Soma Therapi opens at Monmouth House
Last month Bethan Protheroe opened her somatic counselling and yoga practice, Soma Therapi, in Monmouth House, here at the Estate. While she is highly experienced in mind and body therapies with many years of practice behind her, this is Bethan’s first dedicated studio. Here she tells us more about somatic therapy, her personal journey from a corporate job to a career in wellbeing and healing – and how it brought her here to Mamhilad Park Estate.
Somatic Therapies
Somatic counselling combines traditional talk therapy with movement. It is founded on the principle that stress, trauma and emotion are held not only in the mind but in the body too, often being the root of tension, pain or long-held beliefs that direct our lives and relationshipsand causing blockers to success and wellbeing.
“The combination of physical and talking therapy leads to ‘somatic release’, where mind and body begin to process and let go of what’s been stuck within us,” explains Bethan.
“The therapy completely depends on the individual, but it always combines mind and body. It is gentle and supportive but incredibly powerful and can lead to lasting, deep positive change in people’s lives.”
This individual approach is why Bethan offers an initial, free consultation so that each client can find out what is right for them and what to expect.
Soma Therapi
Bethan’s business “brings somatic counselling, yoga, movement and nature-based practice together under one roof”, here at her Mamhilad Park Estate base. Her premises includes The Pause Room, where her clients come for somatic counselling and The Flow Room, where she holds beginner-friendly yoga classes for all levels. She also intends to start running workshops here, too.
“We’re delighted to welcome Bethan to Mamhilad,” said Mike Whitson.
“Soma Therapi brings another important addition to the wellbeing offer here, with our occupier businesses’ clients able to access all kinds of physical and emotional wellbeing therapies all in one place.”
Bethan’s journey
Bethan’s career started on a very different path – as a solicitor in the south west of England. While she loved the people element – talking to them and and helping resolve challenging issues – she also knew she wasn’t entirely fulfilled.
“I decided to focus on people’s well-being and retrained as a yoga teacher,” she explains.
“People wondered what I was doing, leaving a well-paid job I had trained for for years, but I didn’t want to settle for something that didn’t give me passion or purpose.
“That was the start of my journey, really. I initially focused on the physical, also training as a Pilates instructor and as a personal trainer. But I knew something was missing, so qualified as both a counsellor and a clinical hypnotherapist, which brought the mind into my practice, too.
“This got me further along but then I discovered somatic counselling and everything just fell into place and made sense to me. From my own personal journey, I saw that, as human beings, we are a patchwork of mind and body which means a holistic approach to processing trauma and stress is essential – Soma Therapi was born from that realisation.”
Bethan and her husband relocated to Upper Cwmbran two years ago and today she works with clients from Newport, Abergavenny, Monmouth, Chepstow and Cardiff, having also worked with young people in the justice system.
“I love where I am now, helping people feel stronger, more connected and more at home in themselves every day in a way that is unique to them.”
Why Mamhilad Park Estate?
Bethan came across the Mamhilad Park Estate Wellbeing Hub and wider wellbeing business community here through her husband. She then arranged to see the available space, including Monmouth House.
“Alongside counselling and movement, immersion in nature and spending mindful time outdoors is the third piece of the puzzle,” says Bethan.
“So, arriving here, with the Brecon Beacons on the horizon and beautiful parkland around us, that connection felt immediate. Then, having the two distinct spaces for talking and movement therapies at Monmouth House just felt like a nudge from the universe!
“But the real draw for me is the wellbeing business community of wonderful women who have welcomed me in. There are so many fantastic wellbeing practitioners based here that it feels like I really have found my tribe with plenty of opportunities to work, learn and grow together.”
For more information and to book a free consultation with Bethan, please visit somatherapi.co.uk