Somatic Psychotherapy Melbourne
by Sue Dawson

An Integrated Approach to Counselling, Psychotherapy and Mindfulness

Please complete the contact form and I will call to discuss how my work can support you.

How does it work?

Somatic Therapy encourages you to explore issues using the whole ‘body’ response as well as your conscious awareness. Thought, emotion and body awareness are experienced as inter-connected aspects of your whole being.

Somatic Psychotherapy offers the opportunity to soothe anger and distress, celebrate joys and achievements, unravel shame, make space for grief, help build tolerance for changing states of being, enhance resilience and the ability to trust and engage with others. This enables you to address deep seated concerns that take time to explore.

Why?

Through Somatic Psychotherapy, my clients gain greater insight into their triggers, behaviours and how they can better manage these situations – without blame or fear – to gain more of what they desire in their lives.

The word somatic comes from the ancient Greek somat (body). The word psychology comes from the ancient Greek psyche (soul, mind) and logia (study). The belief that the psyche (the mind) and soma (the body) form a single entity (the mindbody) forms the basis for somatic therapy.

Somatic Psychotherapy can improve body awareness, relieve stress, balance the nervous system, mobilise posture and help you develop a sense of vitality, aliveness and movement.

So what is Somatic Therapy?

Somatic Psychotherapy is a comprehensive and holistic approach to personal growth and development. This approach acknowledges that the processes of the body/mind not only affect and reflect each other, but are inter-functioning aspects of your whole being, and that your individual experiences and reactions are inextricably interconnected.

Contemporary somatic therapists, working with the psycho-organic processes of emotion, sensation, desire, breath and a range of other bodily experiences, incorporates understandings of the complexities of human experience and consciousness.

Philosophical and theoretical assumptions as well as therapeutic practice derived from existential phenomenology, self psychology, intersubjectivity, dynamic systems theory, infant research and attachment theory, trauma theory as well as post modern and post structural thinking fundamentally shape and inform the theoretical basis of contemporary somatic therapy.

What Can It Do for You?

Sue and her clients explore issues of concern and how these are expressed in everyday life; in relationships and in the body. You can expect to be treated with empathy and respect and to be supported non-judgementally, while you explore your concerns, worries, fears and distress.

Psychotherapy is usually undertaken as a medium to longer term therapy.
Consultations are weekly or fortnightly and extend for 50 to an hour in duration. Over time, you will learn to recognise old patterns of behaviour and identify new ways of being that encourage the kinds of relationships you want in your life.

Recognition

Sue’s training and experience is recognised by Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Psychotherapy is not psychiatry and consultations do not receive Medicare rebates.
Your Health Insurance Fund may provide some rebate.

To find out more or make a booking, please:

What our clients say about Emotional Wellbeing Centre

"Sue Dawson has greatly assisted me with issues from my past, which unbeknownst to me, were still affecting my life. I had one session with her where we chatted in depth, followed by a Kinesiology treatment. Throughout this process I felt comfortable, secure and confident. Sue is a proficient, knowledgable and capable practitioner and counselor, and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking relief with emotional/psychological issues. Sue shows a caring and kind regard for her patients and there is a genuineness about her that is refreshing."

"I highly recommend Sue. Our 6yo son was having difficulties expressing his emotions after some difficulties at school. Sue was very caring, kind, and showed empathy towards our son and what he had been facing. We were very pleased with the results after our first session. And things only improved from there. Thank you Sue for helping our family."

"Over the past year, Sue has made profound differences for me in many areas. On a personal level through mind and body, she adapts our sessions each week accordingly as the journey of day to day life naturally evolves. Her sessions have also expanded to play truly beneficial roles from dealing with physical and chronic pain in the early days right through to her innate ability in playing a key role for my approach to business, with what I would now class as business coaching. I highly recommend Sue and want to thank her too for making a real difference for me."

"We went to see Sue for my teenage daughter who had the longterm habit of picking her fingers quite badly which resulted in sores and calluses. Sue was very gentle and supportive when dealing with my daughter. After the first session, my daughter understood why she picked and was much more aware of herself doing it. She actually didn't pick for a whole week after the first session! A second session was all we needed to help my daughter break the habit. Her fingers are now looking beautiful and she is very proud of herself. I am so glad we went to see Sue, it was definitely worth it!"

Emotional Wellbeing Centre