About
Somata was founded from a commitment to the field of psychotherapy and a vision to provide students with a deeply meaningful, embodied training experience. Its approach combines rigorous theoretical study with experiential and embodied learning, all within small, intimate training groups that foster personal and professional growth.
Director and core tutor
Rebecca Davies is the director and core trainer at Somata. Rebecca is a PTSTA(P), trainer, supervisor, UKCP Certified Transactional Analyst, and an accredited Dance of Awareness Therapist. She holds advanced diplomas in Supervision, body psychotherapy and trauma. She has extensive experience teaching Transactional Analysis and embodied perspectives, as well as a special interest in Interpersonal Neurobiology.
Rebecca was the chair of UKATA’s exam committee and the CTA written exam coordinator for several years and is therefore intimately familiar with the many complex procedures and protocols around the examination and qualification process.
Our belief and philosophy
Embodiment and trauma informed
We believe strongly that for both learning and therapeutic growth, students and clients need to have an embodied experience to reach their full potential. Linked to this is our belief that all therapists need to be trauma informed. The skills and knowledge needed to work safely with trauma are applicable to all clients, even those who do not present with obvious trauma.
Rigorous theory
The job of a psychotherapist is a serious one. You will work with vulnerable individuals, who you are asking sharing their inner world with you. To do this job justice, we need to have a significant theoretical understanding of human beings, child development, neurobiology and more.
Transparency
Given the personal and financial commitment training to become a psychotherapist requires, we aim to offer students a clear pathway and give as much upfront information as we can.
Personalised training
​
At Somata, you will get to train with the same trainer for the full four years. This is an intentional decision as we believe it allows for a more personalised training experience. Over the years, your trainer will get to know you and be able to create learning goals for you based on your specific stage of development.
​
Neurodiversity affirming
​
The training programme has been designed keeping neurodiversity and different learning styles in mind. We have several different ways individuals may be assessed if the traditional methods of assignments do not show your strengths. Furthermore, neurodiversity and difference is considered throughout the modules, with students being invited to think critically about concepts from the very start of training.
Importance of unconscious processes
All psychotherapy practices are based on the understanding that much of our lived experience is influenced by processes we are not aware of. For individuals to know themselves better, to change and grow into who they wish to be, prioritising working with unconscious processes is essential. There are many creative ways in which therapists may do this, and at Somata we are invested in giving trainees several approaches so that that are able to work with a multitude of clients.