Liza Waller, a UKCP-registered body psychotherapist, writes:

Contact details

Body psychotherapy is a body orientated, holistic, humanistic, integrative approach to psychotherapy which may of particular interest to those who stammer...

I have a part time private practice in body psychotherapy and biodynamic massage based at the Chiron Centre in West London (see www.chiron.org). I also used to work part time with the British Stammering Association in their Information and Support Service. I am fully aware of the psychological issues associated with stammering. In September 2004 I presented a workshop at the BSA Conference entitled 'Re-connecting bodymind - how does stammering fit in'.

Why psychotherapy?

People come to psychotherapy for a whole mixture of reasons. You may want to come and focus on feelings or issues directly associated with your experience of stammering, or maybe something else. It may be that you want to talk about an immediate crisis causing you distress, or explore longer term difficulties in your life. It may be that you have a very clear idea of what you want to get from the therapy, and changes you want to make in your life, or it may be that you come feeling more vague but just wanting some independent help and support at this time. Psychotherapy can offer you a safe confidential space to explore anything at all that you feel is disturbing your sense of inner peace and harmony in body heart mind. The terms of work will be negotiated together with the therapist and will be led by your expressed needs and wishes while at the same time of course be guided by the therapist's professional judgement.

Why body psychotherapy?

It is called body psychotherapy because this approach takes account of the intrinsic way the body is involved in one's psychological life. Body heart mind are each distinct aspects of ourselves and yet at the same time are each interrelated and make up together who we are. When we feel ill at ease with any one aspect it affects the whole of us. When we block or stammer what actually happens? Does your jaw tighten? Does your chest contract? Does your tongue get stuck? What actually does happen? In fact many different and complex things happen in the body heart mind unique to each person and whatever happens physically inevitably affects how you will feel - you may start to feel anxious, your heart beat may rise, you may get hot, your mouth may become dry, and because of this happening in your body you may start to feel self conscious and embarrassed, and this process in turn may then effect your thoughts e.g. "he thinks I'm stupid because I can't get my words out" etc. Body heart mind are intrinsically connected and the work lies in exploring this interrelationship and how dis-harmony affects our lives on many different levels.

Body psychotherapy encompasses many different approaches to working with the body heart mind. Any approach will be informed by your particular need as an individual client and discussed between you and therapist. The work may involve sitting in chairs talking and listening but it may also involve the therapist working directly with the body using hands on touch, working, for example, to bring awareness to the breath or body sensations. This may take place as you sit on the chair, or cushion on the floor, or you may be invited to lie down so the work can take place on a massage table or mattress on the floor.

What is the commitment?

Generally clients are seen for one hour weekly and usually the session will be on the same day and at the same time each week.

Usually there would be an initial consultation followed by a trial period of six sessions. After this initial phase you can decide whether you wish to continue or not. Short term psychotherapy may last only a few months but for more in depth self discovery it is likely to last between 2 - 5 years.

To arrange a consultation:
Email: lizawaller@hotmail.com
Tel 07813 680659 and leave a message.

September 2004 (updated February 2005)

Body Psychotherapy