Shay McDowall Therapy

Shay McDowall Therapy Trauma & recovery
Nervous system exploration | Somatic therapy services

My perspective regarding AI and mental health đź’­
09/09/2025

My perspective regarding AI and mental health đź’­

This is a tool I absolutely love to use in both my professional and personal life. If you’re ever struggling to resonate...
19/02/2025

This is a tool I absolutely love to use in both my professional and personal life. If you’re ever struggling to resonate with someone on a topic or potentially find it triggering, I highly recommend giving this communication tool a try.

For example, imagine someone shares a political view that deeply conflicts with your own beliefs. Instead of immediately reacting, pause and reflect: What can you understand within their perspective?

Often, it’s useful to identify the feeling/emotion observed, because that’s where we connect as humans.

A potential response could be something like:
“I can see how passionate you are about this topic. It’s really inspiring to care about something so deeply.”

Be mindful of your tone and remember to validate the valid. It’s helpful to respond with a statement instead of a question because it affirms the person’s feelings without prolonging the debate, conflicting your own beliefs and politely redirects conversation.

Why is this useful? Because it encourages understanding, maintains respect in conversations, and helps build stronger connections even when opinions differ 🤍

February sessions available to book ✨
16/02/2025

February sessions available to book ✨

To live with intention comes from a deep connection to the body and self. When we are in a chronic state of dysregulatio...
11/01/2025

To live with intention comes from a deep connection to the body and self. When we are in a chronic state of dysregulation, our ability to make conscious, grounded decisions is compromised. Instead, our decisions are often shaped by internal cognitive dialogues that are distorted and reactive. This is what psychologists refer to as a top-down approach: the brain’s higher functions, like thought and reasoning, drive our actions. While this can be useful in task-focused environments, it doesn’t always serve us when it comes to living in the present moment.

The issue with relying too heavily on this top-down approach is that our mind, in its protective role, draws on past experiences often misinterpreting them and constructs a version of reality designed to keep us safe. While this mode can be optimal when planning for future events or challenges, it can be detrimental in everyday life. The mind’s narrative, based on past fears or protective instincts, distorts how we experience the world in the present, preventing us from fully engaging with life as it is.

In contrast, everyday life is primarily governed by the limbic brain, the part of our brain that is responsible for emotional processing. When we are in a state of chronic stress or overwhelm, the limbic system is overactive, and this emotional overdrive can cause havoc on the nervous system. It can lead to feelings of anxiety, irritability, or a sense of chaos in our bodies. In these moments, the top-down, cognitive approach, driven by our mind’s protective responses, becomes a barrier to experiencing the calm, clarity, and presence we need to navigate life.
Continued in comments….

I’m back from holidays and ready to see all of your beautiful faces again ✨A new year brings so many new opportunities.I...
11/01/2025

I’m back from holidays and ready to see all of your beautiful faces again ✨
A new year brings so many new opportunities.
If you are not a client of mine and have been considering somatic therapy, perhaps this might be a gentle invitation to book your session and begin the journey of self discovery and connection.

I hope you all had a safe holiday. See you soon!

Just in case you or someone you care about out needed a reminder 🔔 🤍
09/12/2024

Just in case you or someone you care about out needed a reminder 🔔 🤍

You can count on me to share a wealth of neuroscience-based insights during our sessions. The methods I use are not only...
25/11/2024

You can count on me to share a wealth of neuroscience-based insights during our sessions.
The methods I use are not only effective but also supported by evidence, providing a strong foundation for meaningful and lasting progress 🧠

What is trauma? What makes integrative somatic and talk trauma therapy so valuable?Integrative somatic and talk trauma t...
18/11/2024

What is trauma?
What makes integrative somatic and talk trauma therapy so valuable?

Integrative somatic and talk trauma therapy combines evidence-based practices to address trauma from both a psychological and physical perspective.

Here’s why it’s so effective:

Holistic Healing: It works on both the mind and body, helping clients process trauma cognitively while releasing physical tension or stress stored in the body.

Access Unconscious Trauma: Trauma can be stored in the body, and somatic techniques help bring awareness to physical sensations that may hold unresolved emotions or memories.

Regulate the Nervous System: By using body-centered approaches like breathwork and grounding, it helps restore balance to the nervous system, which can be dysregulated by trauma.

Empowerment & Safety: Clients gain control over their physical responses and emotions, fostering a sense of safety and self-efficacy in the healing process.

Long-Term Relief: This combined approach offers deeper, lasting healing by addressing both the root causes and the physical symptoms of trauma.

This integrative method supports recovery on a deeper level, using proven techniques for comprehensive, sustainable healing.

November sessions available ✨Booking button now active in bio
11/11/2024

November sessions available ✨
Booking button now active in bio

New logo incoming 🧠For those who might not know, I am nearing the end of my psychology degree with a keen passion to pur...
10/11/2024

New logo incoming 🧠
For those who might not know, I am nearing the end of my psychology degree with a keen passion to pursue my masters in neuroscience.
The brain, and the intricate ways it functions, is a huge interest of mine! Specifically the interplay between brain injury and psychological presentations/misdiagnosis.
So of course, it had to be integrated into the new logo.

✨

It has been 6 wonderful years that I’ve had the honour of being in this space of healing, providing talk and somatic the...
10/11/2024

It has been 6 wonderful years that I’ve had the honour of being in this space of healing, providing talk and somatic therapy to you wonderful humans!
And recently, I’ve made the decision to add my name to the brand I’ve worked so hard to build ✨
Honu Haven will still be where sessions are held with big things on the horizon!

Website is currently in the rebranding process and I cannot wait to share everything that is coming soon.

Stay tuned!

Shay x

I have opened my books up substantially for the next fortnight before I recommence uni so if you have been thinking abou...
15/02/2023

I have opened my books up substantially for the next fortnight before I recommence uni so if you have been thinking about a session I encourage you to book.

DM for details or book via link in bio xx

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Narangba, QLD
4504

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 8pm
Tuesday 4pm - 8pm
Wednesday 4pm - 8pm

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