Beyond Words: The Missing Language In Therapy
An Introduction to Functional Analysis Somatic Psychotherapy
1 day Experiential Workshops in Presence.
Saturday 31 October 2026 — 12:00 – 6:00 pm (AEST)
NEW Training Program is set to begin in 2027
Talking Is Not Enough
In therapy, especially in trauma work, words and insight can only take people so far.
Healing requires embodied experience. Before words, before cognition, before interpretation, there is contact.
Why Touch Matters
Touch is the first sense to develop, the “mother of all senses.”
It supports growth, safety, belonging, and nervous system regulation.
Yet despite its importance, touch is often avoided or feared in psychotherapy.
The absence of touch, as well as experiences of abusive or invasive touch, can leave lasting wounds.
Safe, attuned touch helps restore:
• Connection to the body
• Self-trust
• Natural self-regulation
Functional Analysis: A Somatic Approach
In Functional Analysis, the touch is gentle, attentive, it follows the client’s rhythm, supporting rather than directing or forcing.
Participants Will Experience
• “Points & Positions”, a gentle, non-invasive touch method
• A somatically integrated approach to verbal work
• Develop greater attunement to the body
What You’ll Experience in the one-day workshop
- Live demonstration of the Points & Positions touch techniques
- Live demonstration of somatic verbal interaction
- Opportunities for direct practice and experiential learning
- A supportive space to deepen embodiment and presence
Who Can Attend
Counsellors, psychotherapists from any modality, health practitioners, and students seeking to deepen embodiment in clinical practice.
If, after attending the one-day workshop, you wish to pursue advanced in-depth study, a comprehensive experiential and theoretical training program will commence in 2027. This training meets all PACFA requirements for accreditation as a Registered Clinical Psychotherapist.
The training programme adheres to PACFA’s Code of Ethics and Clinical Competencies.
7 hours – Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
For those interested in gaining in-depth, experiential and theoretical knowledge of this comprehensive approach, a full training program scheduled for 2027 is available.
Australian Trainers
Ermanno Bergami –
Clinical Psychotherapist, Supervisor, Director and Tutor of Functional Analysis Training in Australia
Maria Sangiorgi –
Dance Movement Therapist, Functional Analysis Somatic Psychotherapist, Co-director and Tutor at the Functional Analysis Training in Australia
International Trainer online from Italy
Anna Comacchio –
Clinical Psychologist, Functional Analysis Psychotherapist International Trainer and Senior Lecturer at IUSVE University of Venice
Training Administrator:
Maggie Bergami
Dates and Times:
Saturday 22 August 2026 — 10.00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 31 October 2026 — 12:00 – 6:00 pm
(please note we need to start at these time for our international presenter)