Core Energetics is rooted in the belief that each of us has a vibrant, life-affirming energy at our core—our “Core” self—which can become blocked by trauma, stress, or negative beliefs. Anxiety and depression often arise when this energy is trapped, manifesting as physical tension, racing thoughts, or emotional and physical numbness.
Here’s how Core Energetics helps you reconnect with your Core and alleviate these symptoms:
1. Releasing Physical Tension to Calm the Nervous System
Anxiety often shows up as a clenched jaw, shallow breathing, or a racing heart, while depression might feel like a weight pressing down on your body. These are signs of what Wilhelm Reich, a pioneer in somatic therapy, called “body armour”—physical patterns that hold unprocessed emotions.
Core Energetics uses targeted techniques like grounding exercises, staccato breathing, and expressive movement to soften this armor and release stagnant or held in energy.
The release of energy helps to reduce the intensity of anxious thoughts and creates a sense of safety. By releasing physical tension, Core Energetics helps calm the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for fight-or-flight responses) and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (which promotes rest and relaxation). This process can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms and lift the fog of depression.
2. Transforming Negative Beliefs and Emotional Patterns
Anxiety and depression are often fueled by deeply held beliefs, such as “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never feel better.” In Core Energetics, these are seen as part of the “mask” (the protective facade we show the world) or the “lower self” (the defensive, fear-based part of us).
Through body-based exploration, our therapists help you uncover these patterns and connect with your “higher self”—the authentic, joyful part of you that exists beneath the pain.
One of our clients, described her experience: “I used to spiral into anxiety whenever I felt criticised. In Core Energetics, my therapist helped me notice how I tensed my shoulders and held my breath during those moments. By working with my body, I realized this was a pattern from childhood. Releasing that tension helped me challenge the belief that I had to be perfect.”
Our Australian therapists use techniques like body reading (observing posture and movement to understand emotional patterns) expressing suppressed feelings to help you understand and transform these beliefs. This process not only reduces symptoms but also makes lasting changes.
3. Accessing and Processing Suppressed Emotions
Depression often stems from emotions that have been buried—grief, anger, or shame that couldn’t be expressed at the time. Anxiety, on the other hand, can arise when these emotions bubble up unconsciously, creating a sense of overwhelm.
Core Energetics provides a safe, supportive space to access and release these feelings through the body. In Core Energetics, we don’t just talk about emotions—we feel them in the body and move them through. For someone with depression, this might mean using movement to express anger they’ve held back for years.
For anxiety, it could involve slowing down the breath to create space for fear to be felt and released. Techniques like working with vibration postures, movement, and breathing help you to express emotions in a way that feels safe, contained and replaces anxiety with aliveness!
4. Fostering a Spiritual Connection for Deeper Healing
Core Energetics is unique in its integration of spirituality, viewing healing as a journey toward aligning with your Core—the universal life force that connects us all. For many people with anxiety and depression, this spiritual dimension offers a sense of purpose and hope that complements the physical and emotional work. Our therapists guide you to explore this spiritual aspect through practices like meditation, energy awareness, and heart-opening exercises. This holistic approach can be especially powerful for those who feel disconnected or are searching for meaning beyond their symptoms.
The Science Behind Core Energetics
Modern neuroscience supports the principles of Core Energetics, particularly its focus on the body’s role in emotional regulation. Somatic therapies like Core Energetics help rewire the brain by engaging the vagus nerve and activating the prefrontal cortex, which governs self-awareness and emotional balance. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Body Psychotherapy found that body-oriented therapies significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in participants, with lasting effects after six months. At the Institute of Body Psychotherapy, we combine these evidence-based principles with the transformative energy work of Core Energetics to support your healing journey.
Why Choose Core Energetics at the Institute of Body Psychotherapy?
At our Brisbane and Sunshine Coast locations, we are passionate about helping you find freedom from anxiety and depression through Core Energetics and somatic therapy. Here’s why our approach stands out:
- Highly Trained Practitioners: Our therapists are certified in Core Energetics through our rigorous three-year training program, ensuring you receive expert care grounded in both science and compassion.
- Holistic Healing: We address the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—offering a deeper, more integrated approach than traditional therapy.
- Safe and Supportive Environment: Our sessions are tailored to your unique needs, creating a space where you feel seen, heard, and empowered.
- Australian Expertise: As one of Australia’s leading centers for body psychotherapy, we bring local knowledge and a global perspective to our work.
Is Core Energetics Right for You?
Core Energetics may be a good fit if you:
- Feel stuck in traditional talk therapy or struggle to verbalize your emotions.
- Notice physical symptoms (tension, fatigue, or restlessness) alongside anxiety or depression.
- Are curious about a holistic approach that integrates body, mind, and spirit.
- Want to address the root causes of your symptoms, not just manage them.
If you’re unsure whether Core Energetics is right for you, our therapists are here to help. Booking an initial session allows you to experience the process firsthand and discuss your goals with a trained practitioner. Many of our clients find that even one session provides clarity and a sense of possibility.
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
Anxiety and depression don’t have to define your life. At the Institute of Body Psychotherapy, we believe that within you lies a vibrant, authentic Core waiting to be rediscovered. Core Energetics offers a powerful path to release blocked emotions, regulate your nervous system, and reconnect with your true self.
Ready to explore how Core Energetics can support your journey?
Book an appointment with one of our skilled therapists today. Visit our contact page. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Or learn more about our core energetics therapy, somatic therapy, group psychotherapy, core energetics training, core energetics techniques and workshops and how we can help you.