My interest and research in the field of Somatic Psychotherapy and particularly in the benefits of Integrative Bodywork were developed by renowned teachers, in particular Dr. Tony Richardson, Psychiatrist and Somatic Psychotherapist, Dr Julie Henderson, Somatic Psychotherapist and Buddhist teacher,  Kathy Kain, E.Ed, co-author of Ortho-Bionomy,  and Robyn Speyer, Somatic Psychotherapist and trainer at the UK Gerda Boyeson Institute.

All, in their different trainings, demonstrated how awareness of the body’s experience allowed people to access inner awareness of themselves. This led to an enhanced mindfulness in our ways of being in the world, enabling greater choice and deeper connections in relationships with self and others.

My outlook and clinical approach have been influenced by continued research in somatic symptoms, attachment and development, neurobiology, and integrative bodyworks that are attuned to this work.  Working with the physical and emotional impact, and symptoms associated with abuse, trauma, stress and depression have contributed enormously to these perspectives.

This has led to further bodywork trainings in Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy and Polarity Therapy  building on my interest and expertise in working with physical symptoms that are underpinned by traumatic stress and its role in emotional and mental problems.

Other significant professionals that influence and inform my work are:

Peter Levine author of Waking the Tiger showing the importance of body awareness in the successful treatment of trauma.  

Hugh Milne in The Heart of Listening, A Visionary Approach to Craniosacral Work, Vol 1 & 2 leading to extensive studies in Craniosacral Therapy. 

Roger Gilchrist in his published papers The Essence of Energy-Based Medicine and Polarity Therapy: A Comprehensive System in the Energy-Based Healing Arts and author of Craniosacral Therapy and the Energetic Body: An Overview of Craniosacral Biodynamics - also leading to further studies.

Ron Kurtz author of The Body Reveals and Body Centered Psychotherapy  in more recent times.

Daniel Siegel, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, is bringing together diverse specialties such as neurobiology, developmental psychology, traumatology, and systems theory, enabling us to have greater understandings of the human condition. He has co-edited Healing Trauma: Attachment, Mind, Body, and Brain  together with many other publications, confirming the validity of a more holistic approach to working with trauma and the body/mind. 

Stephen Porges, and his Polyvagal Theory which is so complementary with the theory and practice of Somatic Psychotherapy and Integrative Bodywork.

Bessel A. van der Kolk internationally recognised leader in the field of psychological trauma co-author of Traumatic Stress:  the Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body, and Society and extensive other publications.