Member Portal

About us

History

 

The Somatic Psychotherapy modality of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Australia (PACFA) was formed when the Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association merged with PACFA in 2016. The Australian Somatic Psychotherapy Association was created in July 2011 when two pre-existing Somatic Psychotherapy Associations joined together to form one larger association. The Australian Somatic Integration Association and the Australian Association of Somatic Psychotherapists formally ceased operating and combined resources to create a new unified, larger and stronger association .

What We Do

The Somatic Psychotherapy modality works to support college members by providing network and professional development opportuinites.  The College provides advice on professional standards  for those who practice as Somatic Psychotherapists in Australia. Somatic Psychotherapy Australia endeavours to raise the overall status and profile and awareness of the benefits of Somatic Psychotherapy to both the therapeutic community and the public.

Somatic Psychotherapists practice in a diverse range of settings from community mental health settings to individual and group practices.

All members are thoroughly trained and experienced in contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy as well as in somatic, or body-oriented, principles of practice. Because of the breadth of theory and technique available to somatic psychotherapists, there is diversity in the ways in which Somatic Psychotherapy may be ethically practiced. Each member will express their particular emphasis and balance of somatic and psychodynamic techniques according to their own preferences as well as in conjunction with the needs of the client.

All Somatic Psychotherapists have undertaken an appropriate training program, followed by extensive supervision and have engaged in their own long-term psychotherapy. They are also required to maintain their personal and professional development, including ongoing supervision post qualification, of their clinical work. Somatic Psychotherapists are bound by the PACFA Code of Ethics, which embraces the strictest standards of professional ethical practice.

How to join the modality

There are two pathways to membership of the Somatic Psychotherapy Modality of the College of Psychotherapy.

 1. Join PACFA as an individual member and select the College of Psychotherapy and Somatic Psychotherapy as your preferred College and Modality.
  • Individual PACFA membership includes membership of 1 College so no additional fee is required
  • Your level of membership within the College will depend on the training and supervised practice you have completed.
2. Join a PACFA Member Association, apply to become a PACFA Registrant and then join the College of Psychotherapy and select Somatic Psychotherapy as your Modality.
  • There is an annual membership fee of $85 (inc. GST)
  • Your level of membership within the College will depend on the training and supervised practice you have completed. The College
For information on the membership requirements for the different level of College membership, please see the College of Psychotherapy – Somatic Psychotherapy Membership Requirements.

Leadership Group

A Leadership Group has been established to lead and plan activities for members. The leadership group is made up of:

  • Ernst Meyer: Convenor
  • Anna McKie: Member
  • Veronik Verkest: Member
  • Tess Tokatlidis: Member

To contact the leadership group or to make an enquiry about Somatic Psychotherapy go to our Contact page