Week 1 — Orientation & the Therapeutic Lens

Recognising early-stage clinical uncertainty many therapists face when beginning somatic training.

You will learn how to take a clinical history through a somatic, person-centred lens and how to begin working with the nervous system safely from the very first points of contact.

This week focuses on:

*Integrating somatic awareness into your initial assessment process

*Recognising early nervous system cues during client intake

*Establishing safety and regulation from the outset of the therapeutic relationship

Focus: Beginning somatic work confidently and ethically from the start of therapy.

Week 2 — Survival Systems & the Emotional Brain

Build a clear, clinically grounded understanding of the fight, flight and freeze response.

You will deepen your knowledge of the neuroscience underpinning the stress response and the biological changes that occur in the body during activation and shutdown.

This week focuses on:

*Understanding the neuroscience of fight, flight and freeze

*Recognising the body’s stress responses in real time

*Translating complex theory into accessible client psychoeducation

Creating space for clarification so you leave feeling confident explaining this to clients

Focus: Strengthening your confidence in nervous system psychoeducation.

Week 3 — Introducing the Somatic, Person-Centred Nervous System States Framework

Learn how to map nervous system states clearly and clinically.

You will be introduced to the Somatic, Person-Centred nervous system states framework and somatic states map, and how these relate to where activation and shutdown are experienced in the body.

This week focuses on:

*Learning the structure of the Somatic, Person-Centred states framework

*Understanding how different states show up in the body

*Beginning to build your somatic toolkit

*Using the map to guide moment-to-moment clinical decisions

Focus: Developing a coherent framework for tracking and responding to nervous system states.

Week 4 — Relational Trauma, Attachment & Shame

Deepen your understanding of how early relational patterns shape somatic responses.

You will explore how relational trauma and attachment styles influence nervous system patterns, with particular attention to the role of shame and how it can be released somatically.

This week focuses on:

*How attachment patterns show up in the body

*Recognising somatic unconsious patterns that keep clients stuck

*Understanding the regulatory impact of shame

*Introducing ways to support somatic release safely and ethically

Focus: Working more effectively with the relational roots of dysregulation.

Week 5 — Modern Person-Centred Theory & Practice

Integrate somatic work confidently within a contemporary person-centred approach.

You will learn how the Somatic, Person-Centred states model sits within modern person-centred theory, and how to use your relational skills through a somatic lens.

This week focuses on:

*My modern person-centred therapeutic stance

*Where somatic states fit within person-centred theory

*Using relational presence as a regulator

*Bringing somatic awareness into core person-centred skills

Focus: Practising somatic work while staying fully grounded in person-centred values.

Week 6 — Neurodiversity & Adapting the Work

Increase your confidence in adapting nervous system work for neurodivergent clients.

You will explore how regulation patterns may present differently across neurodivergent profiles and how to adjust your approach safely and respectfully.

This week focuses on:

*Recognising different nervous system presentations

*Avoiding one-size-fits-all somatic interventions

*Adapting pacing, language and expectations appropriately

Focus: Increasing flexibility and clinical sensitivity in your work.

Week 7 — Building Your Somatic Therapy Toolkit

Consolidate the skills you have learned and organise them into a clear clinical system.

You will revisit key interventions from the programme and build your therapy somatic toolkit using Sarah Jones’ personalised system, designed to support confident use in the therapy room.

This week focuses on:

*Revisiting and refining core somatic skills

*Structuring your personalised somatic toolkit

*Knowing when and how to use each intervention

*Strengthening your confidence in real-session application

Focus: Leaving with a practical, usable somatic system for your clinical work.

Week 8 — Practice Day (Live Experiential Workshop)

Embed the method through guided experiential practice.

This extended live session (10am–2pm) gives you the opportunity to consolidate the Somatic, Person-Centred Method™ through demonstration, triad practice and supported integration.

This session includes:

Live demonstrations

Triad practice with feedback

Final integration and closing circle

Focus: Bringing the learning fully into practice.