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    Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in Perth

    Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is a body-oriented trauma therapy that blends somatic awareness with traditional talk-based approaches. At Energetics Institute in Perth, Western Australia, our experienced therapists deliver SP to help individuals, couples, and families process trauma, build resilience, and regulate emotions more effectively.

    Who Can Benefit From Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?

    SP is recommended for a range of issues, including:

    • Trauma-related conditions: PTSD, complex trauma, childhood trauma, and developmental trauma

    • Emotional regulation issues: Anxiety, depression, panic attacks, grief and loss

    • Attachment challenges: Relationship difficulties, family counselling needs

    • Somatic concerns: Chronic pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, bruxism, sleep difficulties

    SP is particularly recommended for individuals with PTSD, complex trauma, and anxiety-related conditions. It is not a substitute for crisis intervention or acute psychiatric care, but can be integrated with medical treatment for a more holistic recovery

    What to Expect in a Sensorimotor Therapy Session

    Each session begins with a detailed clinical intake that covers your medical history, trauma background, and current mental health concerns. Your therapist will observe your posture, breathing, tone of voice, and somatic signals such as fidgeting, tightness, or stillness.

    Sessions (offered in-person, by video or phone) typically follow three key phases:

    1. Stabilisation & Resourcing
      Grounding techniques (like breathwork) help establish safety. You’ll develop coping tools to handle emotional and physical arousal.

    2. Trauma Processing
      Through mindful body tracking, your therapist guides you to notice and interrupt automatic responses such as freezing or fleeing. Somatic techniques help restore your capacity to assert boundaries and respond with agency.

    3. Integration & Reinforcement
      You’ll explore how deeply-held beliefs or defensive reactions were formed and work to replace them with adaptive, empowering perspectives. The goal is to rewire neural pathways and reclaim emotional freedom.

    The Science Behind Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

    SP was developed by Dr. Pat Ogden and is supported by the work of Daniel Siegel, Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory), and Bessel van der Kolk.

    • Studies in journals such as Traumatology show that body-oriented trauma therapies improve nervous system regulation and reduce PTSD symptoms.

    • SP is particularly effective where traditional talk therapy alone may not reach, such as for clients experiencing dissociation, freeze responses, or somatic trauma symptoms.

    Studies published in Traumatology and the work of Bessel van der Kolk demonstrate that body-oriented therapies significantly improve nervous system regulation and trauma recovery outcomes.

    How Does Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Differ?

    While many counsellors and psychologists address thoughts and emotions, SP uniquely integrates body-based interventions to deepen healing. Compared to Somatic Experiencing (SE), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy includes more structured exploration of cognitive narratives alongside physical awareness.

    It can be combined with other modalities such as:

    • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing)
    • Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
    • Schema Therapy
    • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

    Common Issues Treated with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

    Our trauma therapy professionals can assist with:

    • PTSD and post-traumatic stress disorder
    • Panic attacks and emotional dysregulation
    • Childhood trauma and developmental issues
    • Complex grief and loss
    • Sexual abuse and interpersonal violence
    • Anxiety and depression
    • Chronic pain or illness
    • Sleep and stress-related symptoms

    We also provide support for caregivers, first responders, FIFO workers, and others exposed to traumatic environments.

    Polyvagal Theory & the Nervous System

    SP integrates Polyvagal Theory, which helps clients understand their physiological responses to safety or threat:

    • Ventral Vagal State – calm, connected, and engaged
    • Sympathetic Activation – fight/flight reactivity
    • Dorsal Vagal Shutdown – freeze, collapse, or dissociation

    Using this framework, your therapist helps you navigate and regulate these states effectively, improving mental wellbeing, emotional resilience, and interpersonal functioning. Read our online recourse here.

    Our Experience in Delivering Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

    Our psychotherapists have completed advanced training with the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute founded by Dr. Pat Ogden and continue ongoing professional development in trauma-informed care, neuroscience, and attachment theory.

    • Richard Boyd, Director of Energetics Institute – Certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy through the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute, PACFA-registered psychotherapist, with over 15 years of clinical experience supporting trauma recovery in Perth.

    • Team of trauma-informed therapists – Ongoing professional development in SP, Polyvagal Theory, and body-based trauma interventions. Members of PACFA, AHPRA, and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

    Specialisations

    In our Perth clinic, we’ve observed that clients living with chronic tension, sleep issues, or anxiety often show meaningful improvements after only a few sessions. For example, one client (name withheld for confidentiality) with long-term panic attacks experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after 10 sessions, using body-tracking and grounding techniques integrated with CBT strategies.

    Our Reviews

    Book a Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Session

    Our professional services are available face-to-face in West Leederville, Perth, and online. To book an appointment, call our clinic or complete the enquiry form below. Our friendly team can advise on availability, fees, and rebates.

    Contact us today to take the next step in your trauma recovery journey.

    Schedule Appointment

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) is a body-cantered therapy that integrates traditional talk therapy with somatic awareness to address trauma and emotional distress. It focuses on how the body stores trauma and uses physical sensations, posture, and movement to help individuals process and heal from past experiences.

    1. The Body as a Gateway to Healing – Recognizing that the body holds onto trauma and emotional experiences.
    2. Mindfulness and Awareness – Using present-moment attention to explore physical sensations and emotions.
    3. Somatic Resources – Developing body-based coping skills for emotional regulation.
    4. Developmental Perspective – Understanding how early life experiences shape current behaviours and responses.
    5. Therapist-Client Collaboration – Encouraging a safe, non-judgmental space for exploration.
    6. Integration of Mind and Body – Bridging cognitive, emotional, and physical experiences to create lasting change.

    A person experiencing chronic anxiety might unconsciously tense their shoulders when discussing stressful events. Instead of only addressing thoughts and emotions, a therapist using Sensorimotor Psychotherapy would guide the client in noticing the physical tension, exploring its connection to past experiences, and using body-based techniques to release stored emotional stress.

    Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) integrates body awareness with traditional psychotherapy, focusing on both past experiences and current bodily sensations.
    Somatic Therapy, such as Somatic Experiencing (SE), primarily focuses on releasing trauma stored in the body through physical awareness and movement without necessarily exploring the psychological narrative.

    1. Stabilization and Resourcing – Helping clients develop tools to regulate emotions and feel safe in their bodies.
    2. Processing Trauma – Exploring bodily sensations, movement, and emotions related to traumatic memories.
    3. Integration and Reintegration – Applying new insights and coping mechanisms to daily life for long-term healing.

    No, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a separate therapy that focuses on bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, etc.) to help reprocess traumatic memories. However, both EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy recognize the body’s role in trauma and can be complementary approaches in therapy.

    What is the Polyvagal Theory in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?
    Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how the nervous system responds to safety and threat through three states:

    1. Ventral Vagal State – Social engagement and feelings of safety.
    2. Sympathetic Activation – Fight-or-flight response to perceived danger.
    3. Dorsal Vagal Shutdown – Freeze response when overwhelmed or feeling helpless.

    In Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, therapists use Polyvagal Theory to help clients recognize their nervous system’s responses and develop body-based strategies to move toward a state of safety and regulation.