Healing Through Somatic Therapy: Navigating Stress and Menopause for Women with Helen Malinowski

In this episode of the Wise Divine Women podcast, Dana Irvine speaks with Helen Malinowski about the importance of somatic therapy and its role in healing, especially for women facing stress and menopause. They discuss the importance of understanding one's body, the impact of stress on mental health, and the need to set boundaries. Helen shares insights on how to navigate burnout, the power of saying no, and the importance of creating a supportive environment for both therapists and clients. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-care and awareness in the healing process, providing valuable resources for practitioners and individuals alike.

Takeaways

Somatic therapy focuses on the body's wisdom and nervous system.

Stress and trauma can accumulate in the body, affecting mental health.

Menopause symptoms often parallel burnout symptoms in clinicians.

Identifying personal capacity is crucial for therapists.

Saying no is a powerful tool for maintaining boundaries.

Parenting can be a journey of reparenting oneself.

Creating a supportive environment is essential for healing.

Micro-regulatory activities can help manage stress between sessions.

It's important to listen to your body's needs for rest.

Resources are available for practitioners to prevent burnout.

Helen Malinowski, LICSW, SEP,

Beacon of Hope Counseling and Brighter Beginnings by Kairos Counseling, PO Box 42
Falmouth, MA 02541
Phone: 774-255-1701

https://www.kairoscounselings.org

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Somatic Therapy and Its Importance

02:50 Understanding Somatic Therapy: The Body's Wisdom

05:42 The Challenges of Women Helpers and Healers

08:13 Navigating Perimenopause and Burnout

10:49 Identifying Capacity: The Role of Somatic Work

13:43 Setting Boundaries: The Power of Saying No

16:29 Parenting and Reparenting: Teaching Boundaries

19:10 Creating a Supportive Environment for Therapists

21:58 The Importance of Rest and Self-Care

24:45 Finding Balance in Therapy and Life

27:28 Resources for Practitioners and Conclusion

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somatic therapy, healing, menopause, stress management, boundaries, burnout, women empowerment, mental health, holistic therapy, self-care