Somatic Psychotherapy

A welcoming space for you to explore what therapy may mean for you

Therapy is, of course, a courageous journey that can take you through a process of self-discovery and healing. My therapy invites you to explore all of you. Your thoughts, your feelings, body sensations and your experiences within what I hope you will come to find is a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate and comfortable space.

Welcome and thank you for being here.

I offer an integrative approach that is humanistic, person centred and multi-layered. Compassionate Inquiry® is the foundation upon which I work integrating other somatic and embodiment modalities I am familiar with and have a passionate interest including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing (SE) and Polyvagal theory as well as trauma Informed embodiment tools, spirituality and extensive plant medicine & shamanic wisdoms. All have been instrumental in my own healing of addictions, mental health, trauma and chronic illnesses, which informs my work with others.

I work very holistically and see therapy as an art form. Each client brings a new energy to the space, so my approach adapts, accordingly to meet your very own needs.

I have a private practice in West Footscray and I also work with people worldwide.

Client testimonial:

During my time working with Ana, I learned to attune to my nervous system and to shift between the states of it instead of staying frozen or dissociated. I learned to build my curiosity and awareness of the unconscious habits no longer served who I am and how I want to live. I learned to be compassionate and present with myself and sit with whatever I was experiencing, shame, anger, joy, sadness, grief. I learned to embrace my body and my voice and to cultivate and connect with my somatic wisdom.

~ Steve - Australia

*Compassionate Inquiry® is a psychotherapeutic approach created by Dr. Gabor Maté over several decades while working with both patients and retreat participants. This approach gently uncovers and releases the layers of childhood trauma, constriction and suppressed emotion embedded in the body, that are at the root of mental and physical illness and addiction.

When clients perceive the therapeutic relationship as a safe container, compassion and curiosity allow them to acknowledge and examine the traumatic events that happened to them as children, recognize the beliefs they internalized, and feel the emotions they suppressed. This contributes to the healing process.  

Using Compassionate Inquiry, both the individual and therapist unveil the level of consciousness, mental climate, hidden assumptions, implicit memories and body states that form the real message that words both express and conceal.

When we can release ourselves from the hold of these stories, a new way of being emerges, leading to spontaneity, choice, expansion and freedom.

*excerpt from CI website

 

I offer therapy over zoom and in person and the areas I specialise in, but not exclusively, are:

  • Life transitions: new job, relocation, job loss

  • Dark night of the soul

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Sex and Intimacy

  • Burnout

  • Trauma resolution

  • Chronic pain, fatigue & fibromyalgia 

  • Addictions & depression

  • Cultural identity

  • Sexual boundary ruptures, sexual abuse in adult and adult with childhood sexual abuse

  • Integration of plant medicines, psychedelic experiences (Ayahuasca, Huachuma (San Pedro) & psilocybin) and dietero processes.

the discoveries of science, the teachings of the heart, and the revelations of the soul all assure us that no human being is ever beyond redemption. The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists. How to support that possibility in others and in ourselves is the ultimate question"

~ Gabor Maté


 

book your Initial consult

Take the first step in exploring somatic therapy and discover how it can support your healing journey. In our time together, you’ll have the opportunity to share about yourself and experience a somatic therapy session. This will help us both get a sense of how we can collaborate and whether we’re a good fit for working together.

My schedule can fluctuate, so if the available times don’t work for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly so we can explore other options.

I look forward to sharing space together.

Warmly,

Ana

Initial consults: 75min at $230 AUD

Ongoing sessions: 60min at $190 per 6 pack or $230 for single

Curious? Lets explore.

TESTIMONIALS

  • I was experiencing anxiety, poor sleep and feeling fear of the unknown. I learnt how to be with my body and enquire with compassion about painful traumas. What has been most valuable is learning to accept all my parts and learning how I can be whoever or whatever I need to be for myself. I feel empowered to manage my wellbeing through a greater awareness of what is happening for me in any given moment. And I’ve been able to use the tools that I’ve learnt with Ana to give care, compassion and understanding to myself. I’m incredibly grateful for taking this journey with Ana because it means I have a better relationship with myself. I’ve healed much of my wounds and my suffering and feel lighter and more able to live the life I want to live.

    Tony, Australia

  • It has been only 6 months since we started working together, but for me it has been the equivalent of years of therapy. Having someone like Ana, that holds your hand and guides you gently in this process makes it possible to heal and feel life is worth living. Working with her has been one of the best decisions I have taken.

    Carolina, Colombia

  • The most valuable thing I have learned is that most of the answers I’m looking for are actually already inside me and working with Ana helped me access and decode what is already there, waiting to come through. I have begun to let go of my ‘people pleaser’ and have developed my confidence to express my needs, desires and boundaries a lot more.

    Phoebe, Australia

  • Tap into your bravery to try, to simply show up. Everything else will unravel. Ana has a deep embodied toolkit and incredibly intuitive sense of what might be appropriate to support.

    Katie, England