Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy
- Hakomi Therapy -

in Sydney & Online

A gentle, experiential approach for anxiety, sensitivity and overwhelm, shame, attachment and trauma-related patterns, and the parts of ourselves that can be difficult to understand and transform through thinking alone.

Sometimes we understand ourselves, our patterns and our developmental wounds very well…

And yet we still find ourselves caught in the same reactions, feelings or relationship patterns.

You might experience anxiety or overwhelm, feel particularly sensitive to your environment or other people, struggle with shame or self-criticism, or notice that old attachment or trauma-related patterns continue to influence how you experience yourself and your relationships.

Or perhaps nothing feels dramatically “wrong”… you’re simply curious about yourself and drawn to a therapy that works with more than thoughts, analysis and cognitive insight.

I offer Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy for people wanting a gentle, experiential and body-aware way of exploring and transforming these patterns.

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Your body takes part in the conversation

Intellectual understanding can be incredibly valuable, but sometimes insight alone doesn’t change how we feel or respond.

Hakomi uses mindfulness and the body to study the often-unconscious patterns that organise our experience, including beliefs, emotional responses and protective strategies that shape how we relate to ourselves, other people and the world.

Rather than only talking about a pattern, we can gently slow things down and notice how it is showing up in the present moment; perhaps through a sensation, emotion, impulse, image, posture or familiar way of responding.

These experiences can give us clues about what a pattern may be protecting or trying to accomplish. Bringing these patterns into awareness can create opportunities for transformation, new experiences and greater choice.

Session Prices

In Person or Online

55 min session: $180 AUD
80 min session: $260 AUD

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Testimonials

  • After each session with Daniela I felt lighter, liberated from barriers that have impeded me. I've discovered new possibilities, embracing the hope that comes with conscious attention to how I move through the world. Daniela's training in both body-centred and cognitive therapy, as well as her calm and gentle manner, ensured I felt skilfully and compassionately met, exactly where I was in that moment. I felt safely held as she accompanied me on journeys to forgotten corners of my past, noticing how those experiences have shaped me, and how I can now choose a more self-compassionate, intentional path.

    — FIONA, Sydney, NSW

  • Daniela is one of those rare therapists you always hope to find. She has a beautiful approach, letting each session naturally unfurl in an incredibly safe and supportive way. Her approach has unlocked some incredible insight into my emotional patterns, and I leave each session feel calm and hopeful.

    — SARA, Norfolk Island

  • Working with Daniela has been a truly transformative experience. She has an incredible gift for creating a space where I feel completely safe to be vulnerable, I never feel uncomfortable expressing my emotions around her, even when I’m in completely messy tears. Her intuitive approach to our sessions always seems to guide us exactly where we need to go, and over time, I’ve built a deep trust in her process. What I appreciate most is how deeply present and attuned she is. Daniela remembers the meaningful things we explore, shows me how they’re relevant to the work we’re doing, and gently holds space when we move into more “crunchy” territory. She always meets me with warmth, compassion, and a genuine openness that makes it easy to express even the parts of myself I’ve carried since childhood. Through our work, I’ve been able to move through a range of difficult experiences with grace and support. She’s helped me unpack and heal aspects of my relationship with my family, and navigate my social anxiety with greater ease. I’ve also learned many useful techniques that I now apply in real-life situations, they’ve made a huge difference. Daniela’s energy is kind, grounded, and nurturing. I always feel seen, heard, and validated in our sessions. She has a rare ability to hold space in a way that makes me feel completely safe, which allows for deep healing to take place. I honestly can’t recommend her enough, she’s an exceptional therapist and an amazing human who truly knows how to keep her people safe.

    — DANIEL, Newcastle, NSW

  • Highly recommend Daniela,. After my first session with her I’ve had the most amazing results already and it is such a relief to have tools to help me through struggles. I am looking forward to my sessions with her <3

    — SALOME, Cairns, QLD

  • I can't recommend Daniela highly enough. Her sessions are always filled with incredible, supportive energy and she has helped me through one of of the most difficult times in my life. She's professional, discreet (important in small communities!) and most importantly, incredibly good at what she does. I would (and do) recommend her services to anyone.

    — EMMA, Norfolk Island

  • Daniela is a lovely soul. Her sessions are honestly so good. She has a calming energy, and always creates a safe space to be open. I highly recommend Daniela

    — CHARLOTTE, Sydney, NSW

  • Working with Daniela has been great! Not only a space for us to connect and to uncover parts of ourselves, but also to be able to see each others’ ways of connecting and the differences between us that can be bridged. The space she creates is super safe and supportive, we’ve felt we could proceed at our own pace. She uses her intuition brilliantly and has helped us to uncover hidden dynamics that were able to be brought onto the surface. She knows so many different practices applicable to sexuality and intimacy that are really fun, simple, profound. She takes us beyond words straight into connection with our own bodies and with each other. We highly recommend her work and encourage any couple to give it a go, there’s always more to learn, more depth to explore, more fun to have!

    — ROSSANA & CHRIS, Byron Bay, NSW

  • I've loved my therapy sessions with Daniela. Initially I wanted to explore possible underlying causes of some physical body tension, and with Daniela’s help I was able to uncover the root of this, as well as various other challenges that I’ve been experiencing. It was amazing to see how they were all interconnected. I have gained a deeper understanding of how I react, both physically and emotionally to situations in my life. It all makes so much more sense. I feel like I know myself better and my mind feels more free. Thank you, Daniela!

    — SAARA, Norfolk Island

  • Having lived with anxiety's grip over my life for 20 odd years I started sessions with Daniela honestly not knowing what to expect, or what I would achieve. However the experience has been profound. I feel like a new version of me has stepped out. Dani's approach has helped me uncover a way to understand the roots of my anxiety, and observe it without getting overwhelmed, leading to the gentle easing of its intensity and allowing its grip to soften.

    — K, Australia

  • How Daniela holds her sessions feels so incredibly supportive and safe. When I came in for my first therapy session I felt quite nervous, not being sure what would come up for me. Daniela was so deeply present, attuned and followed queues that enabled me to go deep on some core beliefs that I hadn't realised were having such a significant impact on my life. I left the session feeling more hopeful and with a greater awareness that has endured many challenges. Daniela is highly skilled and knowledgeable and has mastered the gentle kindness, insight and wisdom for lasting change.

    — ELLEE, Byron Bay, NSW

  • I’ve worked with some of the most experienced and skilled practitioners around, and my session with Daniela was easily one of the best I’ve had. Dani was able to hold space with total presence and integrity whilst supporting me to go deeper into my own experience and creating a space where healing and transformation could take place. I would highly recommend working with her.

    — DANE TOMAS, Byron Bay, NSW

  • Daniela’s workshops to year 11 and 12 students were engaging and informative. The activities on consent address real concerns for students and were delivered in an authentic and relatable manner. I loved that the workshop got the conversation on consent going and provided students with skills if they were ever a similar situation.

    — CARLY ELLIS, Norfolk Island Central School

  • I love how Daniela encouraged me to voice what I truly need, releasing the fear of offending someone. She made me feel so safe and relaxed. Afterwards I felt amazing, like I’d had a total overhaul of my personality and body! I couldn’t have asked for a better practitioner. Highly recommend working with Dani!

    — MARION, Byron Bay, NSW

  • I remember finding the idea of these sessions quite edgy but it didn't take long for me to relax. Daniela is really relatable and non-judgmental, and helps you from the start to create a sense of safety. Daniela's sessions are tailored to your needs. There is so much to talk about and work through In these sessions that you'll definitely find yourself wanting more than one session...and she'll give you tools to use at home. Finding my voice and opening about difficult topics was healing for me. I found myself reflecting on my relationships and having a proper honest look. I left each session with a sense of freedom and curiosity.

    — YOANN, Byron Bay, NSW

  • Daniela is a wonderful soul. She's very attentive, self aware and her presence is soothing aswell as nurturing. I feel seen and heard when in her presence. She gently guides you to finding your own tools of self care and self love through witnessing and relaying your self-dialogue back to you. In the sessions I initially felt a degree of challenge that I often feel when interacting with women in day-to-day life, but with Daniela there is layer of safety which has in fact helped me to release the fears and blockages that I have had around my behaviour with women in general. I am already feeling a lot more empowered to slowly explore what's actually going on for me without becoming completely frozen.

    — RAYMUND, Byron Bay, NSW

  • The sessions we've had with Daniela have been amazing in creating love, connection and intimacy in a safe and gentle space. She provides the landscape to voice uncomfortable topics between us in a way that brings us closer together and simultaneously provides realistic, beautiful and playful exercises and solutions. Thank you Dani

    — VIV & SEAMUS, Alice Springs, NT

  • Daniela holds a beautiful loving space. Her perceptiveness helped me to understand and move through different emotions. I left feeling more peaceful, more open and more compassionate. Just a beautiful session guided by a beautiful person! Thank you!

    — ALLIE, Norfolk Island

  • I have done a lot of personal development work, but the depth, power and beauty of my session with Daniela was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I wasn’t even aware I had difficulty receiving or asking for what I need, and yet through Daniela’s calm, nurturing presence I reached a level of exquisite vulnerability that has taken me to new depths of self awareness. Daniela has helped me rewrite this old pattern, release shame, so that I can ask for what I need. This new insight and healing has not been unearthed in all the many modalities I’ve tried.  I believe this is testament to the safety of the container she holds and her warm, loving presence. She is skilled, knowledgeable, gentle, intuitive and also a powerful space-holder. I would highly recommend working with Daniela, she has a gift.

    — INGRID, Murwillumbah, NSW

  • I contacted Daniela because I wanted to work on some blockages around intimacy. I was a bit nervous before my first session and didn’t really know what to expect but Daniela’s warm and grounding energy made me feel safe straight away - she created such a welcoming space for me to explore parts of me that I have been scared of looking at for a long time. Each session has revealed different insights to me, taking me exactly where I need to go. She is super attuned to what is needed in the moment, always checking in with me to make sure we are going in the pace that feels good for me. I always leave feeling more grounded and connected to myself. Thanks Dani for helping me to deepen my self awareness. I feel more confident to practice the tools you have taught me more deeply in my own life.

    — CAROLINE, Sweden

  • Daniela made me feel so comfortable. This type of work was new to me, but she's like a warm, comfortable hug that offers such deep reverence and presence to each individual person that I truly believe everything is welcome and possible with her. I have taken so much from my session with Daniela, in many facets of my life - spirituality, sexuality, consent, body wisdom, self acceptance and self knowing. It has rewritten my relationship to my body and my relationship to all other beings. Endless thanks.

    — CHARLOTTE, Melbourne, VIC

  • Thank you Daniela for this amazing and eye-opening experience. I love how you connected the session to my own spiritual journey, it showed how much genuine attention you have for your clients needs. It's made me aware of how beautiful I am and of the importance of respecting and especially loving my body. The session showed me that self love and acceptance opens up so much more than I thought.

    — FABIAN, Murwillumbah, NSW

  • Daniela is an incredibly talented practitioner. She helped me understand where some of my emotional blocks were coming from, why they show up the way they do and how to be with them, learn from them and move beyond them. I can’t recommend Daniela and Body Mind Conversations enough!

    — ALLIE, Norfolk Island