Somatic Therapy for women

  • At the root of all stress-related illness is a dysregulated nervous system with a tendency toward a Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn response and thus imbalanced stress hormones, such as cortisol. Somatic therapy works with the body as a “bottom-up” approach, beginning with the body rather than the mind. This approach is best for regulation as it teaches the nervous system safety, allowing it to release stored emotion and tension from the body’s tissues and come back to a state of balance. Through movement and breathwork techniques, the nervous system can regulate its stress hormone production and relearn what regulation feels like.

  • The many symptoms associated with Complex PTSD have at their root a dysregulated nervous system. Somatic work targets the deepest level of the nervous system to release and express the pent-up tension associated with this condition and return the body and mind to a state of balance.

  • Adrenal fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome are a result of chronic stress over time impacting the body’s production of stress hormones and causing debilitating symptoms. At the root of this is a nervous system that has been dysregulated due to these imbalanced stress hormones - the exercises used in somatic therapy work to rebalance the body and mind and return the stress architecture to a state of harmony.

  • Hormonal imbalance of reproductive hormones (PCOS), thyroid hormone and others are often due to a combination of factors tipping the entire body out of balance. If chronic stress is at the root, somatic therapy can help to release stress and rebalance the body’s hormonal systems.

  • Tension and pent-up emotion can be stored in the tissues and musculature of the body. Somatic therapy can help to release stored up tension from the pelvis, introducing movement and fluidity and restoring balance.

  • The renowned psychologist Dr. Gabor Maté explains that women have nearly 80% of autoimmune disease due to their historic role in society to absorb stress, keep others happy, and put others first often without meeting their own needs. This can result in chronic stress and a dysregulated nervous system, thus affecting the immune system (as the nervous system is the CEO of the body). By releasing stress from the body and returning the nervous system to a balanced state, you can find relief from autoimmune conditions.

Meet your therapist….

Mary Riposta

Level 5 Acupuncture Diploma - Total Therapy Training (2025)

5-Element Acupuncture Apprenticeship Program - Glenn Delikan, LicAc

MSc. Health Psychology - University College London

Level 3 Sports Massage Diploma (ITEC)

Reiki Level 1 Certificate - Michael Kauffman

I specialise in women’s health and stress. I blend a variety of Eastern and Western modalities depending on the needs of each patient, addressing health at the deepest level of the nervous system. I approach healing as an overall combination of physical, emotional and spiritual balance.

Sessions can combine acupuncture, reiki, massage and somatic movement with a psychological lens (influenced by parts-work and Jungian theory) to unlock stored emotion in the body and regulate the nervous system. Several years working as a health coach for patients with Adrenal Fatigue followed by a study of psychoneuroimmunology at UCL has informed this approach.

I have also completed my degree in traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCM).

In addition to this work, I lecture a psychology course to osteopathic students focusing on stress physiology and health behaviour change to incorporate positive habits into one’s life. Outside of work you’ll find me biking, hiking, eating and dancing my way around London!