Therapy offers rest and restoration

 

Psychologist Sandra Palmer attended school at Bream Bay College and left in 1984 to attend university in Auckland to study psychology. She has lived mainly in Auckland since then but is now returning part-time to the north. 

A registered psychologist and 500 hour trained yoga teacher, Sandra works holistically with people with what she calls integrative therapy, also known as somatic psychology. Integrative therapy combines evidence-based Western and Eastern psychological therapies and holistic somatic therapies using mind, body and breath to promote optimal health and wellbeing. 

A gentle, individualised and collaborative approach is taken for each unique client. Modalities used include talking therapy, movement, breathwork, mindfulness, restorative yoga, and iRest meditation (a somatic-based meditation of self-inquiry). All her work takes a trauma-informed approach. 

Much of the somatic work Sandra does is focused on calming nervous system responses so people can live in a more calm, easeful and balanced way. Reducing stress reduces inflammation so these approaches are useful for anyone with:
 Acute or chronic stress
 High blood pressure
 Immune dysfunction
 Chronic fatigue
 Fibromyalgia
 Chronic pain
 Insomnia
 Post traumatic stress
 Chemical dependency
 Anxiety
 Depression

Other areas of work she can provide include trauma therapy (approved as a therapist under ACC ISSC) and bereavement work (particularly those bereaved by a sudden death) and she is approved as a counsellor under Victim Support. 

Sandra also provides monthly restorative yoga classes at her new boutique yoga studio in Waipu called The Resting Place. These classes combine restorative yoga, yin yoga and yoga nidra. 
Sandra is involved in a variety of other work including:
 Working in private practice in Auckland
 Delivering Lifekeeper’s Suicide Prevention training for Le Va
 Training as a guest faculty member on the Contemporary Yoga teacher training
 A member of the Expert Suicide and Media Panel for the Chief Coroner
 Suicide prevention and postvention work for Clinical Advisory Services Aotearoa (CASA)

 Sandra is available for appointments at Waipu Natural Health on Mondays. Phone 0210 271 0129, email sandra@integrativetherapy.co.nz, or online integrativetherapy.co.nz