DR MAARTEN AALBEERSE

Somatic Therapist, Les sens de vos ACTes, France

Holly Bridges was among the first who was aware that the Polyvagal model needed to be expanded, in ways Prof. Porges himself now also recognises, to include the significance of the dorsal vagus as a resource towards deep rest and restoration. While I have not had personal experience of her work, I have watched Holly diligently refine and progress her novel therapy with a high degree of  integrity over the past seven years.

Just like Prof. Porges, I am continually impressed by how Holly manages to present the very complex model that is Polyvagal Theory in ways that makes it both accessible and relevant to persons who often don’t have an academic background. Holly has the skill to extract the essentials of this model without leaving out any of the main features of it, which is a  rare accomplishment….Therefore, I cannot recommend her work too highly. It is unique, answers a big need in our society and does this with great skill, clarity, passion and humour.

DR. WENDY ALLEN

BSc(Med) MBBS MPH FRACP Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Allergist

Holly’s understanding of the Polyvagal Theory and her ability to translate the theory into practical and easy to perform exercises is revolutionary in therapy for those who are in an extreme state of bodily distress. Holly delivers her therapy expertly and with immense thought and empathy. Her ability to engage online with extremely sensitive and fragile individuals is to be highly commended. I feel that the future of care for people who are impaired by anxiety and difficulty accessing functions. Secondary to this is fundamentally addressed in the work that Holly performs and I would be very much in favour of the work she does becoming better understood by all practitioners. I would encourage widespread accessibility to Holly’s methods through training up of health practitioners to replicate the work that she does.

DR. RAYMI DOYLE

Consultant Psychotherapist

Holly’s practical application of polyvagal theory with her clients and her research, centre’s around the homeostasis of the individuality of the person, and has been greatly received by her clientele. She has been able to assess how the individual’s bodily systems interact and communicate with each other, where she has developed embodied access routes for each client so they can internally develop a sense of being that is in balance with these systems while being in a state of safety.

Her work is both pioneering and fundamental when working with clientele who are in often inner states of chaos and compliment’s psychotherapeutic and psychological approaches used to support the individual and their families.

SEJLA MURDOCH

Senior Psychologist and BCIA Accredited Neurofeedback and HRV Biofeedback Mentor, Australian NeuroFeedback Institute Deputy Director

I have been thoroughly impressed with Ms. Bridges’ approach, which gently nudges the nervous system towards enhanced regulation. Her skilful implementation of Polyvagal Theory in her practice is truly exemplary, demonstrating a rare ability to foster a sense of safety and connection in her clients.

Through her work, Ms. Bridges creates an environment where survivors can begin their healing journey with a foundation of trust and understanding.

SELA WEAVER

Somatic Psychotherapist

Holly offers something that no one I’ve ever met before has discovered. Somehow, she has learned a very specific way to communicate at the subtlest level with the nervous system, and perhaps with the enteric nervous system in particular. She has a profound and personal understanding of the embodiment of our threat response to the difficulties and challenges of our lives, and has invented a way to make contact with it.

There is a quote which says “there is healing magic in the meeting sensation and awareness”.  I think this resonates with what Holly Bridges has discovered.

LOUISE ‘LOU’ GRANT

Counselling Psychologist / Somatic Experiencing Practitioner

Holly’s work aligns with the growing neurobiological evidence that treatment tailored to change occurring in regions of the brain beyond language are potent and enduring. Moving the body in order to move the mind. Holly’s work respectfully builds trust and understanding for the individual of their own system, gently working to navigate new relationships with their internal architecture and nervous system.

Holly has extended her sphere of influence in the field, with tenacity and integrity.

DR. MARCELLE CIAMPI (AKA SAMANTHA CRAFT)

Social Worker, Professional Educator, Neurodiversity Subject Matter Expert, Published Author, Artist/Poet

I have known Holly for over 5 years and have collaborated with her on multiple projects, including an inclusion summit in the United States, in which she attended and presented in person. In my times working with Holly, she has been consistently approachable, reliable, and resourceful. Holly is highly proficient in explaining and applying the Polyvagal Theory in her professional practice, both with one-on-one clients and in large group settings.

Holly excels in connecting an audience with applicable practices and strategies, bringing complex topics to life in a way that is easy for others to understand. Holly is a kind and considerate person who is deeply passionate about making a difference in the world of autism and the Polyvagal Theory and has a demonstrated track record in supporting individuals to live their best lives.

MEGAN ROBINSON

Area Manager, My Supports, WA

I have known Holly Bridges since 2015, in both professional and personal engagement settings. I have engaged with Holly for staff training and had the opportunity to observe her work with clients and see the positive changes it has allowed them to experience. As a mother of 3 children with disability , 1 child with Inattentive ADHD , 1 Child with ASD and ADHD and 1 child with ASD with PDA Profile, ARFID, mixed ADHD and Anxiety disorder, I have had the opportunity to learn from Holly and build my knowledge which enables me to support my children in a way that honours their individual needs.

Now having understanding the role of the Polyvagal Theory, the nervous and sensory systems and how they are impacting my children, has changed the way our family interacts and provides a much safer and supportive life for them. I am seeing real progress and improvement in their quality of life because of the work Holly has done and the knowledge she has provided. Holly genuinely wishes to support her clients to live the best possible life they can.

DR LEKKIE HOPKINS

Feminist Academic and Grandmother

Holly’s work is astonishingly effective and apparently very simple. However it’s clear that it is grounded in her deep understanding of Porges’ work with the vagus nerve.

To this she adds her intuitive understanding of ways to work with individual children to help them to find the necessary resting place their body craves. The results are extraordinary.

SUSANN KEATING

Registered Psychologist, General Psychology Services

Holly Bridges’ neurodiverse therapeutic approach reframes our understanding of autism, celebrating its diversity, tapping into the innate intelligence, brilliance and creativity of autists’ often enhanced perception, helping them to make the most of their gifts.

Holly has ingeniously taken this theory and applied it to our understanding of Autism, challenging us to look beyond the ‘deficit’ model of autism and put the trauma response front and center in our understanding, suggesting a new approach to healing that focus on strengthening the body’s system for regulating arousal.

LEANNE BRIDGES (no relation)

Support Coordinator, My Supports, WA 

Holly’s work is the epitome of person centred. Holly sees the whole person, the difficulties they have and the impact having autism or an intellectual disability has on them. Holly works with the whole of the person’s life and the people in it. She has patience and understanding far beyond any other professional I have worked with. She sees the strengths in people as well as the struggles and works with both of these at the same time. She has a gentle way about her that inspires confidence which helps people relax and trust her.

It’s wonderful to have someone who can offer an alternative to the usual therapies and have such amazing results.