72. S6, Ep5: Autism, energy and the body: somatic healing for autistic trauma

Jun 11, 2022

Dr. Vanissar Tarakali, a Somatic and Intuitive Trauma Coach, discusses her late diagnosis, the links between autism and somatic trauma, and her theories on autism and spirituality. She shares her journey of coming to terms with her diagnosis and the benefits of somatic healing for neurodivergent individuals. The podcast also explores the concept of empathy in autistic individuals and the deep bond between the narrator and animals. Reflections on going back in time and the importance of awareness are discussed.

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Late Diagnosis and Coming to Terms

02:22 • 15min

Connection with the Grandfather and the Internal Experience of Being Different

16:56 • 2min

Somatic Healing for Neurodivergent Individuals

19:06 • 26min

Autistic Empathy and Sensitivity

44:48 • 5min

Spirituality, Animal Connections, and Autistic Energy Fields

49:35 • 2min

Reflections on Going Back in Time

51:51 • 2min

Reaching Understanding through Awareness

53:34 • 2min

Dr Vanissar Tarakali is a Somatic and Intuitive Trauma Coach from British Columbia in Canada. She was diagnosed in 2017, when she was in her mid 50s. She describes herself as ‘a queer autistic mystic misfit’, and says she loves to work with people who embody contradictions of identity and community.

She has a Ph.D. in Psychology, and she offers coaching to transform trauma and sustain social change, integrating somatics, energy medicine, bodywork, neurodivergent wisdom, social justice practice and restorative yoga to heal personal, ancestral and oppression trauma.

In our conversation we talk about:

➡ Being diagnosed later in life, and finding herself finally able to understand and express her own story after diagnosis

➡ The links between autism, proprioception, health and somatic trauma

➡ Her theories around autism, energy and spirituality

Squarepeg is a podcast in which neurodivergent women, and trans and nonbinary people, explore navigating a neurotypical world and share their insights, challenges and successes.

I hope that these conversations will be inspiring and thought provoking, open you up to new ways of thinking about being neurodivergent, and help you feel more connected to a worldwide community of people with similar experiences.

I’m Amy Richards, and after being diagnosed autistic at the age of 37 I’m now on a mission to learn more about different perspectives and issues around being a neurodivergent adult in a world that feels like it doesn’t quite fit.

EPISODE LINKS:

www.vanissarsomatics.com

https://www.instagram.com/vanissartarakali/

https://www.facebook.com/tarakalieducation

If you'd like to connect or get in touch with Squarepeg, you can find me on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/squarepeg.community/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/squarepegautism

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/squarepegautism/

Or on my website: https://squarepeg.community/

THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS!

A HUGE thank you to my amazing patrons, who support my work on the podcast:

Abi Hunter, Amy Adler, Amy-Beth Mellor, Abigail J Moore, Ben Davies, Benita Borchard-Thierbach, Caroline, Cat Preston, Catrin Green, Cindy Bailey, Corinne Cariad, Danielle Warby, Dawn Trevellion, Elizabeth Williams, Elise, Jackie Allen, Jeff Goldman, Kate Faust, Katharine Richards, Katherine Lynch, Lea Li, Lilli Simmons, Lyb, Mandy Allen, Pete Burke, Rebecca Kemp, Sarah Cottrell, Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Swanton, Sioned Wynn, Suzanna Chen, Suzanne, Tree Hall, Una Walkenhorst, Vera Cady, Vicki Temple and Victoria Routledge.

If you’re enjoying the Squarepeg podcast and would like to help me carry on making new episodes, you can become a member of the Squarepeg community on Patreon from just £3 per month: https://www.patreon.com/squarepegpodcast