On the Labour Day weekend just gone, I attended the 30th anniversary conference of ANZAP, the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychotherapy. While there was a strong sense of celebration at our collective achievements, and we were encouraged at the continuing success of the Conversational Model of Psychotherapy, we were also keenly aware that our … read more

Dear Brave Friends, I am sending you this nice warming image in this ‘cold winter’ morning. I am originally from Hungary so I still feel spoiled by our beautiful winter here in Sydney 🙂 The quote on the picture is from a book I read recently: The Examined Life, by Stephen Grosz. Such a beautiful … read more

Human memory is a sensory experience, says psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk. Through his longtime research in trauma treatment, he shares what he’s learning about how bodywork like yoga or eye movement therapy can restore a sense of goodness and safety. Source: Bessel van der Kolk — Restoring the Body: Yoga, EMDR, and Treating Trauma

I work using integrative methods of trauma treatment to help my clients. In our conversations and during treatment the Polyvagal theory comes up. I collected a few easy to digest information to help understand how this theory changed treatment and how can you help yourself using simple methods.   Great informational website by one of … read more

Following the royal commission investigation and George Pell’s testimony, I feel furious. Shame and all effects of trauma grows exponentially if it is surrounded by, secrecy , silence and judgment. The royal commission is providing an opportunity to shine some empathy and compassion towards the survivors, and by doing so, reduce their suffering. It seems … read more

EMDR is a trauma treatment. It stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. Quite different from the talk therapies. This short report can explain and demonstrate for you how it works. I successfully used EMDR and other brain-based treatment like Brainspotting in the treatment of trauma. If you have been suffering and have not tried these … read more

Over 21 practical, hands-on suggestions offered by both professionals and survivors for how to cope with PTSD stress during the holidays. Source: PTSD Holiday Stress Roundup | Professional Perspective | Heal My PTSD

I am very grateful to have been able to share this series on trauma from a good friend and colleague: Barbara Schmidt. Find this information essential and easy to read. Please check it out: http://counsellingsomatic.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/corrective-experience-creates-new.html   http://counsellingsomatic.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/when-trauma-symptoms-take-over-as.html?spref=fb    

The next addition to my dear colleague and friend Barbara Schmidt’s trauma series: We have a nerve that helps us to calm down and to self regulate –this great “ relaxer nerve” (parasympathetic nerve) develops in babies only via its care takers: Skin contact helps it to come online and loving, tender touchhelps it to … read more

This is the second part of trauma education by my friend and colleague and fellow Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner: Barbara Schmidt check out her website:  www.counsellingsomatic.com.au. When someone is stressed out & irrational it makes sense to explore negative thinking and to help that person to return to rational thinking (CBT). In Trauma however the frontal … read more

  This is a great article by a good friend and colleague: Barbara  Schmidt www.counsellingsomatic.com.au Most people have heard about fight and flight: It’s a survival mechanism that kicks into place when we are in danger and chatting and smiling don’t work anymore. The new situation requires us to do something different: We now need to … read more