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    Sensorimotor Psychotherapy in Perth

    Sensorimotor Psychotherapy is a leading edge trauma counselling modality developed by Pat Ogden and supported by research from Daniel Siegel and Bessel van der Kolk. It focuses on the integration of body and mind, acknowledging that unresolved trauma impacts both physiological and psychological functioning.

    At our Perth clinic, our counsellors and psychologists track bodily cues—such as muscle tension, breathing patterns, or postural defences—to uncover unconscious trauma responses. These can include freezing, dissociation, or hypervigilance.

    Rather than relying on medication alone, SP provides a safe environment to process difficult emotions and restore nervous system balance. It’s especially effective for individuals suffering from complex trauma, PTSD, childhood trauma, grief and loss, and other mental health conditions.

    Who Can Benefit From Sensorimotor Psychotherapy?

    Sensorimotor Therapy is suitable for:

    • Adults, adolescents, and children
    • Individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and emotional dysregulation
    • Clients with a history of abuse, neglect, or motor vehicle accidents
    • Those struggling with attachment issues, relationship challenges, or family counselling needs
    • People living with fibromyalgia, chronic tension, bruxism, migraines, and sleep issues

    It supports self-regulation, reduces symptoms of trauma, and fosters recovery by working within your Window of Tolerance (WOT). This method allows the body to gradually release traumatic stress without re-traumatisation.

    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.

    How Does Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Differ?

    While many therapies 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 team of counsellors, psychologists, and 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.

     

    Book In For Sensorimotor Trauma Psychotherapy

    Sessions are available face-to-face in West Leederville, via phone or secure video. Our team of highly trained mental health professionals and trauma-informed therapists are here to support your recovery journey.

    To book an appointment, email us or call our friendly team for enquiries about availability, fees, or rebates. Medicare and private health insurance may apply in some cases.

    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.