural peanut butter (separate or in combo!)
- I completed my first Olympic Distance Triathlon in Noosa for my 60th birthday.
- I have a silver grey tabby cat Walter who makes me laugh every day.
- I always read magazines from back to front…….not books though, that would be weird !
- I love a good cup of tea, any type , any time, day or night.
- I go for a run followed by a cold water river swim most days.
- In my travels across Europe (in my young hippy days !) I was grabbed by a gendarme and locked up in a cell at the main Paris train station…I’ll tell you more when we meet!
An introductory session with me may include the following..
- an initial chat about how you are feeling and any worries you may have about the process….I want you to feel comfortable and at ease.
- an explanation about how I work……and how “somatic therapy” actually works.
- you telling me your story…as much as you choose to…in your own time.
- me asking you some questions about yourself, your daily routine around sleep diet and exercise etc , your family and relationships, your childhood , your work and your interests …etc
- finishing up with your expectations and what you hope to gain from our sessions.
Subsequent sessions will include an explanation of how the nervous system works, how it can be completely “derailed” by trauma and the various ways in which we can learn to work with it rather than against it by noticing what our body is telling us .
They may include gentle breathwork, somatic/neurosensory (body and mind) exercises, meditation , listening to trauma specific healing music via headphones, massage or reflexology … its up to you .
I work together with you nurturing your resilience so that you are better able to manage the inevitable ups and downs of life and to live in a state of ease rather than with “dis-ease”.
I offer a comfortable and welcoming space with the option to sit inside or outside , weather permitting!
I bring authenticity, empathy, validation and kindness to our meetings ..not to mention a warm or cold drink and a little treat if you so desire!
Oh and there’s usually plenty of laughter just to round out our time together !
Benefits of Massage and Reflexology in Nervous System Regulation.
We all know how relaxing a massage can be but the benefits extend far beyond that “feel good” sensation we experience as we leave the therapy room.
The power of touch cannot be underestimated. Touch is necessary to maintain life. Hence it is an amazing “somatic ” therapy affecting body and mind. Massage is now considered a vital part of integrative medicine due to the extraordinary number of benefits it delivers including :
- reducing stress by stimulating release of feel good hormones
- reducing muscle tension
- improving circulation
- lowering heart rate and blood pressure
- improving sleep
- boosting immune function and decreasing inflammation
A bit more about Reflexology…
Reflexology is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet relative to each organ and all parts the body.
Stimulating these reflexes in the feet with firm thumb or finger pressure helps maintain optimum physiological functioning in the body by increasing circulation, eliminating toxins, boosting metabolism , increasing energy levels, enhancing sleep and alleviating pain.
Reflexology is incredibly relaxing and helpful in alleviating stress …..a great addition to my “calm the farm” toolkit ! Its a non invasive treatment. You simply hop up on my table fully clothed ….minus shoes and socks. Pop on some headphones (or not) and a beautifully scented eye pillow , then drift away for an hour (or more if you like !)while I treat your whole body via your feet!