Integrative Somatic Wellbeing
Integrative Somatic Wellbeing is a holistic person-centred approach that supports the health, wellbeing, growth and healing of the whole person (body, mind and spirit). This approach can help people reconnect with their bodies, build inner trust and safety, and develop a compassionate relationship with themselves. It supports nervous system regulation, personal growth, sustainable wellbeing, healing and flourishing.
How Does Ann Use Integrative Somatic Wellbeing?
Ann’s approach is trauma-informed grounded in compassion, nervous system regulation, mindfulness, somatics and embodiment. She offers this work in two main ways:
Integrative Somatic Therapy
1:1 sessions tailored for individual support, nervous system regulation, wellbeing, personal growth and healing. This includes integration with specialist physiotherapy for holistic whole person care, where appropriate, as well as sessions outside of physiotherapy for those navigating chronic stress, anxiety or trauma, or those simply seeking meaningful change in their lives.
Integrative Somatic Wellbeing
Group workshops and bespoke wellbeing programs focused on embodied wellbeing, nervous system regulation, and personal development.
Both formats are rooted in trauma-informed principles, compassion, nervous system regulation, and somatic and mindfulness-based practices, and respect for individual experiences.
Important Note:
Integrative Somatic Therapy is not psychological therapy and is not a substitute for it. When appropriate, Ann collaborates with mental health professionals to ensure holistic, trauma-informed care. Similarly while group work may be therapeutic, it is not intended as a replacement for individual psychological therapy.
You can learn more about trauma-informed practice via the link below:
What Are the Benefits?
There are numerous potential benefits. Some of the things that Integrative Somatic Wellbeing can support are:
- Greater self-awareness
- Increased sense of safety and trust in the body
- Befriending your body and listening to its innate wisdom
- Nervous system regulation & building capacity/tolerance
- Reduced stress, anxiety & overthinking
- Improved sleep
- Improved energy
- Increased self-compassion
- Improved cognitive aspects like attention
- Improved physical capacities, like co-ordination and balance
- More easeful, joyful movement
- Living more in alignment with values
- A greater sense of presence & connection
- A greater sense of strength and/or resilience
- Creating a personalised wellbeing toolkit
Core Elements of Ann’s Integrative Somatic Therapy
Nervous System Regulation
Grounded in trauma-informed principles, this work supports your autonomic nervous system in moving from survival states to connection, safety, and healing. It weaves through everything we do — gently increasing your capacity for presence, resilience, and embodiment.
We often begin by exploring a little about the Window of Tolerance, a simple yet powerful framework that helps you recognise your own nervous system states and gently notice what supports regulation and balance for you.
Learn more via this link:
Somatic Coaching
This is a body-oriented coaching approach combining conversation with embodied practices to support self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and personal insight. Ann’s approach blends somatic coaching with nervous system regulation, embodiment work, compassion & mindfulness-based practices. You can learn more about somatic coaching via this link:
Somatic & Embodied Movement
Somatic movement refers to the practice of moving mindfully, with conscious awareness of the whole body in the present moment. It invites you to slow down, sense and respond to your internal experience – rather than simply moving from external based instructions or performance-based goals. It encourages awareness, attunement and responsiveness to the messages of the body.
Embodied movement deepens somatic awareness and your felt sense of the interconnectedness of body and mind, supporting you to inhabit your body with presence and agency. It’s a helpful tool for self-awareness, personal growth and healing.
Practices like trauma-informed yoga, intuitive movement, tai chi, and gentle somatic exercises can be somatic and embodied practices, when approached in ways that honour the body’s signals and nurture inner connection.
This approach invites you to move with curiosity and compassion, creating space for regulation, building capacity, integration, and restoration.
Mindfulness & Meditation
Ann incorporates trauma-sensitive and compassion-based mindfulness and meditation practices into her work to support presence, regulation and self-connection. Meditation is a practice of cultivating awareness and training our attention using standing, seated or lying down meditations. Mindfulness really refers to the intentional practice of being present with one’s experience in daily life, moment by moment, with openness, curiosity, compassion and non-judgment. You can learn more via this link:
Trauma-Informed Yoga
Yoga is a multifaceted practice which is rooted in ancient philosophical tradition, the name comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning “to yoke” or “to unite.” At its core, yoga is a practice of integration, bringing together body, mind, and spirit. Far beyond physical movement, yoga offers a holistic integrated pathway back to the body in a way that feels supportive and manageable, and a pathway to wellbeing that includes ethical mindful living, compassion, breathwork, meditation, and self-inquiry. Yoga is about more than an on the mat practice (if using a mat to practice), it’s a way of being and living. Ann’s trauma-informed approach honours choice and supports nervous system awareness and regulation, and a compassionate inner connection. You can read more about yoga via this link:
Breathwork
Gentle breathing techniques to support balance, awareness, and regulation. Includes Buteyko breath practices, and other breath practices, to support optimal breathing and regulate the nervous system. You can read more via this link:
Compassion-Focused Practices
Compassion is central to Ann’s work. Compassion is not as weakness, it’s as a powerful inner resource that can transform how we relate to ourselves, others and challenges. Ann draws on a variety of compassion-focused practices to cultivate self-compassion, inner safety, courage, and care. This includes Compassionate Mind Training (CMT) to support clients in:
- Soothing the inner critic
- Reducing shame, anxiety and self-judgement
- Increasing resilience and overall wellbeing
You can read more via this link:
Who Is It For?
Ann uses Integrative Somatic Therapy/Integrative Somatic Wellbeing to support:
- People living with chronic health conditions
- Individuals experiencing stress or emotional overwhelm
- Those wanting to deepen embodied wellbeing and self-awareness
- Anyone wishing to increase self-compassion
- Anyone interested in somatic practices and personal growth
- Anyone wishing to build a toolkit of practices to support with navigating challenges and thriving
Her 1:1 sessions are accessible and personalised, and group workshops are accessible for most people. If psychological therapy is more appropriate, this will always be discussed openly and respectfully.
Ann’s Framework: PACE’s & SIM’s
Ann also integrates her unique wellbeing framework — the PACE’s & SIM’s — this is described in her book Dancing Through Life: A Guide to Living Well and an image of this can be seen below. This framework supports embodied self-awareness, compassion and wellbeing, and helps people to build practical tools for daily wellbeing. Elements of this may be explored in both 1:1 sessions and workshops.
Would You Like to Explore More?
Get in touch to book a free 15-minute discovery call to ask questions and explore whether this work feels like a good fit. There’s no pressure or obligation to commit after this call.
About Ann
Ann is a Specialist Physiotherapist & Integrative Somatic Therapist with advanced training across multiple integrative and trauma-informed modalities, including:
- Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher
- Meditation Teacher & Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner
- Buteyko Breathing Instructor
- Compassion-Focused Therapy
- NLP Practitioner
- Life Coach
- ACT & IFS-informed practitioner
She has specialist experience working with people living with complex long term conditions, especially ME/CFS, Long Covid, fibromyalgia, PoTS, FND, and persistent pain. Her work also supports people navigating stress, trauma and life changes from a somatic and embodied wellbeing perspective.
Ann takes a compassionate, personalised, trauma-informed, and integrative approach to care. She always works within her scope of practice and collaborates with other professionals where appropriate
You can read more about Ann via the link below:
Other Related Services at Unity Physiotherapy & Wellbeing
Location
You can arrange a virtual appointment for anywhere in the UK or an in person appointment in North Hykeham, Lincoln.
Get in touch
If you would like to find out how Ann can help manage and change fatigue, do what you love, live well and thrive again get in touch to book your appointment, or a free 15 minute call to help you decide if working with Ann is right for you.