Somatic therapy in Toorak
Body-based therapy for trauma and for a nervous system that won't settle
In-person somatic therapy and Somatic Experiencing® with certified SEP Rudi Doku in Toorak, for people whose nervous systems haven't caught up with the fact that the hard thing is over. The rooms are an easy trip from Prahran, Windsor and Armadale.
I also see people in Thornbury and Elsternwick, and online across Australia.
The first consultation is free and takes 45 minutes.
Somatic therapy, briefly
Somatic therapy works through the body as well as conversation. Attention goes to sensation and the pace of the nervous system, because that's often where a pattern lives when thinking about it hasn't been enough.
My main training is Somatic Experiencing®, developed by Dr Peter Levine. Sessions are slow and conversational, and nobody has to retell what happened for the work to happen.
Somatic Experiencing® in Melbourne explains the method in full
What people bring
- A body that stays on edge, or feels exhausted however much it rests
- Anxiety and stress that won't settle
- Grief after a death, a separation or a big move
- Burnout after years of pushing through
- The after-effects of an accident, a medical event or childhood experiences
- A career change or relocation that leaves a person unsure who they are now
Somatic Experiencing® can sit alongside medical care and psychiatric treatment, and I'll say so if I think someone needs either.
What a session looks like
We talk, and I invite attention to what's happening in the body as we do. That might be warmth in the hands or a tightening in the throat, and we follow it with curiosity.
We move in small steps between what feels hard and what feels steadier, so the nervous system never gets more than it can manage. Much of a session is conversation, and you choose how much to share. I use Internal Family Systems alongside Somatic Experiencing® when that helps.
Where I see people in Toorak
Also available
In person in Thornbury at Melbourne Integrated Therapies and in Elsternwick at Glo Health, and online in every state and territory of Australia.
Working with me
I'm a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP), certified through Somatic Experiencing International, and I assist on Somatic Experiencing® professional trainings in Melbourne. I've trained with Maggie Kline and Kathy Kain, and I use Internal Family Systems alongside SE when it helps.
Somatic Experiencing International practitioner listing
IFSANZ practitioner directory
I'm not a registered psychologist or psychiatrist. I don't diagnose psychiatric conditions. Sessions aren't Medicare rebatable. I'm also completing postgraduate study in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Ikon Institute.
What clients say
“great to talk to, highly knowledgeable, skilful and empathic”Claire, client
“I came to Rudi at a time of need and found the sessions to be really helpful. He is great to talk to, highly knowledgeable, skilful and empathic. His sense of humour is pretty unique and that helped too. Rudi is very passionate about his work and generous with his follow-up and suggesting practices for in between sessions.”
“real presence and gravitas”Min L, client
“What's rare is finding someone who can be sophisticated, tender and delicate, but at the same time bring real presence and gravitas. The way Rudi creates a space where you feel genuinely heard is remarkable, and it's the first step where you can start getting curious about yourself.”
Questions people ask
You can bring any of these to the consultation, or ask them here first.
Do you offer Somatic Experiencing® in Toorak?
Yes. I'm a certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP) and offer in-person Somatic Experiencing® sessions at 12 Chastleton Avenue in Toorak.
Where in Toorak are sessions held?
At 12 Chastleton Avenue, Toorak VIC 3142. The map on this page has directions.
Can I have sessions online instead?
Yes. I see people online in every state and territory of Australia, and internationally. Some people begin online and move to in-person sessions later.
Do I have to talk about what happened?
No. Many people begin with a single sentence, or with what they notice in their body right now. Going over what happened in detail can leave some people more activated, so we move at a pace the body can manage. You decide how much to share.
How do I book?
Use any of the Book a free 45-minute consultation buttons on this page to pick a time. For session fees, email rudi@rudidoku.com.au and I'll send them to you.
What happens after the free consultation?
If we both want to go ahead, you'll receive a client services agreement to sign online. Once it's signed, you'll complete a short intake form, and then we meet for your first session, which is 90 minutes.
How long are sessions, and what is the cancellation policy?
The first session is 90 minutes. After that, sessions are 60 or 90 minutes, and we decide together which suits you.
I ask for notice to cancel or reschedule, and the client services agreement covers the rest.
When do I pay?
Payment is due when you book a session through my booking system. The free 45-minute consultation has no charge.
Do I need a referral or a mental health plan?
No. Sessions don't need a referral or a mental health plan, and they aren't Medicare rebatable.
What if I'm not sure what I'm dealing with is trauma?
You don't need a diagnosis or a clear story. If something keeps running in your body or your reactions and you'd like it to settle, that's enough reason to talk.
If you're in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.
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Start with a free 45-minute consultation
Pick a time and answer three short questions. Either of us can say it isn't the right fit.