About Nicola
Hello and Welcome,
I’m Nicola
I am a certified body-mind therapist, offering 1-2-1 somatic trauma recovery work, trauma-sensitive bodywork & group movement spaces for curious bodies. I am registered with SEAuk, Ctha and ZBAuk.
I draw upon 30 years of clinical practice & personal exploration of the bodymind in the fields of embodied movement and conscious touch. I am a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), a Zero Balancing Touch Practitioner and a yoga & embodied movement teacher. I continue to enjoy my life-long commitment to ongoing study and regular supervision.
Qualifications & Experience
- Somatic Experiencing: 18 hour “ In Touch” workshop with Pedro Prado & Paula Mattoli. May 2025. Spain.
- Internal Family Systems Online Circle. Foundations of the IFS model. 6 month training. June 2023 – December 2023
- Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Graduate (3 year training) with Somatic Experiencing Spain and SOS International, UK. March 2021-April 2023
- Working with Complex Trauma. 5 week course with Peter Levine and Diane Poole Heller. February 2023
- Somatic Interventions for Chronic Pain and Syndromes. 5 week course with Peter Levine and Diane Poole Heller. February 2022
- Zero Balancing for the Viscera. 5-day intensive with Judith Sullivan, London, November 2019
- THAI Sen Lines Therapy Intensive with Felicity Joy. May 2018
- Autism Awareness Training. 2-day workshop in conjunction with Autism Sussex. Hastings. 2018
- OsteoThai for breathing with Luliana College. 5-day intensive September 2015.
- Special Yoga for the Special child, Level 1. 5-day training with the Special Yoga Centre, NW London. November 2014
- Advanced Zero Balancing with Fritz Smith. 5-day intensive. July 2014
- 10 -day Vipassana Retreat- Dharma Dipa, Wales, January 2012
- Pulsing Master Class & Teacher Training with Silke Ziehl. The Open Centre, London. January-September 2010
- ” Field Work” Advanced Zero Balancing with Fritz Smith. July 2010
- Yoga from Within. Study Retreat with Angela Farmer & Victor Van Kooten, Eftalou. 21 days, October 2009
- Zero Balancing for Pregnancy with Richard & Karen Walters. 4 days. February 2009.
- ” Freely Moveable Joints” Advanced Zero Balancing with Fritz Smith. 5-day intensive.July 2007
- Zero Balancing Skills Workshop with Jeff Lennard. April 2007.
- Advanced Yoga Studies:Yoga teacher training programme with Donna Farhi & Faculty, Vancouver (170hrs). August 2006
- Core Zero Balancing Workshops I & II: Paul Cohen. Auckland, February 2005 & London, November 2005
- Deep Bodywork Foundation with Silke Ziehl Open Centre, London. July 2003-March 2004
- OsteoThai General with OsteoThai College, Sunshine House, Greece. 5 day intensive. 2004
- Pulsing Foundation with Silke Ziehl. The Open Centre. May–November 2003
- Further and Adult Education Teacher’s Certificate: City & Guilds 7307, Stage 2. The City Lit. January – July 2002
- Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training at Sivananda Vedanta Centre, India. (200hrs) January 2003
- Lifesaver First Aid Course for Adults & Lifesaver First Aid Course for Babies & Children: St. John’s Ambulance. February 2003
- Yoga for Pregnancy workshops with Lolly & John Stirk. November 2003. Lolly has been a child-birth educator and yoga teacher for the past 20 years, her style of teaching supports the work done by the Active Birth Movement.
- Baby Massage Teacher’s Training with Peter Walker. February – March 2002
- On-site Massage Training, Academy of on-site massage, London, November 2000
- Traditional Thai Massage Training. Sunshine Network, Thailand & England. January 1998, Jan-April 1999 & Dec 2000-February 2001, with Asokananda (author of The Art of Traditional Thai Massage)
- Vipassana Retreat- month long practice with Asokanda. March 1999
- Anatomy, Physiology and Body Massage Diploma (ITEC). Morley College. Feb-May 2000
- Therapeutic Massage Diploma. BodyMind Therapeutics, Leeds. May- December 1997
My work is rooted in a deep trust of the body’s wisdom. I hold a space of non-judgemental listening to the body’s stories. When we develop open-hearted curiosity for these untold stories and give space, time to approach ourselves with gentle curiosity, this is when deep transformation of what is stuck or what is painful, can occur.
I believe in starting with what is — with the body we’ve been given; this structure of bones, muscles, organs, skin. Our physical structure gives us something to anchor into so that we have space to expand and explore what fills it; emotions, sensations, thoughts, experiences. Our bodies hold the possibility for both depth and play, for groundedness and mystery, for strong boundaries and soft connection.
This business of living fully in our human body is not easy. It is simple, but not easy. The path goes up and down. It requires humility and an ongoing commitment to stay in contact with what goes on beneath the surface. I am not here to be an expert on your experience.
I am not here to tell you what to do or give you answers. My role as practitioner is to accompany you; to journey alongside and empower you to connect with your own internal wisdom. Drawing, as I can, on my lifetime experience of inner exploration, practical tools and lived practice as an aspirational full-time person.
My Story ...
In 2021, our family emigrated from Somerset, UK, to the rural mountains of Portugal – a Brexit-inspired, now-or-never leap toward a long-held dream. After four years nomadic-living, we are finally in an aspirational off-grid one hectare farm with two cats, imminent chickens & pigs, and masses of olive trees.
I am mother to two girls. Becoming a parent later in life means navigating the intersection of teen meets menopausal mother – necessitating a fast track to self-care, humility, and a growing allegiance with the Crone!
In 2024 I co-founded a Cosmic Dance Space with Julie Bickerton from Nomad Therapies the UK. These are therapeutic spaces of serious fun, an invitation for all female bodies to move freely; supported and seen. Dance has been a growing place of solace, spontaneity, and deeper connection and I love sharing it with others.
At home, I lean into my natural world – wild swimming, mountain walks, tending the land. Trusting in the cycles and rhythms and consistency of Mother Nature, really helps me to ground during times of flux and change.
My Inspirations…
In my 30’s & 40’s I facilitated Thai Massage trainings, within a Lahu hill tribe community in N.Thailand and in 2004 I wrote a book: Thai Massage Step-by-Step.
My approach to life has been deeply shaped by our Lahu friends and their matriarchal, nomadic way of life.
I can’t resist wild water — my ideal New Year’s walk includes mountains, and a frosty paddle.
I get high on community folk dancing: Morris dancing, ceilidhs. Bells, high-skipping and the Do-si-Do, are pure joy. Flamenco: moves me to tears.
Overcoming my fear of horses showed me the magic of nervous systems working together to create safety and I am forever grateful for my time as part of the Equine Affinity team.