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Somatic Trauma Therapy

Run by the School of Holistic Therapy

​Trauma originates in the nervous system and its ability to deal with stressful events - it does not originate in the event itself. The protective barrier present in the person disappears and leads to overwhelming feelings of helplessness, loss of control and intense fear.

From the very beginning of this course, you will be able to use your skills to alleviate your clients’ distress. By teaching them to observe and track their physical sensations and with the use of simple exercises, you will help them to observe and tolerate the physical sensations that give rise to strong emotions. Quite quickly they can begin to feel calmer, safer and less overwhelmed. You will also be able to explain phenomena of the nervous system to them so that they become curious about how their bodies function and respond as they start to feel better. The beauty of this work is that it enables the client to be a part of their own recovery as they use the tools as and when they need, in order to regain stability when they are alone. Students themselves feel great benefits from the work they do throughout the year.

It can be used by anyone working with individuals that display symptoms of trauma and can often quickly help them begin to feel calmer, safer and less overwhelmed.

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Course Description

The course takes place over six separate two-day weekend master-classes approximately two months apart and includes: All students get individual support throughout the course.

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  • 6 weekends of practical learning

  • 3 individual somatic trauma sessions

  • 6 group supervisions

  • course workbook

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Download of summary course content and full syllabus.

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What you will learn

  • a range of techniques to enable you to guide your client and reduce the impact of trauma

  • how to recognise and work with dissociation, freeze and overwhelm

  • how to work with specific trauma such as ACE, sexual abuse, attack, pre-verbal events

  • the theory of trauma and its effect on the Autonomic Nervous System, so you and your client understand that they are going through a normal survival response

  • ways to teach clients to observe and track their physical sensations, using simple exercises to help them observe and tolerate those sensations that give rise to strong emotions

  • most importantly you are taught how to keep your client feeling safe

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Personalised way of learning

You will learn directly from our school director, Simonetta Logan, a graduate of Babette Rothschild’s Somatic Trauma Therapy and an advanced graduate of Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing©. She has been working successfully with trauma for over thirty years.

A maximum of 15 people will be accepted on the course to ensure individual attention. We work in triads, an assistant tutor with each group, to support students and ensure safety and ease of learning throughout the weekend.

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Requirements

Our criteria for students are that they have insight and are prepared to work on themselves. They should be sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of others and able to communicate emotionally and verbally.

The course is open to anyone with a practice base in counselling, psychotherapy, bodywork, massage and/or who works with people suffering from trauma.

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Certification

The course is worth 148 points as Continued Professional Development and is accredited with the FHT.  It may either be used as a stand-alone therapy, or integrated into your present practice.

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Booking, dates & fees

We ask all prospective students to contact us to arrange an informal interview with Simonetta.  This will ensure that the course will properly meet your needs. Please contact Simonetta on 07843 426381 if you are interested in joining the course before making paying your deposit.

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FEES 

The course fee is £2,000, payable by the start of the course, with early bird (payment in full one month before course start date) or MTI students paying £1,800. The deposit is £450. (The fee will be increasing for the next course commencing in March 2026.)

Deposits and payments are refundable until one month prior to the start of the course or in full if your place is taken by someone on the waiting list.

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Payment Options


            Deposit £450.00 GBP
           
            Balance £1,550.00 GBP
           
            Early Bird / MTI Balance £1,350.00 GBP
           

​​Course Dates:

 

2025

6/7Sep, 8/9Nov

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2026

17/18 Jan, 14/15 Mar, 9/10 May, 12/12Jul

 

​Course Content:

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​Practice Management

  • 1.   Ethics and Professionalism

  • 2.   Setting up and managing and promoting a Massage Therapy Practice

  • 3.   Record keeping - taking and keeping client’s notes, keeping accounts, legalities, insurance and public liability  

 

Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology

  • 1.   Cells, tissues and functions

  • 2.   The skeletal system

  • 3.   The articulatory system

  • 4.   The muscular system

  • 5.   The integumentary system

  • 6.   The cardiovascular system

  • 7.   The lymphatic system

  • 8.   The nervous system

  • 9.   The endocrine system

  • 10. The respiratory system

  • 11. The digestive system

  • 12. The urinary sytem

  • 13. The reproductive system

  • 14. Pathology of each of the systems

 

Swedish Massage

  • 1.   The history, philosophy and role of Swedish Massage

  • 2.   The benefits and physiological effects of massage - general and specific including the effects of massage on the different systems of the body

  • 3.   How to present oneself professionally with due regard to hygiene, manner and posture

  • 4.   The preparation and maintenance of the working area with due regard to the safety and comfort of the client

  • 5.   The consultation, history taking and evaluation of the client, checking for cautions and contra-indications and assessing the client's needs, referring clients where appropriate.

  • 6.   The safe and practical application of the movements of massage incorporating safe and efficient posture and the uses and effects of the different moves

  • 7.   Relating the manual techniques of massage to knowledge of anatomy and physiology

  • 8.   Swedish massage to back, abdomen, legs, feet, arms, hands, neck and shoulders (seated and prone), and face. Full body massage.

  • 9.   Care of clients with special needs

  • 10. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the Swedish Massage, aftercare and advice, common client reactions to massage treatment.

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Stress Management 

  • 1.   Stress

  • 2.   General Adaptation Syndrome:

  • 3.   Effects of long-term stress

  • 4.   Stress and disease

  • 5.   Stress management

  • 6.   Stress and relaxation

  • 7.   Relaxation techniques

 

The Swedish Massage module enables the student to safely and effectively administer therapeutic massage both within the clinical and sporting environment. Practical tools are given to treat these conditions, helping the student to reduce pain, promote healing and restore balance within the musculoskeletal system.

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Entry Requirements

There is no academic entry requirement, but students must be physically able to perform massage. 

 

Duration of Study

​The course will run once a month for 8 months. 

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Method of Study

Weekends will be run approximately once a month and will cover both the practical and theoretical elements of the course. This learning will be supplemented by  home study each month which will include assignments, practice of techniques, case studies and a research paper. Students will also be expected to both shadow and conduct case studies on tutors, for at least 3 half days throughout the course. They will also be encouraged to form small study groups to allow practice of practical techniques between weekends.

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Course Material

Course material will consist of comprehensive handouts, dynamic spreadsheets and video links. Students will therefore require access to email, the internet and Microsoft Office and have a working knowledge of each.

 

Equipment

All students will need access to a couch for their case studies.

 

Assessment

Award of the Diploma in Swedish Massage will based on:

  • Continuous assessment throughout the course, based on performance at each session, together with home study assignments and case studies.

  • Final assessments, which will include written, oral and practical examinations.

 

Qualification

On successful completion students will be awarded a Diploma in Swedish Massage, which meets the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) Massage Therapy Curriculum  

to Level 6 (The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework; Scotland); Level 3 (Regulated Qualifications Framework; England and Wales); Levell 5 (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment; Northern Ireland); on the UK Qualification Comparison Chart.

 

Accreditation

The Course is accredited by the National Association of Massage and Manipulative Therapists.

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Further Training

On successful completion of the course students will be eligible to apply for the Remedial and Sports Massage Course.

 

Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

On completion of the course opportunities will be provided for graduates to gain their statutory 20 hours CPD required to meet GCMT and CHNC guidelines.

 

Enquiries

Please contact us with any queries by email at admin@amts.co.uk.

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Application Form 

Terms and Conditions

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