Why see me

I am a Chartered Physiotherapist, trained to assess the whole body and the nervous system and to reach a clinical diagnosis. In addition to working across a full medical setting of musculoskeletal medicine, neurology, cardiac and respiratory and much more I am also trained in both hospital and community mental health settings, so I can follow the thread between the physical, the neurological and the psycho-emotional, the developmental pieces which play out in health and relationship in later life. I have developed strong working relationships with GPs and consultants to ensure I can provide a whole safe package of care.

Many of my clients and patients express that they choose to work with me because of that solid medical and physiological background which underpins the somatic trauma therapy work.

Am I right for you?

The best test is how you feel in the first conversation. You are welcome to ask about my training, my approach to touch, and what working together would involve before you book anything further. If I am not the right fit, I will say so and, where I can, point you to someone who is.

Trauma happens in isolation, repair happens in relationship. My work is very relational. Slow, steady and attuned.

Skilled touch

Many trauma practitioners are not working with the body and certainly not using touch at all. If we are working with early developmental and childhood patterns in a person then I believe it’s imperative that touch is considered.

A baby cannot be settled by words alone, Tone of voice, our energetic presence and a steady caring nervous system of a parent or other is how we learn to feel safe and settled. How in time we learn to be robust later in life. How to feel safe in relationship.

I use it with care, with your agreement at every step, and with the precision of someone who has handled bodies for decades. You decide whether it is part of our work and you can change your mind at any moment.

Lived experience

I have experienced life threatening illness and chronic pain myself. I understand the frustration of living life on the brink then finding a way to heal and make a full recovery.

I bring to my work, not only many academic qualifications and experience in Practice, but also a lived experience which brings deep and meaningful understanding of what you a going through.

I spent 8 years figuring out how to resolve and fully heal from a condition which disabled me long before the somatic and trauma world had reached the level of awareness it has now. I know what its like to live with agonising pain, to cry at the hopeless feelings, the crashes along the road to recovery, how to befriend a body that might feel like our enemy at times. Many patients / clients tell me this was instrumental in choosing to work with me.

Reasons to see me

Your pain is chronic or repeated, fatigue or tension has not been explained by scans and tests
You have several issues like pain, autoimmune and mental health struggles and wonder if they are linked
You want someone with a solid medical based training underpinning the work
You are searching for someone who can help you with an holistic approach
Old experiences or family patterns still affect your relationships
Talking therapy alone has not reached the body
You want a practitioner who is comfortable with touch, offered with consent

Alternatives

You have a acute back or neck pain, sprain, sports injury or straightforward joint problem: see the team at RDPhysio
You are in crisis or at immediate risk: please contact your GP, NHS 111 or Samaritans on 116 123
You need a psychiatric assessment or a medication review: I will work alongside your GP or psychiatrist

Body & relationship together

Our defences verbally, physical bracing, and resistances reveal that which was and still is too much to bear, what may have been overwhelming for our system at some time in the past and it remains today with pain and life struggles as a result. I work with both, rather than treating the body in one room and the relationships in another.

Exploring roots not symptoms

When your mind may not be aware of reasons, there are ways of finding the underlying reasons for your pain, fatigue, relationship issues, life challenges and disease. I work with what lies underneath long-standing pain, fatigue and tension, including the effects of early experience. We still look after the symptom while we do it.

A steady grounding in mindfulness

With 2 decades exploring martial arts, Zen philosophy, my own healing and deep therapy work I’ve developed an ability to steady and support people’s nervous systems. I have explored indigenous tribal traditions, music and movement in healing trauma too. Many people grew up without stable experiences and need to experience something new.

Frequently asked Questions

Is Somatic Therapy right for me? How do I know?

It may suit you if talking therapy has helped but not reached the body, or if pain, fatigue or tension have not been explained by tests.

It is not the right place for a straightforward sports injury, or if you are in crisis.

Do I need a GP referral

No. You can contact my knowledgeable warm front of house team and they can assist you. You will always speak with a real person from my team, not AI. You can of course book directly online with the links on this page. Sessions can be in person or online.

Whenever you are ready

A first message does not commit you to anything. My front of house team will help you find the right time.