Nice to have you here, I’m Meg.
(she/her)
I’m Meg Barber, a Clinical Psychologist and Yoga Teacher based in Geelong (Djilang) and the Surf Coast.
I have several years experience providing psychological therapy for complex trauma, persistent pain and somatic complaints (including fatigue and gut issues), in both public and private sectors. I have advanced training in EMDR and am an accredited practitioner with the EMDR Association of Australia. I creatively integrate EMDR therapy with parts-work, somatic and mind-body techniques I am trained in.
I spent most of my young adulthood pursing a career as a Psychologist, so I could support others as I had been supported. I have lived experience of trauma healing and am passionate about supporting people to not only manage poor mental health and persistent pain, but to live well and recover their innate wholeness. I am deeply immersed in pain science, with an integrated understanding of the body-mind and in awe of our potential for transforming trauma, pain and suffering, into power, meaning and purpose.
My first experience of Jivamukti Yoga, well over a decade ago, changed the course of my life. Yoga has not only helped me manage the stress of modern life, it provides me with a means of intricately exploring my body-mind; their tendencies, capacities and limits. I am fortunate to be a part of both a local and global Jivamukti Yoga satsang, which supports me to maintain my spiritual practice, celebrate interfaith teachings and uphold personal ethics with integrity.
I have been teaching weekly Jivamukti Yoga classes for several years, and have additional certifications in Trauma Sensitive Yoga and iRest Yoga Nidra (Level 2). I have also published peer reviewed research on iRest Yoga Nidra for Pain.
I provide psychological therapy and clinical supervision on Fridays and teach public Jivamukti Yoga classes on Saturday mornings at Yoga Farm in Mount Duneed.
My Deepest Heartfelt Desire
My deepest heartfelt desire is to support people to cultivate somatic awareness, emotional freedom, psychological integration and spiritual liberation through compassionate inquiry, relational mindfulness and the transformative practice of yoga. May our time together contribute in some way, to the happiness and freedom of all beings, everywhere.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Deakin University)
Master of Clinical Psychology (Deakin University)
Clinical Psychology Endorsement (Psychology Board of Australia)
Jivamukti Yoga Teacher (Jivamukti Yoga Global)
Trauma Sensitive Yoga Teacher (Trauma Sensitive Yoga Australia)
iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher (Level 2) (iRest Institute)
Climate Aware Practitioner (Psychology for a Safe Climate)
Board-approved Supervisor (Psychology Board of Australia)
EMDRAA Accredited Practitioner (EMDR Association of Australia)
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (Somatic Experiencing International)
Specialist Pain Interventions including: Explain Pain (NOI), EMDR for Pain and Pain Reprocessing Therapy
My Values
Grounded Safety
I understand that before deep inner work can happen, people need to feel safe, held and secure in our relationship. This means that I prioritise my own self-regulation, emotional wellbeing and spiritual practice, above all else. I know that when I am grounded in my own body, mind and heart, I can best serve the natural self-healing process in others.
Wholehearted Integrity
I hold myself to the highest ethical standards and as much as humanly possible - I practice what I preach. My personal and professional principles are the guardrails of my life, providing personal freedom within the containment of a safe boundary.
Empathic Warmth
I try my best to practice kindness in all daily interactions - especially when its most difficult to respond this way. Through empathic warmth and compassionate presence, the power of connection can do its healing work.
Simplistic Beauty
I believe that even when life feels dire and the world feels overwhelming, anchoring in the simple beauty of life, the joy of simple moments, the comfort of a witnessing presence and a hopeless optimism for human evolution, are powerful remedies for despair.
Expansive Curiosity
When we feel safe and supported, we are able to meet our experience with curiosity. Our consciousness can expand and we may be able to access, feel and honour our deepest pain, unmet needs and inner guidance with an open, curious and embodied awareness.
Professional Memberships
AHPRA Registration Number: PSY0002177741
Australian Association of Psychologists (APPi)
Victorian Psychologists Association (VPA)
EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
Yoga Australia (Level 1)
Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA)
Who I am When I’m at Home
I am a person - not inferior or superior to you.
I love to spend my time with my closest family, diverse groups of friends and inspiring colleagues.
I have been an ethical vegan for almost 15 years because I believe that I am not superior to other animals either, and that they and the natural world are entitled to my basis respect and devoted care.
I am a bookworm and love reading and listening to audiobooks and podcasts whenever possible. My passionate interests outside psychology and yoga including low waste living, frugal hedonism, effective altruism, animal and social activism, and climate resiliency.
As a mother now, I don’t enjoy as much time on the yoga mat as I once did - daily life is now my meditation practice, and relational mindfulness in all my interactions, is my daily intention.