Somatic Therapy and EFT
What is Somatic Therapy and what is EFT?
Somatic Therapy is very much like traditional talking therapies such as counselling, but also involves a 'somatic' (body based) element as well. This body centred approach incorporates the mind-body connection into therapy, as - whilst cognitive processing is always beneficial - trauma happens to your body, not just your brain, so for best results, both need to be involved in healing.
EFT stands for 'emotional freedom techniques' or 'emotionally focused therapy'. It is a type of somatic therapy and stress management tool also known as 'tapping.’ It includes elements of acupressure, like reflexology, and can include the use of eye movements and audio tones as with EMDR.
I choose to use EFT as it is so accessible and easy to learn, and although very gentle, remains incredibly effective.
" EFT is a technique that combines modern psychology with the traditions of acupuncture,
using fingertip pressure on points on the face and body. "
- Paul Lynch: EFT Founding Master, Advanced Practitioner and Research Team volunteer
" EFT - an integrative individual therapy that focuses on emotion as the key determinant of personality development and of psychotherapeutic change. In sessions, the therapist helps the client to become aware of, accept, make sense of, and regulate emotions as a way of resolving problems and promoting growth. Techniques are drawn from client-centered therapy,
gestalt therapy, and cognitive behaviour therapy. "
- APA definition
What happens in session?
During session we will spend some time talking - just like traditional counselling - and some time using somatic techniques, like EFT/tapping - literally 'tapping' yourself on various acupressure points on the face and the upper body.
You choose what we talk about and decide what to work on. I lead you through all of the exercises so you can follow along and learn them for yourself.
So as well as talking through whatever you need to, by using somatic methods like tapping you can also regulate your nervous system, release stored stress from your body, even restructure negative thoughts - that's neuroplasticity!
Sessions are always at your pace and it is up to you what we discuss and work on each time - I am guided by whatever you bring to the session.
More questions?
My Practice
Who am I?
Hi! I'm Meg!
I don't do small talk; I like to deep dive right in!
I'm AuDHD and live with c-PSTD, so, you could say that's my niche! It's this combination of personal and professional understanding of trauma, neurodivergence, chronic illness and the perfect storm they can create - especially when attachment issues and shadow wounds are also in the mix - that gives me the particular perspective that resonates for the clients that choose to work with me.
What's my why?
I believe we all have a 'box' - somewhere inside where we keep our deepest, darkest things - where our trauma goes to hide. When things happen to us that we cannot process or comprehend, we lock them away, sometimes for a very long time.
The thing is, we cannot keep the lid on the box forever; this can come out in chronic illness, affect our interpersonal relationships, and sometimes, an occurrence in our lives can spring the lid right open, and we can be overwhelmed by all those things we worked to hard to push down and forget!
This is why I choose somatics; because what happened to you happened to your body, your nervous system, not just your mind, so why would you not also involve them in your healing?
"if you can feel it, you can heal it."
My job is to give you a safe space to sort through this box, at your pace, with gentle techniques, to actually feel what is there, process what you need to, and release what no longer serves you.
Your nervous system loves you so much, it just wants you to survive. This is the journey back to thriving, too.