Laura Emilia Escudero

A conversation with Laura Emilia Escudero

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  Navigating a tumultuous path marked by cultural conditioning and disordered behaviours, Laura embarked on a quest for healing, confronting burnout, overwhelm, and anxiety. This journey led her through a messy spiritual awakening, where she encountered both deception and wisdom, ultimately deciding to leave her job and immerse herself in somatics, psychotherapy, and philosophy.?
  
  Laura integrates somatic psychotherapy, counselling, yoga, embodiment, and bodywork to lead individuals on profound journeys of transformation. Her passion for somatic psychotherapy and creative expression movement stems from her own lived experience, where she confronted pain, shame, and trauma, once living outside her body due to a painful gynecological condition.
  
  Laura’s expertise encompasses trauma resolution, anxiety management, spiritual awakening support, and navigating intergenerational trauma, C-PTSD/PTSD, and nervous system regulation. She also has extensive experience working with dissociation, dysregulation, anxiety and trauma. Furthermore, Laura has facilitated various groups that empower women to reclaim their voice, expression, and connection to their bodies and selves.
  
  Her commitment to holistic healing is evident in her diverse studies from her Postgraduate Counselling & Psychotherapy degree accredited through PACFA and trained under renowned practitioners like Scott Lyons in Somatic Stress Release™ , Somatic Movement therapy, Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, Embodiment teacher training, Non-Linear Movement training, and Body-Mind Centering® Somatic movement education. And currently completing her Somatic Experiencing® Professional Training 3 year training.
  
  Fluent in navigating diverse cultures from her upbringing in 15 countries, Laura fosters a deep understanding and connection with individuals from various backgrounds and her South American roots. Living authentically and embracing imperfection and beauty with grace, she extends the privilege of her experience to empower others to reconnect with their innate capacity for alignment and wholeness.
  
  Currently based in Melbourne, Australia, Laura is deeply committed to serving others on their healing journeys, specializing in Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, and Internal Family Systems, offering transformative tools that have shaped her path.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  The three main modalities described below are what I refer to as the three threads of my work .
  Each one has a unique approach to the whole human being. In the evolution of this work, that has spanned almost two decades of learning,
  each of these core modalities influence each other and are slowly being woven together to form the one central offering.
  Process Oriented Psychotherapy & Counselling gives us a way to delve deeper into the psyche and soul whilst weaving in the mental and emotional body;
  Somatic Movement therapy and Bodywork is a gentle, subtle, yet powerful way to work with the many layers of the body and the inherent intelligence within;
  and Yogic Kashmir Shavism Tantric Philosophy and the 5 element theory from traditional Chinese medicine provides us with a unique map of the soul,
  almost like the blueprint that we can continue to refer back to.
  One thing they all have in common is that they don't treat the human being, the earth or the cosmos as static and fixed. In fact, change is at the heart of all three.
  
  Thus, The Work is not in any way complete and, I imagine, will continue to evolve for the rest of my days.
  

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I’m particularly interested in the aspects of health and the human journey that involve deep transformation, healing, and integration. This includes navigating major life transitions, trauma recovery, emotional regulation, and reconnecting with the body’s inherent wisdom. I’m drawn to working with individuals who are facing challenges like grief, chronic pain, anxiety, and identity or esteem issues—especially when these struggles are connected to disconnection from the body or unresolved trauma. I also have a strong focus on supporting those navigating spiritual awakenings, existential concerns, and the impact of intergenerational trauma.
  
  At the heart of my work is the belief that healing is not just about addressing symptoms, but about honoring the entire person—body, mind, and spirit. My interest lies in helping people cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and their own capacity for resilience, empowerment, and joy. I also work to foster an environment where clients can explore and shift limiting patterns, break free from cycles of stress and anxiety, and begin to trust their ability to create lasting change.
  

• What methods do you use?

  My sessions integrate a blend of bodywork, somatic humanistic psychology, trauma-informed care, movement education and expressive arts
  that help to facilitate and support positive change.
  I also combine my current graduate counselling and process work (psychotherapy branch) with somatic movement therapy for holistic embodied psychotherapy.
  
  My work is a trauma informed, strengths based and person centred model of care.
  
  I integrate somatic psychotherapy, counselling, yoga, embodiment, and bodywork to lead individuals on profound journeys of transformation. My passion for somatic psychotherapy and creative expression movement stems from her own lived experience, where she confronted pain, shame, and trauma, once living outside of my body due to a painful gynecological condition.
  
  Navigating a tumultuous path marked by cultural conditioning and disordered behaviours, I embarked on a quest for healing, confronting burnout, overwhelm, and anxiety. This journey led her through a messy spiritual awakening, where she encountered both deception and wisdom, ultimately deciding to leave mu job and immerse herself in somatics, psychotherapy, and philosophy.?
  
  My expertise encompasses trauma resolution, anxiety management, spiritual awakening support, and navigating intergenerational trauma, C-PTSD/PTSD, and nervous system regulation. She also has extensive experience working with dissociation, dysregulation, anxiety and trauma. Furthermore, I have facilitated various groups that empower women to reclaim their voice, expression, and connection to their bodies and selves.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Clients typically begin to feel progress in our work within the first few sessions, especially as we start to build trust and create a safe, supportive space for exploration. Early on, many clients notice shifts in their emotional and physical states—less anxiety, more clarity, or a deeper sense of calm. As we engage with the body and nervous system, there’s often a sense of relief or release, which can be felt almost immediately after a session.
  
  Longer-term progress tends to be more gradual but deeply transformative. Clients may notice that they’re responding differently to stress, feeling more grounded in their bodies, or gaining a new perspective on old patterns. Over time, they may also begin to feel more connected to their authentic selves, experiencing greater joy, vitality, and a sense of agency in their lives. Ultimately, progress is measured not just in the absence of discomfort but in the presence of more ease, resilience, and personal empowerment.
  

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has played a transformative role in my own life, guiding me through some of my most challenging experiences. It has allowed me to reconnect with my body and trust its wisdom, something I had lost touch with for a long time due to chronic pain and trauma. Through therapy, I’ve learned to navigate my inner world with more compassion and curiosity, embracing both the messiness and beauty of being human.
  
  It has helped me shed layers of shame, fear, and cultural conditioning that kept me from living authentically. Therapy has been a safe space where I could confront burnout, overwhelm, and anxiety—ultimately leading me to a deeper understanding of myself and my purpose. The ongoing journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth has enriched my life and, in turn, deepened my ability to guide and support others on their own healing paths.
  
  

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  What I love most about being a therapist is the deep privilege of witnessing someone’s transformation. There’s something profoundly humbling about being part of someone’s healing journey, as they work through their challenges and step into their authentic selves. I cherish the moments of connection, when a client feels seen, heard, and safe enough to explore the most vulnerable parts of themselves. It’s in these moments that true healing begins.
  
  I also appreciate the co-creative nature of therapy. It’s not just about me guiding the process, but about us working together to uncover and explore new perspectives, tools, and possibilities. I’m constantly inspired by the resilience, strength, and potential in every client I work with. It’s truly an honor to witness and support their growth, both big and small.