I'm honoured you are here.
Hi, I’m Jacques Minnaar.
I’ve always been fascinated by why we feel the way we do. Why do some experiences stay with us long after they’ve passed? Why do we repeat patterns we know aren’t serving us? And why can we understand exactly what’s wrong, yet still struggle to create lasting change?
Through my own journey and years of research, I came to realise that understanding ourselves is important—but insight alone isn’t always enough. Sometimes the body continues carrying stress, emotions, and experiences long after the mind has moved on.
That’s where my work begins.
I help people explore and process the emotional patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, stress, burnout, emotional overwhelm, and feeling stuck.
My approach is gentle, grounded, and tailored to the individual. Rather than focusing on a specific technique, I focus on the person sitting in front of me and what feels most supportive for them in that moment.
My hope is simple: that you leave feeling calmer, more connected to yourself, and better equipped to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Because lasting change doesn’t come from fixing yourself.
It comes from understanding yourself, working with your body instead of against it, and creating space for what no longer serves you to finally be released.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Somatic Emotion Therapy?
Somatic Emotion Therapy is a sensory, body-based approach to emotional healing and regulation. It combines somatic work, breathwork, EFT tapping, and Emotion Code muscle testing to identify and release trapped emotional patterns in the body.
Each session is focused on helping you shift stored emotional stress while building emotional awareness and practical tools for everyday life.
Is Somatic Emotion Therapy the same as traditional talk therapy?
No. Somatic Emotion Therapy is not traditional talk therapy.
While we may briefly discuss what you are experiencing to set an intention for the session, the primary work happens through the body rather than long verbal processing.
This approach is especially helpful for people who feel “stuck in their head” or who have already done talk therapy but still feel emotionally overwhelmed, anxious, or burned out.
What conditions or challenges does Somatic Emotion Therapy help with?
Somatic Emotion Therapy is commonly used for:
- Anxiety and chronic stress
- Burnout and emotional exhaustion
- Trauma and emotional overwhelm
- Nervous system dysregulation
- Feeling stuck, blocked, or disconnected
- High-functioning stress in professionals
It supports both emotional release and long-term emotional regulation.
How does Somatic Body Therapy work?
The process uses muscle testing (a biofeedback technique) to identify trapped emotional patterns stored in the body.
Once identified, these emotions are released using a combination of:
- Emotion Code techniques
- EFT (tapping)
- Breathwork
- Somatic awareness and grounding
After release, emotional intelligence tools are used to help you understand patterns and support integration in daily life.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes.
In-person sessions are recommended for the first appointment, as the body-based work is often more effective in person. However, online sessions and WhatsApp support are also available depending on your needs and location.
How many sessions will I need?
This depends on your individual situation.
Many clients begin to feel shifts within the first one to three sessions. A common recommendation is an initial set of three sessions to allow the nervous system to stabilise and the work to integrate more deeply.
After that, Somatic Emotion Therapy is typically done as needed rather than on a fixed long-term schedule.
Who is Somatic Emotion Therapy best suited for?
It is best suited for professionals and individuals who:
- Are high-functioning but internally overwhelmed
- Experience anxiety, burnout, or emotional fatigue
- Want a more body-based alternative to talk therapy
- Are open to emotional and somatic work
- Want practical tools, not just insight
What can I expect in my first session?
Your first session begins with a short conversation to understand what you are currently experiencing and what you want support with.
From there, we move into body-based work using muscle testing and somatic techniques to identify and release emotional stress. The session ends with grounding and integration so you leave feeling more regulated and clear.