How somatic psychotherapy protects psychologists and rebuilds bridges.
This experiential workshop explores how somatic (body-informed) and relational approaches can protect and empower therapeutic work before, within and after expanded states of consciousness (e.g. mindfulness, meditation, trauma responses, and psychedelic-assisted experiences). Expanded states can activate non-verbal memory, early relational patterns, affective experiences, and systemic dynamics that may be inaccessible or easily missed through ‘top-down' approaches alone.
Somatic and relational frameworks offer potent opportunities to re-engage these subtle yet foundational social learning patterns, with important implications for both therapists and clients. Akin to a bridge, it is through our own nervous system where psychologists clumsily but progressively learn how to 'hold' relationship across both ‘ordinary’ and ‘non-ordinary’ states.
Workshop participants will be guided through experiential practices that rebuild somatic awareness, therapeutic presence, and curiosity. Skills that are particularly relevant for those of us trained within individualistic cultural contexts, where opportunities for embodied regulation through movement, music, and connection to nature are limited.
Grounded in somatic, neurobiological, and relational approaches, the workshop aims to strengthen therapeutic relationships, protect psychologist’s health and career enjoyment, prevent burnout, and contribute to ongoing developmental repair for clients, clinicians and communities beyond the therapy setting. It positions somatic awareness as essential to sustainable and effective clinical practice in complex therapeutic contexts.
Presented by Dr Emily Tunks.
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