Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, constantly battling racing thoughts and a pounding heart? If so, you're not alone. Anxiety affects millions of people worldwide, impacting their daily lives and overall well-being. But there's hope. Enter somatic experiencing, a powerful therapeutic approach that offers relief by targeting the root of anxiety within the body-mind connection. So, what exactly is somatic experiencing? Developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, this approach recognises that trauma and stress can become trapped within the body, leading to symptoms like anxiety, panic attacks, and chronic tension. Somatic experiencing focuses on releasing this stored energy through gentle techniques that reconnect individuals with their bodily sensations and innate healing capacities. Unlike traditional talk therapy, somatic experiencing doesn't rely solely on verbal communication. Instead, it emphasises bodily sensations, movements, and gestures to process and release tension. By tuning into the body's wisdom, clients can gradually learn to regulate their nervous system responses and find a sense of safety and calm. One of the key principles of somatic experiencing is pendulation, which involves gently oscillating between sensations of safety and discomfort. Through this process, clients learn to build tolerance for difficult feelings without becoming overwhelmed, fostering resilience and empowerment. But how does somatic experiencing specifically address anxiety? By guiding clients to notice bodily sensations associated with anxiety, such as tightness in the chest or shallow breathing, therapists help them develop greater awareness and control over their physiological responses. Through mindful exploration and gentle interventions, individuals learn to regulate their nervous system, reducing the intensity and frequency of anxiety symptoms over time. Moreover, somatic experiencing honours each person's unique experiences and coping mechanisms, recognising that healing is a deeply personal journey. Whether you've experienced a traumatic event or simply struggle with everyday stressors, somatic experiencing offers a holistic approach to healing that honours the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. In conclusion, if you're seeking relief from anxiety and yearn for a more embodied sense of well-being, consider exploring somatic experiencing with a qualified therapist. By tapping into the body's innate wisdom and resilience, you can cultivate greater calm, resilience, and vitality in your life. Remember, healing is possible, and you deserve to reclaim your peace of mind. Take the first step towards a brighter tomorrow with somatic experiencing. Book an appointment with Trin, now.

Ever felt like you and your partner just don't see eye-to-eye on certain things? Maybe one of you is all about planning and schedules, while the other prefers to go with the flow. These differences in what we value can cause big problems in relationships. But don't worry! Figuring out why these differences exist and what to do about them doesn't have to be complicated. It's all about talking and listening to each other. So, let's break it down. First, try to understand where each of you is coming from. What's important to you? What do you believe in? This helps you see why you might clash on certain issues. Next, have a chat about your values. Share what matters most to you and listen to what matters most to your partner. This helps you both understand each other better and find common ground. Now, here's the tricky part: finding a balance. You might not always agree on everything, and that's okay! Look for ways to compromise and find solutions that work for both of you. If you're still having trouble, it's okay to ask for help. Talking to a counsellor or therapist can give you new insights and tools to work through your differences. Remember, relationships aren't always easy, but understanding and respecting each other's values is a big step toward making things work.

The Imago Dialogue Technique is a powerful communication method designed to foster deep understanding and connection between partners. Here's a breakdown of how it works: Setting the Stage: The dialogue typically begins with setting a specific time and place where both partners can engage without distractions. Creating a safe and comfortable environment is crucial for open communication. The Sender-Receiver Model: In Imago Dialogue, one partner takes on the role of the Sender, while the other becomes the Receiver. The Sender is encouraged to express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences using "I statements" to avoid blame or criticism. For example, instead of saying "You never listen to me," the Sender might say, "I feel unheard when..." Mirroring: Once the Sender has expressed themselves, the Receiver's role is to mirror back what they've heard without interpretation or judgment. This ensures that the Sender feels truly heard and understood. The Receiver might say, "Let me see if I understand correctly. You feel unheard when... Validation: After mirroring, the Receiver validates the Sender's feelings, acknowledging their experience as valid and important. Validation helps to build trust and empathy between partners. The Receiver might say, "It makes sense that you would feel that way because..." Empathy: Next, the Receiver offers empathy by imagining what it might be like to experience the Sender's emotions or perspective. This step deepens understanding and compassion within the dialogue. The Receiver might say, "I can imagine how frustrating it must be to feel unheard... Switching Roles: Once the Sender feels fully heard and understood, the partners switch roles, with the Receiver becoming the new Sender and vice versa. This ensures that both partners have the opportunity to express themselves and be validated within the dialogue. Closure and Gratitude: At the end of the dialogue, partners express gratitude for each other's willingness to engage in open communication and understanding. This helps to reinforce the connection and mutual respect between them. Overall, the Imago Dialogue Technique provides a structured framework for couples to engage in deep and meaningful communication, fostering empathy, understanding, and connection. By practicing this technique regularly, partners can build stronger, more fulfilling relationships based on trust and mutual support.

Somatic experiencing, rooted in the understanding of the mind-body connection, has the power to revolutionise how we navigate life's challenges. By delving into the sensations and physical responses held within our bodies, somatic experiencing offers a path to healing and growth that traditional talk therapy often overlooks. Imagine a life where instead of feeling overwhelmed by stress or trauma, you possess the tools to regulate your nervous system, bringing calm and balance into even the most chaotic moments. Through somatic experiencing, you learn to listen to the wisdom of your body, understanding its signals and releasing stored tension. As you embark on this journey of self-discovery, you uncover resilience you never knew existed. No longer bound by past traumas or limiting beliefs, you step into a newfound sense of empowerment and authenticity. Relationships deepen as you communicate more openly and connect more deeply with others. With each session, you peel back layers of conditioning, shedding old patterns that no longer serve you. Life becomes a canvas upon which you paint your own story, filled with possibility and purpose. So, dare to embark on this transformative journey. Open yourself to the wisdom of your body, and discover how somatic experiencing can change your life.

Reference: www.seaustralia.com.au Somatic Experiencing® Somatic Experiencing is a pioneering body awareness approach to healing trauma. It focuses on experiencing the ‘felt sense’ in the present moment to relieve the physical, emotional and physiological effects of post traumatic stress disorder and other stress and trauma-related health problems. Worldwide, over 5,000 health-oriented practitioners in a wide variety of fields use SE. SE practitioners include psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, social workers, nurses, cranio sacral therapists, rolfers, EMDR practitioners, acupuncturists, art therapists, massage and physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths. SE seamlessly integrates into either psychotherapeutic or body-oriented therapies and it can also be used very effectively by itself. Somatic Experiencing was founded and developed by Dr. Peter Levine who wrote the well-known book, Waking The Tiger: Healing Trauma. It is based upon the observation that wild prey animals, though threatened routinely, are rarely traumatised. Instead, they utilise innate mechanisms to regulate and discharge the high levels of energy arousal associated with the defensive survival behaviours of fight, flight or freeze. These mechanisms provide animals with ways to deal with trauma that enables them to return to normal in the aftermath of highly ”charged” life-threatening experiences. In this clip you can see the instinctive trauma release of a tranquilised polar bear. He is completely safe during the process. Although humans have virtually the same regulatory mechanisms as animals, the function of these instinctive systems is often overridden or inhibited by the ”rational” part of our more highly developed brain, the neo cortex, or by learned behaviours. These restraints prevent the complete discharge of survival energies and do not allow the nervous system to regain its equilibrium. The body stays in a state of alertness even if the ‘danger’ is no longer present. Over time a variety of symptoms can develop. Using the innate ability humans have to overcome trauma, SE encourages and utilises the awareness of sensations in the body (or somatic experiences) to help people re-negotiate and resolve the effects of their trauma. The approach allows the instinctual actions that were unable to complete at the time of the trauma to be safely and gradually discharged in present time. While gently pacing the process so that each individual can safely assimilate the changes within their nervous system, SE® helps return a sense of aliveness, relaxation and wholeness to the individual. Click on this link to see Youtube clip as an example of an animal's discharge response. The body-oriented psychotherapy approach, Somatic Experiencing® (SE), developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, teaches clients how to track sensation in the body through sensate focus to elicit the intrinsic healing capacity for self-regulation and healing that all humans share. Connecting the client to the experience of their innate healing wisdom supports mastery and restores self-confidence and the inner experience of core intactness regardless of previous experiences. Dianne Poole-Heller MA, LPC, NCC, Ph.D, SE Practitioner.

Here's a secret trick that I find helps me so much, and I'm going to share it with you! When you have to submit any kind of formal writing, be it a letter to an organisation, an application/form, an email, or a blog page even! Be sure to submit it to yourself first on multiple different platforms, before you officially submit it to the intended person/organsiation. It really helps you to find any errors in your writing. For example, when I need to write a formal letter for a client eg a support letter for the courts, it's really important that I get everything correct before I send it off to the Magistrate. So, what I do as a proof reading technique, is write my letter up in Word and when it's complete and ready to send off, I export it to pdf, take a good read over it and then email it to myself as a pdf attachment. I then read both the email and pdf document as if through the eyes of the recipient. It helps me to view my letter from the perspective of the recipient, so that I'm able to see how they might perceive it and thus pick up on any misconceptions and errors; and make amendments where necessary. Similarly, when writing an important email, I'll send it to myself first, so it somehow puts my mind into the reader's perspective and therefore highlights any errors or potential for misinterpretations. I just did it earlier, where I looked at a blog on my mobile phone, that I'd written some time ago. I hadn't detected any errors when reviewing my blog on my laptop, back when.... However, when I viewed it on a different platform altogether, I picked up multiple mistakes and grammar errors! This trick is gold! Now to have a read of this blog on my mobile phone....!

My 20+ years development as a practitioner Many, if not most, of us contend with recurring patterns of challenging emotions and behaviours throughout our lives. Utilising therapy and personal development to transcend these patterns, can help you regain a sense of peace, resolution and balance to your life. I discovered this throughout my own journey to becoming a psychological therapist. My own history began with meditation and personal development. I have had 25 years’ experience in meditation, initially exploring a few different styles such as TM, Buddhist and my own bits and bobs. Nevertheless, for the past 25 years, I have dedicated myself to the meditation style taught by the Clairvision Meditation School. I also embarked on personal development courses, as far back as 1998, with various organisations, along with engaging in psychotherapy. These experiences helped me to begin seeing life beyond a veil of delusion. I was fortunate because not only did Clairvision Meditation School teach me meditation but it also gave me a path of transformation where I could continue my personal development through Inner Space Techniques (IST). Therefore, through the various personal development courses, receiving counselling and immersing myself in IST, I made huge changes in my attitudes, beliefs and challenges that kept me feeling deeply unhappy and dissatisfied with life. The deep inner transformational work I’ve undertaken has resulted in gaining a reconnection to my true Self. And more importantly, it has led me to a life that is exceptionally happy, successful and profoundly fulfilling. I became very passionate about IST as I saw how powerful it was, seeing the changes in myself and others. I had also broken through a lingering bout of depression which to me was a great success and testament to its benefits. This inspiration propelled me. Therefore, after several years of practicing IST and facilitating IST courses, in 2006 I was approved by the Clairivision School of Meditation to become a practitioner. To be a practitioner required at least 700 hours of receiving, and 700 hours of giving IST which by that time, I had more than exceeded. In my early days of learning this therapy style (back in1998), I provided it to countless people both in private sessions and in courses. Then, to substantiate my practice further, I undertook a counselling degree while actively seeing clients. During this time I also co-facilitated running personal development retreats and courses in the United States and Australia. Following the completion of a Counselling degree in 2009, I earned a Master of Social Work in 2015, while running my private practice, and holding positions as Trauma Specialist Counsellor and Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Counsellor for several renowned treatment centres across Sydney - see my Linked-in profile for more details. Having provided counselling in various settings, including trauma, mental health, family, and adolescent facilities, I was committed to staying up-to-date with the most advanced treatments for mental health conditions. Therefore, to better serve my clients and offer the most effective care, I have actively pursued further expertise in therapeutic treatment. This drive led me to study under renowned therapy luminaries, such as Bessel van Der Kolk, Janina Fisher, and Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing), whom I regard as leaders in the field of trauma and therapy. ​ I have worked and counselled men, women and adolescents experiencing alcohol and other drugs concerns, including their families and carers. However, I also found myself addressing complex trauma (e.g. sexual and domestic violence abuse) and mental health problems (e.g. depression, anxiety, personality disorders, bipolar). In addition to individual counselling I facilitated therapy groups on managing depression and anxiety, communication skills, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) (emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness), anger management, domestic/family violence, relationships and relapse prevention (substance-related). ​ From working in a mix of private practice; child and family early intervention; and several drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation centres, coupled with undergoing many years of training; professional development, and not to mention with my own extensive meditation and personal development, I have gained invaluable insights into a diverse range of concerns and individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, cultures and religions. This experience has fostered a deep respect and admiration for the diversity of people. In your treatment, you can rely on my rich background and extensive experience to provide you with a solid, knowledgeable, and dependable source of support.

How can I make the most of my therapy sessions? I have been helping people overcome their struggles for more than 20 years. My approach is guided by a combination of my experience and your personal needs. By combining the two we will ensure you get the most out of your sessions. TIP #1 - Meet your therapist first Talk to your therapist first. Get to know them a little before your treatment (eg when you book your first appointment) - it might save you the time (and money) wondering if you're going to be the right fit. TIP #2 Be willing! A willingness may be needed to go to unexplored territory, and a willingness to allow yourself to feel discomfort (ie feelings that have been blocked for a long time). For change to happen one needs to leave their comfort zone. Note however, there's a great difference between experiencing a little discomfort and being re-traumatised. It's important for the therapist to ensure that clients do not go past their discomfort zone into a trauma zone - as it is counter-productive to treatment. TIP #3 - Practice, practice, practice! Ensure you put into practice (in the outside world) what you learn in the sessions. This will ensure to concretise, make effective, and make the most of your pennies spent! "What fires, hardwires" TIP #4 - Communicate Make sure you communicate with your therapist when you feel any uncertainties about your sessions. It will make your sessions much more real, truthful and 'in the now' - helping you to practice your boundaries and develop a level of trust with your therapist. A great deal of healing often comes from the relationship between the client and the therapist where you get to experience a healthy relationship, first-hand. The sessions themselves are your opportunity to practice with your training-wheels on, in a safe environment to speak up where you can experience validation, being heard and respected. ​ TIP #5 - Have support around you Sometimes when uncovering the things that you've covered up for a long time, you may feel wobbly. During this time, it's important that you have support around you, particularly people you trust; and those who understand you. It is through processing the difficult patches that you will begin seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. TIP #6 - If you feel you're telling your therapist too much, you probably are! I'll say that again: if you feel that you're telling your counsellor/therapist too much, you probably are (or have done). Note: this is an entire blog-worthy piece right here. It does not mean that the counsellor/therapist is not able to withstand whatever you tell them. This is far from the truth. It's the feeling of 'overexposure' (overstepping an internal boundary) that is important to prevent, as this can feel traumatising at times. A good therapist checks in and monitors to prevent overexposure throughout their sessions. Therefore, trust this feeling and don't tell them. It's really important that you don't violate your own boundary by oversharing within your counselling session. There's a misconception that when you go to counselling you have to bear all. Well, it's not quite the truth, It's really important that you share only what you feel comfortable with, and let the psychologist / counsellor/ therapist work with you to uncover things safely. TIP #7 - If you feel wobbly... If you feel wobbly (eg having suicidal thoughts or other thoughts of self-harm) after you've left a session, it is important to make sure you speak with your psychologist/counsellor/psychotherapist about this; ensuring you have a support plan in place for outside the sessions. This may involve calling support lines (Lifeline, 1800Respect, 000, MH Crisis) TIP #8 - Don't give up And lastly, don't give up without some consideration. It's often when it seems you're experiencing the most difficult of times when breakthroughs can happen. Sometimes things get worse before they get better. If you follow these tips, you will likely have successful treatment, get value for money and have a great, trusting relationship with your therapist. Call Trin on 0404 506 507, or contact her on info @ life inspired.com.au for more details.

Numbers to call if you are in crisis: 'If you're thinking about ending your life, considering harming yourself, or you're at risk of being harmed by someone else (eg domestic violence), PLEASE call one of these numbers: ​ LIFELINE: 131114 Emergency Services: 000 NSW Rape Crisis: (an excellent 24hr support line if there has ever been a history of sexual assault: 1800 424 017 Kids Helpline (for ages 5-25 years old): 1800 551 800 Suicide call-back service: 1300 659 467 Mental Health Crisis line: 1800 011 511 1800Respect (for domestic or family violence support): 1800 737 732

Inner Space Techniques (IST) IST is a set of therapeutic and healing techniques based on the inner space of meditation. It incorporates: Inner Space Interactive Sourcing therapy Meditation Relaxation and Recuperation Clearing Therapy Inner Space Interactive Sourcing The Inner Space Interactive Sourcing therapy (ISS), was first developed over 25 years ago by Samuel Sagan M.D., the founder of Clairivision School of Meditation, together with a team of physicians, psychologists, naturopaths, and other health practitioners. ISS therapy evovled into a fully mature therapy and is practiced by hundreds of practitioners internationally. ISS therapy was initially developed to help meditators, meditate. It was a process that helped eliminate the emotional issues which generated thoughts, resulting in thought-filled meditation. It was found to be so beneficial to the meditator, and conducive to their self-transformation that, 20 years ago, it was introduced as a therapy. ISS therapy is a meditative technique that facilitates a gentle, safe and supportive space for the client to explore and unlock what is hidden in their depths and which unconsciously drives them. The ordinary thinking mind gets out of the way, allowing the client to really see with immense clarity what is going on. To see what happened, when, how and the mechanisms involved. There is an inherent wisdom in the process that makes it safe and gentle. As the name suggests, ISS therapy is about sourcing. When an emotional blockage is sourced back to its origin ie back to teens, early childhood or further, profound metaphysical shifts take place. When these origins are explored, it is not the 'story' that is important, what is most relevant are the feelings around the event that took place: that left you with an emotional scar. Not only is extraordinary insight gained, which in itself creates changes, but there is a spiritual and healing dimension to the experience which is the very heart of, and unique to ISS. The insight and healing takes place at such a depth that standard counselling and psychological analysis cannot reach. This treatment is not necessarily for everybody. In some cases it may be more beneficial and healing by learning and developing practical skills for everyday living. You can feel assured to know that you are in control of every aspect of your sessions whether it be ISS therapy or in counselling/psychotherapy and may choose the direction at all times. Meditation As part of IST, I teach the basics of meditation. Not only do you resolve emotional blockages with ISS therapy, you also learn a way to create stillness, and silence, to practice and stabilise yourself. A great deal of research has been conducted on meditation, proving its benefits with reducing stress and aiding many other ailments. FAQ'S AND COMMON COMMENTS: Q. "I cannot meditate - I think too much and can't sit still" A. Yes you can! This is why you learn to meditate. Everyone can meditate. The whole art of meditation is recognising when the thoughts come in and then returning back to your meditative practice. This is a very common experience. Trust me, if i can meditate anyone can! Q. "I start to feel guilty, knowing I have a lot of things to do" A. Sit through it. It is just your mind coming up with an excuse to still run the show. You can do it! Q. "Gardening, yoga, surfing, jogging or walking is my form of meditation" A. This is not really meditation. Meditation is about learning to sit in silence and stillness, allowing the thoughts to come and go. Doing these activities is still engaging some level of your mind. Mindfulness is better suited for when you're performing activities. You CAN do it! If you have any other questions or concerns about meditation, whatsoever, call me or contact me. I have a question about meditation.... Relaxation and Recuperation Techniques Sometimes you need to deeply relax. I don't mean sit on the couch and put the TV on, but getting that sense of recuperation at a deep level can be incredibly rejuvenating. I will teach you techniques on how to do this and take you through the process itself. It is a powerful way to sink into the deeper layers of your body of energy which brings profound rest. Clearing Therapy It can be quite difficult for people to believe other parts of us exist beyond our physical selves, beyond our ordinary mental consciousness (or our mind). Non-physical realities have been documented for thousands of years in ancient texts, and understood as a natural phenomenon in many cultures and countries. It is often the Western cultures that typically dismiss and mock these other realities. While in other countries and cultures like China, Japan, India, Indonesia, the Americas and parts of Europe, these non-physical realities are as clear as day. To experience realities beyond our mind can, for some, be incredibly threatening and terrifying. The very thought of it may be inconceivable. This can result in restricting us to our mind's own confines; where it is then easier to disbelieve and mock other realities, or other people's experiences of other realities. Over the past 20 years and through training and mediation practices, I have developed the capability of seeing non-physical realities. Contrary to what our ordinary minds like to believe, non-physical realities do exist. The ordinary mind just cannot perceive them. It's the mind's nature not to! It requires another part of awareness to be able to perceive this. The same awareness that is developed through simple meditation. The reason I raise this is because another part of my practice involves 'clearing'. Just as one can pick up a parasite which brings on a cold, flu or some other illness, it is possible to catch a parasite of the body of energy. These parasites can create havoc in its host - including addictions, overweightedness, sexual problems, illnesses, and behavioural problems. Parasites of the body of energy is a concept familiar to many forms of traditional medicine including Ayurveda, Chinese and even Balinese medicine. I too am trained to identify and remove such energetic parasites. What can come from a clearing is a huge sense of relief to finally understand and make sense of what has been happening. Not to mention a sense of closure from the issue.

Some areas we may explore, learn skills and bring change to, include (but not limited to): addiction alcohol and other drugs anger anxiety and stress complex trauma communication skills confidence and self-esteem depression distress tolerance (managing distressing situations) discovering your true Self domestic and family violence emotion regulation (keeping yourself on track) frustration general unhappiness grief and loss mental health meditation mindfulness mood disorders parenting adolescents relationships relaxation and recuperation sexual abuse spiritual direction suicide and self-harm ideation Therapy models used: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reintegration (EMDR) Harm reduction Inner Space Techniques (IST) Meditation Mindfulness Motivational Interviewing Relapse Prevention Somatic Experiencing (in training) Somatic psychotherapy (IST) Trauma Informed

This is a case study about Sally who was successfully treated with EMDR. (Note: There is no identifiable information in this blog as I see many women for sexual trauma, and the following scenario is not uncommon). Sally was a lady who came to see me for therapy to treat a sexual trauma that happened 5 years ago. She was in her mid 20's when the incident happened where she was sexually assaulted by a drunken man one night. She was greatly affected by this event and was diagnosed with PTSD and experienced anxiety, depression, ongoing nightmares, hypervigilance, flashbacks and had a lot of fear going out when it was dark, or being alone in the company of men. She would jump whenever someone approached her from behind, and became irritable whenever her partner would come up to giver her a surprise hug. These symptoms caused great distress to Sally for many years, and impacted her relationship, social life, employment and overall wellbeing. Sally came to me for some counselling sessions as she felt her symptoms were getting in the way of a healthy relationship and enjoying daily life. She saw me 4 times overall. The first session I conducted my normal assessment with her; exploring what brought her to come for treatment. I ascertained her history and some basic details about the incident, and by the third session we conducted EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reintegration) on the actual incident. After implementing the actual eye movement, Sally reported that when she thought about the incident, she no longer felt triggered into her trauma response (anxiety, hypervigilance, overwhelm etc) and she left the session feeling a little bit tired from the processing that took place, but grateful to not feel triggered when thinking about it. Sally came back for a fourth and final session about a month later. She reported of great success after that one session of conducting the eye movement. And, to her own surprise, she was able to go out at night alone without having to look over her shoulder. She also no longer jumped when her boyfriend hugged her by surprise; no longer had nightmares; and dropped her overall jumpiness. Her PTSD symptoms had gone. We were both elated that she could now return to enjoying a normal life.