Why thinking differently doesn't always settle it

Your nervous system responds to signs of danger and uncertainty, sometimes before you've worked out what's going on. Take someone who has to tell their manager that a deadline is unrealistic. They've rehearsed it and know what they want to say. As the meeting gets closer their breathing changes and their stomach tightens, and they start wondering whether to say anything at all.

Their body may be reacting to the chance of conflict or disapproval, whatever they believe about the conversation. Somatic work lets us notice that and see how it shapes their choices.

How Somatic Experiencing approaches anxiety

Sessions mix conversation with attention to what you feel in your body and how revved up or shut down you are. We might explore what happens when you imagine that conversation. You may notice tension in your shoulders or an urge to look away. We stay with it carefully and notice when it builds and what helps it ease.

Over time the aim is to recognise anxiety earlier and respond to it without being run by it. Changes vary from person to person, and I can't promise a particular outcome.

The part that keeps worrying

Anxiety is often tied to a pressure to get everything right. One part of you may believe that staying vigilant prevents mistakes, while another criticises you for worrying so much. Internal Family Systems lets us get curious about both while we notice what's happening in your body.

Do I need to know what's causing it?

No. Plenty of people can't point to a time when anxiety began. We can start with what you notice today and how it affects your days, and you don't need to give a full history first.

What the research says

Evidence that Somatic Experiencing works for anxiety disorders is limited. CBT has a substantially stronger evidence base for them, and I wouldn't call somatic work equivalent. Some people find body-based work useful for understanding their stress responses and practising ways to manage them, often alongside other care.

Questions people ask

What if I have panic attacks? We can talk about it on the free call. New or unexplained physical symptoms should be checked by a doctor, and frequent or severe panic attacks may need care from a GP or registered mental health professional.

How is this different from CBT? CBT usually works with thoughts, behaviours and responses to feared situations. Somatic Experiencing pays more attention to what you feel in your body.

Can sessions be online? Yes, from anywhere in Australia, where it suits your circumstances.

What does it cost? Fees are on a sliding scale, currently $140 to $220 per session. Sessions aren't Medicare rebatable, and no referral is needed. The first session is 90 minutes, then 60 or 90.

About me

I'm a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and a Teaching Assistant with Somatic Experiencing International, with IFS Level 1 training. I see people in Thornbury and Elsternwick, and online.

Start with a free call

You don't need to wait until anxiety becomes overwhelming. A free 45-minute call lets us talk through what you're experiencing and see whether somatic work might help.

Persistent anxiety can have medical or psychological causes that deserve proper assessment. I don't diagnose anxiety disorders, and somatic work can be used alongside appropriate medical or psychological care.