Samantha McDonnell

Sam is a Certified Trauma-Informed Stabilisation Treatment (TIST) Therapist, having originally trained in Humanistic Psychotherapy. She specialises in CPTSD, dissociation and early attachment injury. Sam has studied extensively with Janina Fisher in both TIST and Advanced Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders. She is also Level 3 IFS Certified, as well as IFIO (IFS couples therapy) and EMDR for complex trauma. She enjoys integrating these approaches with Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, on an individual basis, as appropriate.

Sam helps to normalise her clients’ responses to traumatic experience as their innate, animal survival system in action. Her holistic, body-oriented approach, aims to treat the somatic, emotional and psychological elements of unresolved trauma. Such symptoms may lie deep within the body, often at an unconscious level, and which traditional talking therapies may fail to address. Incorporating more right-brain creative approaches such as sand tray, drawing and movement, can ofen help to deepen into our embodied felt sense.

Sam upholds the Sensorimotor principles of mindfulness, non-violence, organicity, unity, mind-body holism and relational alchemy, to promote physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being. She is currently working towards Certfication in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy.