Hug a Pillow. Something as simple as hugging a pillow might seem childish or trivial at first glance. Yet from a therapeutic perspective, particularly through Gestalt and Somatic Experiencing lenses, this practice offers profound physiological and psychological benefits that extend far beyond mere comfort. This seemingly modest action activates multiple neurobiological systems that support emotional…
Family Constellation work, developed by Bert Hellinger, traditionally takes place in group settings where participants physically represent elements of a person’s family system. However, this powerful approach to systemic healing and insight can be adapted for personal use. As a practitioner trained in both Gestalt therapy and Somatic Experiencing who regularly incorporates constellation principles in…
Somatic Exercises. The fast-paced, often overstimulating nature of modern life frequently triggers our stress response systems, leaving many people in states of persistent physiological activation or shutdown. As a Gestalt therapist and Somatic Experiencing practitioner, I’ve observed how directly engaging the body—rather than relying solely on cognitive approaches—offers powerful pathways for restoring balance to dysregulated…
The concept of the “inner child” represents one of the most powerful frameworks for understanding and healing emotional wounds carried from childhood into adult life. Pioneer John Bradshaw, through his groundbreaking work on family systems and recovery, developed specific meditative approaches for reconnecting with and healing these younger aspects of self. As a Gestalt therapist…
Mania, typically understood as a clinical symptom of bipolar disorder or related conditions, represents one of the most complex and paradoxical expressions of human psychology. While conventional medical perspectives often approach mania primarily as a neurochemical imbalance requiring medication, a deeper psychological and somatic understanding reveals that manic states frequently embody a profound dialectic between…
Family Constellations, developed by German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger, offers a unique therapeutic experience that differs substantially from conventional talk therapy approaches. As both a Gestalt and Somatic Experiencing practitioner, I’ve observed how this powerful modality provides distinctive benefits that address dimensions of human experience often untouched by other therapeutic approaches. This article explores what participants…
Depression, commonly approached as a cognitive or neurochemical disorder, takes on new dimensions when viewed through the lens of Somatic Experiencing (SE). This body-centered therapeutic approach, developed by trauma specialist Dr. Peter Levine, offers a distinctive understanding of depression as a physiological response pattern with deep connections to our evolutionary survival mechanisms. By recognizing depression’s…
Anxiety, in its many manifestations, represents one of the most common challenges to mental wellbeing in contemporary society. While conventional approaches often focus on cognitive aspects of anxiety or biochemical interventions, Somatic Experiencing (SE) offers a distinctive perspective that addresses anxiety through the wisdom and innate healing capacity of the body itself. As a body-oriented…
Injuries, within the realms of somatic psychology, body-centered psychotherapy, and various holistic healing traditions, the location of physical symptoms and injuries is understood to carry psychological and emotional significance. In particular, the distinction between left and right sides of the body has been explored as potentially meaningful in understanding the deeper messages our bodies may…
Morphic Field. The concept of morphic fields represents one of the most intriguing and controversial theories in contemporary science and therapeutic practice. Originally proposed by biologist Rupert Sheldrake in the 1980s, morphic fields offer a compelling framework for understanding phenomena that defy conventional scientific explanation—from the collective behaviors of organisms to the seemingly inexplicable information…