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Latest Updates: July 24, 2011
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| _About ASIA |
ASIA
was established in 1995 to provide a national and professional organisation
to support and advance the practice of Somatic Psychotherapy. It is a non-profit
professional organisation made up of members who have undergone professional
training as psychotherapists. It provides a membership accreditation process,
a Code of Ethics, ongoing professional development and a framework for enhancing
standards of practice. Its aim is to provide a stimulating and creative forum
which fosters professional identity, exchange of ideas and experiences, support,
public accountability and excellence in the practice of somatic psychotherapy
ASIA is a member of the Psychotherapy and Counseling
Association of Australia (PACFA) which was formed to regulate the practice
of psychotherapy and counseling in Australia, and is required to conform with
the guidelines for membership of this governing association.
| _What is Somatic Psychotherapy ? |
Somatic
Psychotherapy provides a safe non-judgmental space and relationship in
which to explore and develop awareness of the self. Emphasis is on the uniqueness
of the individual, inclusive of body, mind and spirit, and the inherent movement
of the human bodymind towards health and growth. Somatic Psychotherapy, whilst
inclusive of "talking therapies" can also be informed by bodily experience and
somatic techniques including the recognition of non-verbal signals and with
permission, appropriate therapeutic touch.
Practitioners are experienced in the observation of breath, posture, energetic
patterns of expansion and contraction and unconscious movements of the body
- all of which convey information about the clients' emotional state. By including
these bodily experiences, greater awareness of both the conscious and unconscious
patterns is gained.
Within the safe holding of the developing therapeutic relationship, clients
are supported in increasing wellbeing by:
It is within the therapeutic
relationship, guided by the body's innate capacity to heal itself and facilitated
by the awareness, presence, holding and experience of the therapist, that perception
of life is transformed.
| _Who would benefit from Somatic Psychotherapy ? |
A broad range of client
issues are addressed: personal development, curiosity, meaninglessness, anxiety,
relationship difficulties, emotional instability, grief and loss, recovery from
trauma and/or abuse, despair, spiritual issues and overcoming addictions as
well as uncomfortable physical symptoms which often have an underlying emotional
or stress related cause.
| _Professional Development |
Quarterly professional development evenings are organized and while there is no charge for members, an attendance fee of $20 is charged for non-members. Details of the upcoming professional development evenings can be seen on the Events page.
| _Annual Conference |
On odd numbered years ASIA holds a conference which is open to all members, other associations and those interested in the area of somatic psychotherapy. The aim has been to create an atmosphere of warmth and support for members and interested speakers to present and exchange information and offer insights and discussion from clinical experiences as well as to foster and support a sense of community.
On even numbered years ASIA & AASP hold a joint conference which is open to all members of both associations, other associations and interested parties. The aim of the joint conference is to bring the somatic community together, to learn from each other, to promote an atmosphere of warmth and support for members and interested speakers to present and exchange information.
For more information or to be included on the conference email list, contact us.