About Leonie Hibbert Hello there, I am a somatic psychotherapist working in private practice at North Carlton, (Melbourne) and Yarra Junction (in the Yarra Valley) just over an hour east of Melbourne. Whilst I started my working life, in the accounting and administration area my interest has really always been people. The opportunity to pursue that interest professionally came in the 1980’s when I moved out of the corporate arena after becoming a mother. By then I had become quite focussed on my personal development and self exploration and decided to follow that passion by re-training to become a natural health therapist, incorporating many complementary disciplines including nutrition, homoeopathics, leading edge biochemistry, bio-feedback, stress management routines such as meditation, various healing modalities and esoteric understandings. I moved into private practice in 1989 and continue with that today. It has been on an ongoing journey of study and learning which has seen me exploring many health and related holistic disciplines, both ancient understandings and traditions and the latest research, doing my Life Coaching accreditation, Archetype Soul counselling with Dr Caroline Myss PhD and then, more recently, on to a Certificate in Embodied Relational Dynamics immediately followed by a Diploma in Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy with the Australian College of Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy. (ACCSP). Our training included philosophy, theory and practice of Gestalt, self psychology, dynamic systems theory, intersubjectivity, existential phenomenology, biodynamic bodywork, infant research and attachment theory, neurobiology, trauma theory and post modernism. After many years of working with people coming to consult with me about their health and wellbeing it was evident that wellbeing is a ‘mind body’ event. Whilst there is much that can be done to effectively support a person biochemically with herbs and various complementary supplements or by attending to their nutrition or embarking on a stress management activity such as yoga or walking, there is not usually a simple remedy for the ongoing effects of trauma, the experience of loss, abandonment, loneliness, anxiety, depression, self doubt, low self esteem etc. New research on infant attachment and neurobiology tells us how the psychotherapeutic process can offer transformation through a new experience in the therapist-client relationship. This incorporates both verbal and non verbal body mind understandings and practice where you may, for example, move safely from a feeling of isolation to one of intimacy, or you may find a way to make room for a mind of your own. My personal journey has informed these understandings and has been crucial to my development as a Psychotherapist, especially experiencing the role that the therapeutic relationship plays in the change process. I continue to be involved in my own long-term process of psychotherapy and I attend regular Supervision both as required by our professional association - Australian Association of Somatic Psychotherapy (AASP). Click http://www.somaticpsych.org.au for more information Much of my work now focuses on the somatic psychotherapy which is, by nature, more intensive and usually over the medium to long term, with people who are wanting to explore more deeply the issues that influence their daily lives, their relationships and their life choices. With my natural health background I am able to include that knowledge and, if appropriate, can make available complementary remedies. I do not prescribe medication, (that is the role of a medical doctor) however some people may find themselves in need that type of support whilst embarking on the psychotherapy journey. My clients are people very much like you and me, people who function well in most areas of their lives, often successful out there in the world. They may, however, feel that they are not able to establish successful intimate relationships for instance or they may be unhappy despite a earning a good income in a good job, or may plagued by a repetitious encounter with addiction, loss, abuse etc. Sometimes they simply need a safe place to make sense of things with an empathic other, to find a place for them to be how and who they are right here, right now whatever that may mean. Whilst the past is seen as relevant in so far as it impacts the present, our work will tend to focus on the here and now as that is where the opportunity for a new experience dwells. The relationship in the room is really a microcosm of the relationships out there in life, so it is “live” for both of us to reflect on together and make sense of together, opening up a place for a new sense of yourself, relationship and life. Somatic Psychotherapy recognises that it is through relationships that we are formed and it is through relationships that change can occur. I also work with people in more of a coaching or mentoring role supporting them with specific issues or strategies for getting clear about their life direction or goals in key areas. This can be short-term, long-term or occasional. This also includes the natural health oriented work. Sometimes a person can start in this area and we find over time that they wish to transition to the deeper psychotherapeutic work. Should that become evident then we make time to discuss this and it may mean, over time, coming to a new agreement about the nature of our relationship and the framework of our sessions. Generally psychotherapy sessions are once per week or more, for 50 minutes. Different rates apply at each location and we can discuss this when we speak. Establishing an agreement to enter psychotherapy may take time. Once agreed upon it usually involves an open ended commitment from both parties in a set place, a set time, at a set fee. Included in that is the therapist’s commitment to hold that space available for the client and hold it in an emotional sense as well. The ending contract is solely in the hands of the client although part of the contract is usually that the therapy is not ended precipitately and time is allowed for the working through the meaning of ending. People often ask about the difference between psychology, psychiatry and psychotherapy. Click here for Alison’s explanation of these terms. I am a Clinically Accredited member of AASP and our association is a member of PACFA (the Psychotherapist and Counsellor Federation of Australia). I am included on the PACFA register. I adhere strictly to our Code of Ethics which includes Client Confidentiality. Click on http://www.somaticpsych.org.au to find out more. Natural Theropy Pages Leonie Hibbert Lifeworks leoniehibbertlifeworks.com.au Lifeworks Services by Leonie Hibbert As we now live in a busy and challenging urban environment, just coasting along, hoping for a long, healthy and vibrant life is simply not enough! We need to be proactive with our health. Are you attending to your wellbeing – that is, your physical, emotional, mental, spiritual wellness? There are two key paths of work that I offer: Complementary Health and Somatic Psychotherapy. In my work as a Natural Health practitioner, I draw on an ancient Chinese paradigm to address the current challenge of maintaining personal wellness. In each appointment we explore various aspects of your Wellbeing and you will take away some simple, effective and practical tools that you can easily integrate into your day to day routine. These may include some complementary remedies which will dynamically assist your body to address a specific imbalance or restore your energy, improve digestion and quality of sleep. Psychotherapy provides a safe, non-judgmental space and relationship in which to explore problems of living. These can arise as difficulties in work, in relationships, in parenting, in achieving one's goals or in repetitive painful states such as depression, anxiety, confusion, negative feelings or low self esteem. The safety of the therapeutic relationship can allow one to explore and unravel old patterns of feeling, thinking and behaving and to find new meanings and action in the world. Psychotherapy provides conditions of empathy, acceptance and mindfulness so that people can grow and develop in ways which may not have been possible earlier in their lives. Psychotherapy can soothe anger and distress, celebrate joys and achievements, unravel shame, make space for grief, help build tolerance for changing states of being, enhance resilience and the ability to trust and engage with others. Soma is a Greek word meaning "the living body". Somatic psychotherapy is grounded in the belief that psyche and soma form a single holistic entity, the bodymind. Thought, emotion and bodily experience are understood as inter-functioning aspects of the person's whole being. As well as working verbally in the relationship with the client, somatic psychotherapists are trained to engage directly with the client's dynamic bodily experience. This includes patterns of breathing, posture, sensation and movement, and also working with body image, metaphor and through touch when appropriate. Body-oriented psychotherapy can be used to facilitate exploration and expression, to develop self awareness, self regulation and a sense of vitality and aliveness. This approach can help deepen a sense of connection to oneself and to others. Somatic psychotherapy can improve body sensing, relieve stress, balance the nervous system, mobilise posture, explore patterns of contraction and expansion and develop a sense of vitality and aliveness and movement. Drawing on more than 20 years of research, training & experience in leading edge health technologies and human potential, Leonie offers a unique, integrated approach to personal development, health and wellbeing. As a Natural Therapies Practitioner, Psychotherapist and Coach, she is dedicated to enhancing the self awareness of individuals, helping them understand their own Wellbeing and supporting them to achieve the health and lifestyle they want - and then maintain it. Leonie Hibbert is a fully accredited member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society, Registration no. 2842, She is a clinical Member of the Australian Association of Somatic Psychotherapists, and is on the PACFA register. Leonie is also a VicFit accredited Life Coach. She has completed many trainings in cutting edge complementary health technologies and in the human potential arena. Leonie has also developed womens and mens health products which are used world wide. Don’t leave yourself off your priority list… Make your life work better for you now! Leonie Hibbert Lifeworks Qualifications: Touch for Health Practitioner - ATMS VicFit Accredited Life Coach Diploma in Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy - Clinical .Mem. AASP, PACFA registered. Balance for Life Consultatnt Carolyn Myss accredited Archetype Consultant. Many non-accredited trainings in leading edge health technologies.