FAQs

Prior to committing to any package, we offer clients a Complimentary 15-minute "Connection Call." During this call, we can discuss your goals, challenges, and any questions you have about my offerings in a confidential and non-judgmental environment to help you gain clarity on your path forward. There's no pressure to move forward if you aren't confident about working together and starting your IFS and Somatic-Healing journey.

IFS views the mind as a collection of different parts or subpersonalities, each with its own emotions, characteristics, and experiences. IFS therapy helps us understand and work with these different parts to gain insight, compassion, and self-awareness. By freeing the burdens these parts carry, individuals can experience relief from symptoms like anxiety, depression, and self-sabotaging behaviours.

Somatic Therapy, is a powerful approach rooted in understanding the intricate connection between the mind and body. It delves into the wisdom of the nervous system, recognising that our bodies hold profound insights into our lived experiences.

Soma, in this context, refers to the totality of our bodily experiences, sensations, and felt sense. Drawing inspiration from Polyvagal Theory, we explore how our survival responses shape our nervous system, influencing our emotional states and overall well-being.

Somatic Therapy becomes a nuanced journey where we decode the language of the body, fostering healing and self-discovery through a holistic integration of mind and body.

Using emotional release tools, and other methods like movement, mindfulness, drawing, visualisation, imagery, and breathwork, we'll externalise, process and safely explore challenging sensations and emotions.

IFS, in itself, is already inherently somatic-focused. IFS beautifully provides a framework for connecting within and exploring the sensations and feedback our body provides.

With a deep understanding of the nervous system and how it influences the expression of our parts (and vice versa), we invite clients to explore what safety feels like for their parts and how their unique parts feel empowered in their embodiment.

Some parts may find resonance in movement, others in spoken word, drawing, breathwork, or in places like open fields, or closed spaces. The options are boundless, this is why it is so individualised, as it ensures that each part's language is heard and honoured.

Our commitment is to guide you through a journey of embodied healing, where the rich interplay of IFS and somatic practices adapts to your unique needs and fosters a meaningful connection with your inner world.

At Path to Self, we don't believe in labeling or diagnosing individuals. Instead, we take a holistic, non-pathologising, trauma-informed, and compassionate approach that focuses on the unique experiences and needs of each person. We believe that every part of you deserves to be seen, heard and validated. When we look closely at ourselves, we can see that even our most troubled parts have positive intentions rooted in survival.

Trauma isn't just about the stereotypical big, dramatic events. Trauma comes in various forms and can be both macro and micro. Imagine it like the difference between a major earthquake (macro) and the constant, subtle vibrations that might happen in an unstable environment (micro). It's not always about a specific event but can stem from prolonged exposure to less-than-ideal conditions.

For instance, it could be as subtle as being a little child and not having parents who were fully attuned to your needs. This isn't about shaming your parents or caregivers; they might have had the best intentions but lacked the tools to provide the attunement you needed.

Now, here's the key: trauma is not the event itself, it is what happens inside your body after a distressing event or prolonged exposure to stressful situations. It's like a residue that gets stored within you. Even seemingly small experiences can create significant impacts.

In the Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy that we practice at Path to Self, we understand that different parts of you can carry burdens from these experiences. It's not about blaming anyone; it's about exploring and understanding how these parts are impacting your life now. So, whether you recognise trauma or not, therapy can be a powerful tool for uncovering and healing the various layers of your lived experiences.

In moments when words are hard to find or when you feel stuck in a shutdown mode, both IFS and somatic practices can offer a compassionate approach to help you heal.

We recognise that being in a shutdown state is a way your protective parts keep you safe. Our sessions don't solely rely on talking; we use activities like movement, visualisation, intuitive drawing, journalling, and breathwork to explore your emotions in a dynamic way, helping you connect with your felt-sense.

Some parts of ourselves express without words, and we respect this by integrating body-focused practices, bridging the gap between words and feelings.

This integration respects moments of silence and transforms them into opportunities for deep exploration. It helps you connect with your body's wisdom, fostering a journey of self-discovery where mind and body work together for deeper healing.

We navigate this journey carefully, always starting with protectors and ensuring a safe space for exploration.