Blog

SE Touch Therapy uses gentle, intentional touch to support trauma recovery, regulate the nervous system, and heal developmental trauma. This blog dives into the neurobiology of therapeutic touch, offering insights on its benefits for attachment, affect regulation, and resilience in trauma therapy.

Somatic Resilience and Regulation (SRR) was created by Kathy L. Kain and Stephen J. Terrell. It focuses on understanding the effects of early Developmental Trauma by understanding the neurochemistry of early trauma, and rebuilding developmental platforms through regulation.

Trauma can be defined as is a state of high arousal in which normal coping mechanisms are overwhelmed in response to a perceived threat. Unresolved trauma leaves us with overwhelming experiences that cannot be integrated.

Polyvagal theory comes out of the work of neuroscientist Dr Stephen Porges. Polyvagal theory can be understood as the science of safety. The theory provides us with a physiological and psychological understanding of our autonomic nervous system.

Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a body oriented approach created by Dr Peter Levine, that aims to resolve symptoms of stress, shock, and trauma that accumulate in the body when we are stuck in patterns of fight, flight, or freeze.

The theory of structural dissociation of the personality is a trauma model that characterises people with complex trauma as having a division or fragmentation of their personality.

EMDR therapy is a highly effective evidence based treatment for trauma and PTSD, and it's available in Brisbane. EMDR uses eye movements and other techniques to help individuals process traumatic experiences and reduce symptoms. Learn more about EMDR therapy and how it can help.

According to attachment theory created by John Bowlby, attachment patterns are formed in the context of early experiences with caregivers and maintained by later interpersonal relationships in adulthood.

There are two different pathways in the brain that cause anxiety. The current neuroscience research shows us that anxiety occurs due to what's known as either bottom-up triggering of emotion or top-down triggering of emotion.

What constitutes good therapy for me may well be very different for you. What I can share with you, is my own perspectives as a client, clinician and human on the approaches I believe form the fertile ground for good therapeutic work.

Imposter syndrome has become a common phrase nowadays with many people feeling as though they have or have had imposter syndrome in their life. Recent research has also found that imposter syndrome, at some point or another, affects 70% of the population. So what exactly is Imposter syndrome?

Carl Jung proposed that everyone carries a “Shadow” and that each person’s shadow was really a personification of all the things that they refuse to believe or acknowledge about themselves.

We can think of the shadow then, is the embodiment of our deepest, darkest and most secret parts of ourselves that we dare not reveal to anyone.

During a traumatic experience (any event that overwhelms our nervous system) our brains and bodies will respond automatically and without conscious choice. ⁠These instinctive trauma responses happen in milliseconds outside of our conscious awareness. This means the pre-frontal cortex (thinking brain) is offline and there is no conscious decision being made.

Boundaries, who need's em? Short answer - Everyone!Now if only setting boundaries with the people in our lives could be simple. The thing is, it’s often challenging, anxiety provoking and can feel complex.The thought of discussing healthy and specific boundaries with those closest to us can leave us with feelings of fear and anxiety.

The practice of self-compassion has been gaining increasing interest recently. You may have heard about self-compassion through the work of Dr Kristin Neff, who is a pioneering self-compassion teacher, author and researcher. But what exactly is Self-compassion and how do we tap into it as a powerful resource?

Yes, boundary setting or saying no can at time feel a little risky, In part one of this blog series on boundaries I spoke about the reasons you might not be able to say no and what it means to people please. I also spoke about the ability to set a healthy boundary means that you are able to communicate your needs, you’re prioritizing you and clearly letting other people know you’ve got a dedication to an attitude of self-care.

As a therapist, I’m professionally trained to hold space. That is, I’ve learnt how to be with people in pain. Where-as most people learn or are used to avoiding pain and numbing their emotions, being able to sit with another person’s pain and experiences is my super power. If I was to define what the term holding space means I would say that It is our willingness and ability to be along side someone in their experience of pain.

In Japan, broken objects are often repaired with gold. The ‘flaw’ is seen as a unique piece of an objects history, that adds to its beauty. What the ancient art of Kintsugi can teach us about healing trauma and seeing beauty in our ‘imperfections’

As a group facilitator, I work with a here and now focus. This means that there is an emphasis on direct interpersonal interactions between group members. My role is to create a safe group environment for group therapy members. The group space is a safe and supportive container for people to be able to examine their interactions with one another, gain awareness and strengthen connection.

The definition of mindset is an attitude which includes the beliefs you have about yourself, your talents and what ultimately gets realised in your life. Put simply our mindset it the lens or filter in which we view the world and our experiences. How you view yourself or the lens through which you see yourself can have a significant impact when it comes to what you experience in your life.

What Is Anger? Anger is a normal and healthy human emotion that we all experience. Feelings of anger can range from irritation, to frustration to rage. All of us feel and express emotions including anger, in response to our assessment of a situation or what's happening in the moment. Our emotions are neurochemical and physiological, which means we feel the emotion in our body and conscious articulation and understanding of our emotions come later.

This pandemic experience is a massive experiment in collective vulnerability. We can be our worst selves when we are afraid, or our very best bravest selves. In the context of fear and vulnerability there is often very little in between, because when we are uncertain and afraid, our default is self-protection. We don't have to be scary when we are scared. Let’s choose to be awkward, brave and kind. And let’s choose each other - Brene Brown

Mindfulness activities can help us to focus our attention, especially when we are feeling stressed or overwhelmed by a strong emotion. The more we develop and cultivate mindfulness (a bit like a muscle) the easier it is for us to experience states of peace and calm. When we are mindful we can choose how we want to respond to challenging situations, rather than becoming reactive in the moment.

Brain spotting is a 21st Century, relational, highly attuned therapy, which is one of the increasing number of brain-based therapies, that go beyond the mind, to gain direct access to the subcortical brain and process trauma.

The safe and sound protocol is an evidence based therapy that can be used alongside trauma therapy. It supports the body and nervous system in experiencing cues of safety as well as increasing flexibility and the capacity for self-regulation.