Ernst Meyer (Convenor) is a somatic/body-inclusive
psychotherapist who has been in private practice since 2012. Originally
from Bavaria (Germany), he had careers in the police force, the IT
industry and project management before moving into psychotherapy. As a
trauma therapist he works with stress resulting from traumatic incidents
as well as expressions and symptoms of separation, loss, neglect,
physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Traumatic stress affects how we
look at – and feel about – the world around us, how we feel within
ourselves, how we think and act. It is the focus of his therapeutic
work. His contemporary approach to somatic psychotherapy is informed by
trauma research, neuroscience, infant research, humanistic
and relational theories as well as continental philosophy. His goal is
to re-introduce a contemporary psychotherapy training program into
Australia.
Veronik Verkest (Deputy Convenor)
practices as a contemporary somatic psychotherapist in private
practice. She specialises in inter-subjectivity, attuning to the
mind-body of individuals impacted by unresolved trauma. She draws on
several contemporary developments (attachment theory, neurobiology,
embodiment, trauma and developmental theory) as well as her training in
AcuEnergeticsTM. She is a teacher of MBSR and previously volunteered in
the after-hours counselling program at ACON. She has a Diploma of
Contemporary Somatic Psychotherapy, Master of Counselling & Applied
Psychotherapy with an MBA, BSc (Biochem) and extensive experience in the
corporate world and life.
Anna McKie’s
life journey meandered through studies in mathematics, computer science
and education, working in the organics industry and co-ordinating
international conferences, before doing a Diploma in Contemporary
Somatic Psychotherapy at the Australian College of Contemporary Somatic
Psychotherapy under Jeff Barlow. Anna has been a Somatic Psychotherapist
in private practice since 2008 and also works part-time as a specialist
trauma counsellor on the 1800 Respect phone service. Anna works in an
embodied, relational, trauma informed, empathic way with clients and is
passionate about the intersubjective space, attachment theory,
contemporary trauma theory, the body in therapy including therapeutic
touch, and neuroscience and its relation to psychotherapy. In addition
to the Somatic Psychotherapy Leadership Group, Anna is also a member of
the College of Psychotherapy Leadership Group.