My philosophy
“Mind over matter”, is a common phrase. Given we live in a society that is primarily a mental world (I think therefore I am) it’s not strange we give priority to the mind; it’s associated with problem solving, creativity, observation, perception and is therefore favoured across many disciplines. From meditation to mental health modalities.
But, taken too far, we lose the connection with the body and this creates a gap between what the mind believes or wants and what the body feels and is ‘allowed’ to experience.
Burnout thrives within this gap.
Somatic Bodywork
The Main Issue
BURNOUT IS NOT A MENTAL PROBLEM TO SOLVE; IT’S THE RESULT OF NEGLECTING THE PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE OF OVER-EXHAUSTION WHILE THE MIND TRIES TO IGNORE WHAT THE BODY NEEDS TO FEEL.
Approaching burnout solely through mental strategies such as mindfulness, traditional talk therapy or meditation enlarges the gap between mind and body. The physical manifestations of long term stress—headaches, migraines, digestive issues, low energy, breathing problems, back pain, tension, insomnia, anxiety, self-esteem problems, panic attacks etc.—remain unaddressed. Including the body in the recovery process enables transformation where it matters: in the body. And through that in a persons life.
Somatic Bodywork is a form of reverse engineering. Rather than approaching wellbeing primarily through the mind, we begin with the body. By working with physical symptoms, suppresed emotions and limiting patterns, we support recovery from the bottom up. Clients learn what they do in a specific situation that limits their capabilities and leaves them unfulfilled, exhausted or unmotivated.
Qualities such as resilience, confidence, courage, vitality, and feeling energised are not abstract ideas—they are real physical experiences. The same is true for their opposites: insecurity, anxiety, exhaustion, or the inability to speak up. If we are capable of creating these limiting states within our bodies, we are equally capable of creating their opposites.
Through somatic bodywork sessions, individuals discover what they do in their body to lose confidence, withdraw or push-through under pressure, or hold back when they are called to step forward. Each person carries a unique history, and therefore develops unique ways of responding to stress—especially within high-performance environments like corporate worlds and start-ups.
In a process participants learn how they respond to stress, how to undo these limiting patterns and start to live a life where they are not constantly busy with recovering from intensity or avoiding stressful situations, but rather have their body’s signals as a compass for better performance and deeper fulfilment.
How a session works
As there is no real separation between mind and body, neglecting the physical dimension may offer temporary relief, but does not address the root of the issue. These roots are found in the conditions and patterns held within the body—often created as unconscious attempts to resist against discomfort, fear, or pain.
In the sessions, participants learn to recognise—through direct physical experience—their automatic responses to stress and pressure. By becoming aware of these patterns and learning how to interrupt them, they open the possibility for change and recovery.
This allows for the development of a more resilient, relaxed, and responsive way of being. Participants learn what it actually feels like to relax fully, how they are suppressing their emotions and what consequence this has in their life and in their body.
By gradually releasing tension—untying the knots, so to speak—the body regains its natural capacity for balance, adaptability, and health.
Practically
In these individual sessions participants learn about the patterns of their behaviour, how they load up in their body and receive practical tools to train the skill of relaxing under pressure and allowing their body to restore balance.
These sessions are:
Conducted online or in-person (preferred)
Include breathing, touch (with consent), movement, talking, and counseling.
Are always tailor made to the individual
60 minuten per sessions (90 minutes for the assessment)
In the form of a process: between 6 to 10 sessions
Trackable by an assessment at the beginning and with at the phase of conclusion