Emma-Leigh Senyard

This podcast episode featured Dr Peta interviewing Dr. Emma Leigh Senyard, a clinical psychologist who shared her personal journey with chronic illness and how she incorporated mind-body approaches to heal. Emma described developing medical symptoms after having her first daughter in 2021, which led to a diagnosis of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and heart condition, followed by a challenging recovery process involving various treatments and alternative therapies. Through her journey, Emma discovered the benefits of meditation, vagus nerve exercises, and fourth-wave therapy approaches like EFT Tapping, Inner Child work, EMDR and Internal Family Systems, which helped regulate her nervous system and improve her physical symptoms. She now integrates these mind-body approaches in her private practice, working with teenagers and adults and focusing on nervous system regulation, while also advocating for better integration between medical and psychological approaches to address the mind-body connection.