Somatic Therapy in Ireland with Sue

There have been some exciting developments in the realm of trauma therapy. Guided by Guided by influential teachers such as Dr. Peter Levine founder of Somatic Experiencing, Judith Herman expert in Trauma and Recovery, Deb Dana an expert in Polyvagal Theory, Pat Ogden founder of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and other influential experts such as Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk and Babette Rothschild. 

What does this mean?

These pioneers in trauma therapy found that trauma happens in the body and must be released from the body. A body-centred approach can help a person come to healing and wholeness, which can be a beneficial option for people where talk therapy may be difficult and a person may remain stuck and dysregulated. 

Somatic Therapy helps: 

Restore the body as a place of safety while helping to expand the capacity to process body (preverbal and nonverbal) memory Metabolise unprocessed emotions Complete thwarted (incomplete) stress responses Restore our optimal relationship to self and the world around us. Somatic trauma therapy offers techniques for clients to sense and regulate their own physiology and states of being. 

This includes building more internal and external resources, building trusting and co-regulatory relationships, learning to turn inward with compassion, being invited deeper in the body, and given time and space to process the trauma. These somatic techniques unwind trauma and restore well-being. 

The core of somatic trauma work is the premise that the body can tap into its innate healing processes when supported to attune to the language of the body to release and discharge trapped emotions, including the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses that crop up in response to traumatic experiences. 

These get held in the nervous system, often for decades. Trauma happens in the body and to be healed it needs to be released from the body. The main aim of somatic work is to release buried emotions caused by trauma, providing healing from the inside out. Using these body-centred approaches I have witnessed profound transformations as individuals embark on a journey to heal trauma at its roots. 

Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy gets people out of their heads, and safely into their bodies to foster healing. By addressing the physiological aspects of trauma and guiding clients through embodied experiences, we tap into the body's wisdom, enabling a comprehensive and lasting healing process. 

Today, somatic trauma therapy includes a range of modalities, such as:

• Somatic Experiencing (SE)

• Focusing

• Hakomi Therapy

• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

• Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY)

• Somatic Internal Family Systems (IFS)

It is widely recognised as a holistic and effective modality for addressing trauma, particularly for individuals where traditional talk therapy hasn't managed to address their symptoms. 

What is Somatic EMDR?

Somatic EMDR is the synthesis of somatic psychology and EMDR Therapy. According to Trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk, Somatic Therapy and EMDR Therapy are considered the best approaches for the treatment of trauma. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is a comprehensive approach to therapy that integrates elements of psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural, interpersonal, experiential, and body-centred therapies to maximise treatment effects. 

EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to cross the mid-line (i.e. eye movement, bodily movement, cross body tapping, etc.) to attend to and de-esclate the reactivity to past memories, present triggers, or anticipated future experiences. Somatic EMDR also utilises movement techniques to help complete unprocessed nervous system impulses and frozen emotions that have been previously stuck in the body. 

Somatic interventions such as tracking sensations, deepening awareness, boundary awareness, and self-regulation complement and increase the efficacy of EMDR Therapy and collectively these therapeutic modalities offer a profound healing tool for anyone facing the pain of PTSD. 

Each client is different and for some people, the eye movement from EMDR can be too much for them, therefore the body-oriented somatic EMDR approach offers alternative ways to gain the benefits of EMDR without leading to distress or overwhelm. This body-oriented approach yields the same benefits as EMDR and grounds clients in the process. 

I've been working in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy and altered states of consciousness for some time now. It is a sacred space I hold with deep reverence, curiosity and care. 

While psychedelic experiences can open the door to transformation, true healing happens when the nervous system feels safe enough to process and integrate what arises. This work is not just about altered states, it’s about embodied healing. By integrating mind, body, and nervous system awareness, we create a foundation for deep transformation that extends beyond the experience itself. 

Psychedelic-assisted therapy can offer a profound opportunity for healing, allowing individuals to access deep emotional insights and release patterns held in the body. 

However, if a person is unprepared or unsupported, these experiences can sometimes trigger overwhelming emotions, anxiety, or resurfaced trauma. Without proper integration, they may feel destabilising rather than healing. That’s why a safe, intentional, and a well-supported process is essential for ensuring that the benefits of the experience are lasting and meaningful.

I guide individuals in this work and hold occasional small group retreats. I also support clients through the integration of non-ordinary states of consciousness, ensuring that their experiences lead to insights beyond the journey as well as sustainable and embodied transformation. 

If you're curious about plant medicines, psychedelics, or how to integrate expanded states of consciousness into everyday life, I’ve created a separate mailing list just for that conversation.

That newsletter will focus solely on the evolving world of psychedelic-assisted healing — both its light and its complexity. As this won't appeal to everyone, I have decided to keep this space separate from my other work. If this speaks to you, You can sign up here.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based therapeutic tool designed to support the body’s natural ability to regulate and respond to stress. Created by Dr. Stephen Porges, it is based on Polyvagal Theory, which explores how our nervous system influences our emotional and social responses. 

The SSP uses carefully filtered music to stimulate and calm the vagus nerve, helping the body move from a state of heightened anxiety or stress into a more grounded and relaxed state. 

Through SSP, clients can experience improved emotional resilience, reduced reactivity, and a stronger capacity for connection and safety. It’s suitable for children and adults alike, especially those facing challenges related to trauma, anxiety, sensory processing, and social engagement. 

More information check out: https://www.whatisthessp.com/

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course introduces participants to different forms of mindfulness practice including; sitting meditation, mindful eating, awareness of physical sensations and gentle mindful movement. Research shows that mindfulness helps manage stress, anxiety, depression, illness, pain, improve performance and lead to significant improvements in well-being.

Throughout the course, you will be consciously and systematically working with your own stress, pain and illness - and the challenges and demands of your everyday life. You will develop an awareness of automatic pilot, habitual patterns, awareness of thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. This awareness provides the opportunity to engage with life in a different way and is the foundation upon which new perspectives are built. As the emphasis is on bringing mindfulness into everyday life, home practice and journaling are also an important aspect of the course.

A safe and supportive environment will be created for this work and learning through:

• Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices.

• Gentle stretching and mindful yoga.

• Dialogue and discussions aimed at enhancing awareness in everyday life.

• Daily home practice of 45-60 minutes.

• Personal reflection through journaling.

• Practical home assignments.

Offered in both 1-1 settings and group settings. 

Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living course is for people who wish to learn how to deal in a healthy way with pain, stress or suffering, in whatever form it presents – physical, mental, emotional or relational. Those already familiar with mindfulness practice and who have already followed a mindfulness-based training (e.g. MBSR or MBCT) can deepen the healing effects of mindfulness with the help of this program, which offers exercises in cultivating compassion for ourselves and others. 

It is particularly suitable for those who find mindfulness practice beneficial but have difficulty integrating it into their daily lives and develop a kind and compassionate attitude towards themselves.

The training is based on a scientific understanding of the importance of compassion, self-compassion and positive effects of most components have been separately demonstrated in studies among clinical and non-clinical populations.

Throughout the course, you will work with your own stress, pain and illness with deepening compassion. You will develop an awareness of inner critic/bully, compassionate companion, safe space, compassionate body scan and many more. This awareness provides the opportunity to engage with life in a compassionate way and is the foundation upon which new perspectives are built. As the emphasis is on bringing compassion into everyday life, home practice and journaling are also an important aspect of the course.

Offered in both 1-1 and group settngs.

Somatic Coaching is a holistic approach to personal and professional growth that integrates the wisdom of the body with the power of the mind. Unlike traditional coaching, which often focuses solely on cognitive and behavioural strategies, somatic coaching acknowledges that our experiences, emotions, and traumas are stored in the body and can profoundly shape how we show up in the world.

It is a collaborative process that empowers individuals or groups to unlock their potential, clarify their goals, and take actionable steps toward achieving them. It focuses on self-discovery, growth, and creating meaningful change.

In sessions, the coach provides a safe and non-judgmental space to explore challenges, identify strengths, and overcome obstacles. Through powerful questioning, active listening, and supportive guidance, coaching helps clients gain clarity, develop new perspectives, and build confidence in their abilities.

Somatic coaching is future-focused and solution-oriented, designed to help clients move from where they are to where they want to be. It can be applied in various areas of life, including personal development, career growth, relationships, and overall well-being.

With a trauma-informed and trauma-healing focus, somatic coaching recognises that past experiences, especially difficult or traumatic ones, can leave imprints in the body. These imprints may manifest as patterns of tension, emotional triggers, or ways of being that no longer serve you. By working gently and skillfully with these patterns, somatic coaching helps you reconnect with your body, build resilience, and move towards healing and empowerment.

Therapeutic Yoga is a gentle, personalised approach to wellness that combines traditional yoga techniques with a focus on healing and supporting individual needs. It integrates mindful movement, breathwork, relaxation, somatic integration and meditation to help restore physical, mental, and emotional balance. Ideal for those experiencing stress, chronic pain, trauma, or physical limitations. 

Therapeutic Yoga can help release tension, enhance resilience, and promote a sense of calm and wellbeing. Sessions are tailored to meet each person’s unique goals and abilities, offering a safe space for holistic healing and self-care.