Core Energetics is a body-oriented method of psychotherapy that works with the body as well as the thinking mind — using breath, movement, posture and “body reading” to identify survival defence patterns formed in childhood, then releasing them to restore vitality, authenticity and connection to life purpose. It’s offered in individual and couples sessions with Andrea Alexander in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast.
Last updated: September 2026
What is Core Energetics?
Core Energetics was developed by Dr John Pierrakos, building on Alexander Lowen’s Bioenergetics and the earlier body-oriented work of Wilhelm Reich. Where traditional talk therapy works with the mind alone, Core Energetic therapists also observe movement, posture and breath — because survival defence patterns from childhood aren’t only held in memory, they’re held in the body itself.
We have provided a short 2-minute video below to explain it further.
Clients come to us for a variety of reasons. Often they are depressed, maybe they’re anxious, or going through a relationship breakup. Sometimes they are wanting to work through issues that prevent them from entering into a relationship or engaging in meaningful work. When they first come to us, we find out about their history. We also can do a body reading to see give us some information about when the client is stuck frozen in their history. We consider what they went through as children, and how the survival defence patterns are still held in their body, emotionally, mentally and in their behaviour.
Core Energetic therapists work with the client’s body as well as their thinking mind. We observe movement, posture and breath to help ascertain what the client may have gone through in their early history. That means we also start working with the body when we help them to heal. When we start working with the body we’re expanding areas of the body that have probably been contracted for a long time and this also expands consciousness.
After a period of time of working with the body, releasing emotions, challenging beliefs and encouraging new behaviour changes, clients start to get back in contact with their vitality. Not only do they start changing and feeling differently about themselves in life but they’re more in contact with their vital core, their inner vibrancy.
Another dimension we work on is the spiritual dimension by integrating pathwork lectures. Core Energetic therapists are interested in their client’s life task; – what do they long for? What are they here to achieve? How can they bring more of their true self and shed their false self and life a life of authenticity. It’s an involved process, it’s an evolutionary process and it’s a wonderful process for both therapists and clients.
Ongoing individual and couples sessions for core energetics using an embodied approach
Key Facts
| Modality | Core Energetics (body psychotherapy) |
| Practitioner | Andrea Alexander |
| Session types | Individual, Couples |
| Locations | Kelvin Grove, Brisbane & Brightwater Wellness Hub, Mountain Creek, Sunshine Coast |
| Phone | 0422 883 410 |
| Booking | Online booking calendar |
Session Pricing
| Session | Location / Mode | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | Brisbane (in-person, Kelvin Grove) | 55 min | $160 |
| Individual | Sunshine Coast (in-person, Mountain Creek) | 55 min | $170 |
| Individual | Zoom | 55 min | $160 |
| Couples | Brisbane (in-person) | 55 min | $200 |
| Couples | Sunshine Coast (in-person, Mountain Creek) | 55 min | $210 |
| Couples | Zoom | 55 min | $200 |
What to Expect / What’s Included
- History and body reading — understanding your history and where survival patterns may be held, frozen, in the body
- Body-based work — breath, movement and posture used to expand areas of the body that have been contracted, alongside emotional release
- Challenging limiting beliefs and encouraging new behaviour patterns
- Spiritual dimension — pathwork lectures integrated into the process, exploring life task and authenticity
How It Works
- Initial history-taking — Andrea learns about your background, including childhood experience and current struggles (depression, anxiety, relationship breakdown, difficulty entering relationships or engaging in meaningful work)
- Body reading — observing movement, posture and breath to identify where patterns are held
- Ongoing body-based sessions — releasing emotion, expanding contracted areas of the body, and shifting behaviour over time
- Reconnecting with vitality — clients begin to feel more in contact with their “vital core” and inner vibrancy as the work progresses
Is This Right for You?
Core Energetics may suit you if you’re:
- Experiencing depression, anxiety, or moving through a relationship breakup
- Struggling to enter into relationships or engage in meaningful work
- Feeling stuck or frozen in patterns from your history
- Looking for a process that includes a spiritual as well as psychological dimension
- Wanting to live with more authenticity, shedding a “false self” built from old survival patterns
Core Energetics vs Standard Talk Therapy
| Standard Talk Therapy | Core Energetics |
|---|---|
| Works primarily through conversation and cognitive insight | Works with the body — breath, movement, posture — alongside conversation |
| Addresses thoughts and behaviour patterns | Addresses survival defence patterns held physically, plus emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions |
| Goal is usually symptom relief | Goal includes reconnecting with vitality, authenticity and life purpose, not only symptom relief |
Locations We Serve
Core Energetics sessions are available at our Brisbane clinic (Kelvin Grove) and our Sunshine Coast clinic (Brightwater Wellness Hub, Mountain Creek).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Core Energetics the same as body psychotherapy?
Core Energetics is a specific form of body psychotherapy — it shares the same body-oriented foundations but adds a spiritual dimension through pathwork and a focus on life task and authenticity.
What happens in a Core Energetics session?
Sessions combine talking about your history with body-based work such as breath, movement and posture, plus a “body reading” to identify where old patterns are held.
Is Core Energetics available for couples?
Yes, ongoing individual and couples sessions using an embodied Core Energetics approach are both available.
Where can I access Core Energetics sessions?
At our Brisbane clinic in Kelvin Grove or our Sunshine Coast clinic at Brightwater Wellness Hub, Mountain Creek.
Book a Core Energetics Session with Andrea Alexander
Call 0422 883 410 or book online