About Kate Lister

Welcome, I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m Kate, an Integrative Somatic Practitioner and founder of Mind Body Integration. My goal is to help you feel safer in your body, no matter what you’re experiencing.

 
 

Somatic Therapist specialising in chronic pain and stress relief

Your body speaks to you all the time — it’s your mind that avoids, distracts and makes you ‘think’ otherwise. I can help you tune into your body’s felt sense, connecting the dots between your experience of pain, stress, fatigue and emotional dysregulation to find relief and deep personal understanding.

Do you push through pain, fatigue and anxiety, wishing the problem would just be fixed already?

When my clients tell me stories about their lives, it often has a flavour of disconnecting through adaptive behaviours such as binge eating or drinking and working harder. They experience poor sleep, changes in bowel habits and pain flare-ups — despite trying so hard to heal.

 

I’ve walked the path you’re on…

For years, I experienced back pain so intense, it felt like a raging fire. Weekly physio would temporarily provide relief, but never got to the root cause.

I also suffered from IBS, chronic sinusitis, and a range of food intolerances, many of which required ongoing treatments.

I dreamed of being an elite athlete, and pushed myself to breaking point pursuing swimming, surf lifesaving, and triathlon — my body constantly screamed, but I chose not to hear her.

I bounced from anxiety to shutdown constantly — and traditional mental health models provided little relief.

Gradually, through much self-exploration and formal study, I learned to trust my symptoms as clues and listen to my body’s deep wisdom about what I truly needed.

 

 My Values

  • Honouring sensitivities

    I believe your sensitivity is your superpower. Once understood and heard, it can guide you to safe and pain-free ground.

  • Body-based wisdom

    Your body and brain are always communicating, via your senses. We can unlock healing by learning your body’s unique language.

  • Deep listening

    Listening to your body can be challenging if you experience chronic illness or trauma. Mindfulness-based practices support rebuilding internal trust.

My unique approach:

Somatic Mind-Body Therapy (SMBT)

After 20+ years of personal and professional work, I created my own blended-modality technique called Somatic Mind-Body Therapy. This integrative approach to nervous system regulation takes a ‘whole of person’ approach. So, rather than looking at just one symptom or part of you, we work holistically with your sensations and feelings, as well as your physical body and your mind.

SMBT is particularly useful for clients with chronic health conditions who feel like they have exhausted traditional medicine and allied health options. (In fact, I often receive referrals from physiotherapists and GPs). While these avenues may be helping to manage daily symptoms, collaboration provides long-term relief and growth.

 

At the beginning of our work together, clients often say things such as:

 
 

My body is broken.

I’ve tried everything to heal — nothing works.

I’ve suffered pain all my life — it is what it is, I just have to accept it now.

I wish I had a different body.

 

If you’re feeling this way, I invite you to explore SMBT with me.

Together, we can release pent-up tension, understand and challenge beliefs, move away from chronic physical and emotional pain, and heal past wounds.

Somatic Mind-Body Therapy

Polyvagal Theory

Mindfulness

Movement

Myotherapy

Pilates

Somatic Mind-Body Therapy Polyvagal Theory Mindfulness Movement Myotherapy Pilates

 

20+ years of qualifications and experience

I’m a lifelong learner and have amassed extensive study and experience in somatic parts work, pilates, anatomy, myotherapy, and meditation. Underpinning these professional qualifications is my lived experience of healing from chronic pain and stress.

I love to innovate creatively with ways to feel safe in the body, enhancing the mind/body connection. Because I deeply believe that finding safety and connection is imperative to a healthy life.

My formal training includes:

  • Masters of Counselling and Psychotherapy (currently studying)

  • Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy and Anatomy 

  • Graduate Certificate of Counselling

  • Integrative Somatics Trauma Therapy Certification

  • Somatic Parts Certification

  • Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification

  • Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Training

  • HeartMath Clinical Certification for Stress, Anxiety and Self-Regulation

  • Clinical Pilates Training via DMA

  • The Pilates Method Diploma

  • Comprehensive Pilates Training via BASi Body Arts & Science

From Survive to Thrive: Your free stress resilience resource

Understanding how your nervous system responds to stress is the first step to creating resilience. This free downloadable teaches you how to recognise key nervous system states within yourself. Includes journalling prompts, breathwork exercises and links to free Somatic Meditations — all designed to help you feel more safe and connected.