Somatic Tao is the therapeutic framework of Penny Boyland, BSc, Lic. Ac., SEP, mCThA
My journey into trauma healing
My fascination with dis-ease and healing began during childhood with the veterinary visits to my father’s farm. This led me to initially study and gain a BSc. (Hons) Pharmacology and embark on a successful career in different aspects of the Pharmaceutical industry. However, after 11 years I began to feel something was missing from the allopathic approach and so returned to 4 years, full-time education to gain my Licentiate of Acupuncture, (Lic. Ac.) at the International College of Oriental Medicine, (ICOM), East Grinstead. My acupuncture training was comprehensive, (Chinese Philosophy, Physiology and Pathology; Anatomy; Western Physiology and Pathology; and Massage) and included the advanced, four-dimensional knowledge of the Five Element Philosophy known as Stems & Branches, (S&B).
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) and Emotional Awareness
Concurrent with my Licentiate training, I also trained in Emotional Awareness for 7 years (2000-2007), learning how awareness of emotions in the body could heal emotional distress. Then in 2006 I undertook a further 3 years training to consolidate my experience working with stress and trauma, and qualified as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). My fervour for this therapeutic approach also led to the birth of the Somatic Experiencing Association UK (SEA UK) in November 2009, of which I was unanimously elected Chair (2009-2012). Thereafter I served as Treasurer (2012 – 2017) and focused on building SEA UK’s presence on Facebook, (2016 – 2018). In May 2012 I was also elected Secretary of the Board of EASE (European Association of SE), a position I held for the next three years. Since then I have championed support for European SE Training Assistants as a member of the European Assistant Task Force.
Subsequent to qualifying as an SEP in May 2009 I progressed as an SE Training Assistant and have supported SE Trainings internationally, (UK, Australia, Poland and Hungary). I gained approval as a Senior Assistant in Feb 2015 and am currently an approved Session Provider for all SE Trainee levels: Personal Sessions (since March 2014); Individual Case Consults, (since Feb 2015); and Small Group Case Consults (since Nov 2018). I also offer supervision to other SEPs. This journey has entailed hearing the SE training material delivered many times by different Trainers – a very rich experience that has deepened my knowledge and clinical application of SE theory.
Other Trauma Resolution Tools informing Somatic Tao
My insatiable appetite for ways to help heal trauma has led me to other post graduate trainings and certifications including:
- NeuroAffective Touch (NA Touch) 2020- trained by Aline LaPierre, NA Touch Pioneer
- The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) 2018 – trained by Dr Laurence Heller, NARM Pioneer
- The Comprehensive Resource Model, (CRM) 2017 – trained by Lisa Schwarz, CRM Pioneer
- The Alchemy of Shame Transformation Model (AST) 2017 – trained by Caryn Scotto d’Luzia, AST Pioneer
- The Grief Recovery Method (GRM) 2015 – trained by John James, GRM co-Pioneer and co-founder of The Grief Recovery Institute
plus understanding of Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory and Bowlby’s Attachment Theory.
Evolution of Somatic Tao
In the last five years Somatic Tao has evolved into to it’s own framework to specifically understand the impact of Babyhood Emotional Neglect, BEN.
At the centre of Somatic Tao is the proposition that emotional neglect is not simply the absence of good parenting. During babyhood, when the nervous system depends upon caregiver co-regulation, insufficient emotional attunement can result in internally mobilising emotion becoming organised as threat within the developing nervous system.
Many adults carry the impact of BEN in their nervous system and body without realising. Even though their parents supported their material and educational needs, their adult life isn’t what they expected. They either experience physical and/or psychological symptoms; or seem unable to achieve the relationships they most desire; or struggle to flourish in life. Somatic Tao’s BEN is able to provide valuable insight to such realities.
My Passion
Whilst emotional neglect has been extensively studied, it has not generally been conceptualised as a developmental threat process in the way proposed by Somatic Tao. Furthermore, several major systemic, cultural and psychological barriers have prevented this critical knowledge from reaching everyday parents. I view this a tragedy for too many already born and as yet unborn. Hence my passion to raise awareness of BEN in whatever way I can.