Somatic Psychotherapy

…is often referred to as a body orientated psychotherapy that sees the body as the holder of all information, both current and historical.

Why Somatic Therapy

The rise and fall of our feelings is a good indicator of our well-being.

Many of us use distractions such as addictions, overeating, or bad relationships to avoid feelings. Others may find their reactions to stressful situations are extreme and don’t understand why.

One way not to feel is to intellectualise, analyse, obsess and blame. The degree to which you do not feel is the degree to which you are not in your body and the degree to which you are not in your body is the degree to which you are NOT HERE.

And if you are not here then who is living this precious life you have been given?

How Is It Practised?

Somatic Psychotherapy utilizes many different approaches – psychodynamics, focusing, mindfulness and body awareness among others – however a good client therapist relationship is of primary importance.

Rita’s intention is to support her clients through difficult life situations by developing awareness of formative, often self limiting beliefs. These beliefs may cause reactive responses to situations which could be responded to more helpfully. These formative beliefs may also contribute to low self esteem, relationship difficulties and/or negative body image. There is a strong orientation here toward mindfulness ie becoming aware of how our past impacts on the present.

As awareness evolves the individual begins to identify their unique wants and desires and may recognise how often these are either not known, or confused and frustrated.

New options are then explored and new choices then become possible. Rita trusts in the individual’s personal inner wisdom and the innate healing powers of the human organism.

What are the Benefits?

This process will naturally unfold differently for each individual, but some of the benefits you will experience are:

• Heightened self awareness and the ability to ‘feel’ your body, leading to greater creativity, spontaneity and emotional strength – 'Aliveness'
• Increased skill in identifying and satisfying your own needs and desires.
• Insight into the role played within your family system and how it relates to your self image.
• Richness, depth and joy in relationships with self and others.
• A clearer and more stable, confident self image.
• Awareness and respect for your own and others’ boundaries.
• Decreased anxiety and the ability to deal appropriately with emotions.

Contact Rita for more information or assistance.