I am writing to you today from the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora nations as I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this Country. I recognise their continuing connection to the land and waters, family, kinship and storytelling. As an immigrant to this beautiful continent, I feel very grateful to live here. I … read more

I am very excited to introduce Anita Whelen Somatic Experiencing Practitioner who joined my practice in January. While we practice in different ways, our work highly compliments each-other. Anita’s background is in body work, while I am a psychodynamic and somatic psychotherapist. Here is a conversation I had with Anita about her work. As a … read more

Since the Better Access to Mental Health Care scheme began in 2006, there has been a great deal of confusion in the public about who can provide therapy and mental health services. Making an educated choice about who you would like to be your therapist has consequently become even more complex.  Being in therapy is … read more

Recently a client of mine showed me the book: Your Resonant Self. I love learning from my clients. Our work reminded her of what she read in the book. I become very intrigued so I had to check it out. Sarah Peyton managed to write a very accessible and practical book to help people with difficult issues … read more

http://www.childhoodtrauma.org.au/2015/august/practicing-shame-resilience Shame is not easy to talk about. It is a powerful emotion and can have trans-generational effects if it is not talked about and processed (Bradshaw, 1988). In order to develop a sense of worth, we need to have a parental figure giving our experience value. (Meares, 2005). If this is lacking, we believe … read more

Some of you know that in May I was lucky enough to be part of Kristin Neff’s advanced self-compassion workshop that was held in Texas. The event itself was very exciting and inspiring as 200+ Daring Way™ Facilitators all over the world gathered to learn from Brené Brown, Kristin Neff and from each other. If … 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

Some of you know that in May I was lucky enough to be part of Kristin Neff’s advanced self-compassion workshop that was held in Texas. The event itself was very exciting and inspiring as 200+ Daring Way™ Facilitators all over the world gathered to learn from Brené Brown, Kristin Neff and from each other. If … 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

My Desire Map workshops start… NOW! The Desire Map started out as a book, written by Danielle LaPorte. From there, it became the driver of over 500 book clubs around the world. At the heart of it all? A commitment to feeling good. Cynics would say that choosing to place your focus on feeling good … 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

The brain, with its billions of neurons, seemed far too complex. ‘Why don’t we just skip the brain and go straight to the organs?’ someone suggested. via Can the Nervous System Be Hacked? – NYTimes.com.  

  The 6 Quantum Secrets to an Amazing LIFE  by Maureen Kitchur    This book is my current favorite. It is a self-help book that takes a slightly satirical look at self-help books J The ideas and techniques are clearly presented, and the explanations with short case studies are really useful and flexible. Maureen Kitchur … read more