
Sonia Skewes – Accredited Social Worker, Financial Trauma Educator, and Founder of The N.E.R.V.E. Method™
Sonia Skewes is an Accredited Social Worker, trauma-responsive educator, and the founder of The N.E.R.V.E. Method™, a framework designed to address financial trauma at the nervous system level. Based in Penguin, Tasmania, Sonia works with high-capacity women ~ leaders, healthcare professionals, and business owners ~ to explore the connection between nervous system regulation, financial trauma, and sustainable prosperity.
Sonia’s approach integrates evidence-informed modalities such as Relational Integrative EMDR, Brainspotting, Root Cause Therapy, and the Trauma of Money Method™️, alongside her lived experience of inherited money patterns. She is passionate about helping women reduce money-related stress, develop healthier financial behaviours, and create lasting change without burnout. Her work translates complex neuroscience, psychology, and financial wellbeing research into practical, accessible education.
Sonia’s mission is to change the conversation about money in healthcare, creating a space where women can approach financial wellbeing with honesty, dignity, and self-compassion. Through her work, she supports women in building wealth and wellbeing in alignment with their values.
- Indian Head MassageIndian Head Massage is a therapeutic treatment based on Ayurvedic principles. Practitioners use various massage strokes and acupressure on the scalp, face, neck, arms, ears, shoulders and upper back. It is used to help with calming the nervous system, general relaxation, improving sleep, to stimulate blood & lymphatic flow, enhancing hair and scalp health, mental clarity and emotional wellbeing. Indian Head Massage practitioners are not qualified to treat or diagnose doshic (constitutional) imbalances, use specialised medicated oils & should not treat specific medical conditions (eg hemiplegia, sinusitis, migraine, mental health conditions etc), unless they are also a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner, or supervised by one in a clinical setting.
- Behavioural Change CoachA Behavioral Change Coach is a professional who specialises in helping individuals make positive and sustainable changes in their behavior and habits. They work closely with clients to identify areas for improvement, set specific goals, and develop strategies to overcome obstacles and create lasting change. Through a combination of guidance, support, and accountability, the Behavioral Change Coach helps clients develop new habits, adopt healthier behaviors, and achieve their desired outcomes. They may use techniques from various disciplines such as psychology, coaching, and behavior change theories to facilitate personal growth, enhance motivation, and promote long-term behavior change.
- Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic approach used to treat psychological trauma and other distressing experiences. During an EMDR session, the client is guided to recall traumatic memories while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, typically through eye movements, hand taps, or auditory cues. This process aims to facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic memories, reducing the emotional intensity and associated symptoms. EMDR is thought to work by activating the brain's natural healing mechanisms, allowing for the integration of traumatic experiences into adaptive memory networks. It is widely used by trained mental health professionals and has shown effectiveness in addressing various trauma-related disorders.
- Social WorkSocial Workers are Allied Health professionals who support individuals during crises by offering information, referrals, and counselling. They address social justice issues, disadvantage, and marginalization, and work in diverse settings like health centres, hospitals, mental health facilities, and universities. People may seek their assistance for family violence, mental health concerns, disability, homelessness, unemployment, illness, and more. While no legal registration is required for Social Workers in Australia, some jobs may mandate registration with the AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers). They play a vital role in connecting individuals with public services, providing emotional support, and advocating for social change to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations.
- Brainspotting®Brainspotting® is a therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and resolve trauma, emotional distress, and other mental health issues by identifying "brain spots"—specific points in a person's visual field that correlate with areas of emotional or psychological tension. The therapist guides the client to focus on a particular eye position while processing the trauma or issue, which activates the brain's natural healing ability. Brainspotting® works by tapping into the brain's deep processing mechanisms, allowing the client to access and release unresolved emotional material. It is often used for trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, and performance enhancement. This approach is based on neuroscience and is designed to be a gentle, yet powerful, method of healing, allowing for profound emotional release and transformation.
- Root-Cause Therapy™Root-Cause Therapy™ is a holistic approach aiming to identify and address the underlying factors contributing to physical, emotional, or psychological issues. It delves beyond surface symptoms, seeking to uncover and resolve the fundamental causes of distress or imbalance. By exploring past experiences, traumas, thought patterns, and belief systems, Root-Cause Therapy™ aims to facilitate profound healing and sustainable change. It often involves various therapeutic techniques tailored to individual needs, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and somatic experiencing. The goal is to empower individuals to break free from recurrent patterns, cultivate resilience, and foster a deeper sense of well-being, promoting holistic health on multiple levels.
- Ho'oponoponoHo'oponopono is a spiritual healing practice used by Indigenous Hawaiians to achieve unity and harmony within oneself and with others. Traditionally, it was conducted by respected individuals in the community. The Luna Ho’oponopono, also known as the practitioner, is skilled in active listening and understanding. They focus on identifying underlying causes of conflicts and use the Ho'oponopono Process to help individuals resolve issues and find healing. Modern versions of Ho'oponopono, including the use of the 4-phrase mantra "I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you," have also become popular. Ho'oponopono is seen as a way of being and restoring balance in life.
