I’m John McLane, a body oriented therapist, Certified in both Somatic Experiencing and Rolfing Structural integration. I am inspired by what happens when people learn to listen to their bodies and rediscover their natural ability to complete what has been held physically in the nervous system.

Somatic Experiencing (SE™) supports the emotional and mental aspects of the mind-body. In SE™, trauma refers to incomplete reactions in the nervous system. It is not an event that causes trauma, it is the nervous system’s capacity that determines whether we integrate an experience or get stuck. This can happen in response to an acute event like a car accident, injury, surgery, combat, etc or it could be from ongoing stress like chaos, abuse in the home or a demanding, fast-paced work environment.

Our nervous system is designed to enable our survival and often does so by overriding the vulnerable expressions of an experience by prioritising what it perceives is needed to stay alive in the moment. When we are unable to remain present during an overwhelming experience, this suppressed energy stays in the body, tethering us to the past. These injuries to the nervous system accumulate, deepening tension patterns and demand excessive energy for the body to manage.

In a safe environment of non-judgment and attunement, I can help you to understand and resolve symptoms of trauma, overwhelm and chronic stress by connecting with your body and understanding the patterns your nervous system has learnt to adopt. As these patterns are gently explored and released, the events and unspoken narrative which informed the body’s need to brace and hold can be allowed to speak, creating long lasting and meaningful change. You will be supported to experience and discover your own resourcefulness and the new possibilities this can bring in order to move forward with curiosity, creativity and trust.

I offer Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SE) or Rolfing, integrated with elements of SE. Rolfing and SE compliment one another as body centred somatic therapies. Trauma is held in the body, particularly in our joints and connective tissue (fascia). Over time this can become compounded and gives rise to the many bewildering symptoms and syndromes of unresolved trauma. I am now an assistant on the full SE training course in London with SOS Internationale.

I look forward to working with you.