What is TRE,
and can it help you?
TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises) is a simple, safe and natural body-based practice that activates the body’s innate tremor mechanism to release deep muscular tension, stress and trauma. There’s no need to talk about past experiences; TRE works directly through the body, supporting the nervous system to settle and self-regulate. At Be Well Hawthorn, Sonia Stocco is a certified TRE provider, offering both group classes and 1:1 sessions.
Quick stats: Certified TRE provider, 30+ years of bodywork experience.
Sonia’s affable, warm presence guides participants, without strain, through the simple, preparatory exercises of her TRE class. As the gentle, involuntary vibrations begin, they are welcomed into an atmosphere of acceptance and curiosity. This friendly context encourages a playful exploration of the remarkable, natural reflex: participants are invited to experiment, at their own pace, with different positions on a yoga mat or against a wall.
Regular pausing of the tremors is recommended too, and doing so can magnify feelings of well-being and relaxation. Sonia’s decades’ long professional bodywork also makes itself known and felt, literally, by the firm, intelligent application of her hands to trembling bodies. Similarly, over the course of a class, she shares fascinating insights and information about the body’s innate ability to endure and recover from the ‘thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to.
Maurice K
Book your session with Sonia
TRE sessions run for 60 minutes. Sonia, our TRE therapist, is currently available Mondays, 9 am to 1 pm.
What can TRE help with
TRE is used by people managing everyday stress right through to those recovering from significant trauma. If any of the following sound familiar, TRE may help.
01
Stress, anxiety and nervous system regulation
02
Trauma, sleep and pain relief
03
Long-term self-regulation
What happens in a session with Sonia
Arriving
No need to talk about what's caused your stress or tension; TRE works through the body rather than the told story.
The session
TRE uses a series of simple, guided exercises to gently fatigue the muscles, then invites the body into a resting position where it can begin to tremor naturally. This isn't something you force; it's a reflex every human body already has. Sonia guides you through the process safely, at your own pace.
Afterwards
Once you've learned the exercises, TRE becomes a tool you can use independently, for life, with follow-up support if needed.
Is TRE right for you
Are you managing everyday stress or anxiety?
Feel stuck in a heightened, wired or on-edge state?
Are you recovering from PTSD or significant trauma?
Do you struggle with sleep or chronic pain?
Find it hard to engage with talk-based approaches and want something that works through the body instead?
Want a somatic practice you can eventually use independently for life?
What our members say
I began going to Sonia for a relaxation massage several years ago, when I thought I just needed to be nurtured and relaxed; however, the ongoing development of the therapy Sonia offers has changed me forever.
Gradually, Sonia worked on my structural issues and all the time supported me to think about and to get to know my body. It was a revelation to me that she could guide me, through her Craniosacral, Reiki and Bowen techniques, to listen to my own body and to be aware of what I can do to support myself.
Sonia’s work is underpinned by her very strong emotional empathy and integrated somatic practices, and with her help I have truly changed the way I feel about my body and my life. Thankyou Sonia.
Bronwyn R.
Be Well member
Private health insurance
TRE on its own is not typically covered under standard extras cover for massage or remedial therapy, as it’s a self-regulation practice rather than a hands-on treatment. Sonia is also a qualified remedial massage therapist, though, so TRE delivered in combination with remedial massage may be eligible for a rebate under your extras cover. Check with your health fund directly if you’re unsure.
Looking for something else
Combine with Craniosacral Therapy
Sonia also offers Craniosacral Therapy, a gentle, hands-on nervous-system-led treatment.
Looking for a clinical treatment for a specific injury
Remedial massage or Lymphatic Drainage with Megan may be a better fit.
Looking for general relaxation
Therapeutic massage with Amanda may be a better fit if you're looking to unwind rather than release stress and tension held in the body.
Ready to book with Sonia?
Her sessions fill quickly. We recommend securing your spot sooner rather than later.
Questions
Common questions
TRE is a simple, safe, body-based practice that activates the body's natural tremor mechanism to release deep muscular tension, stress and trauma, without requiring clients to talk about past experiences.
TRE uses a series of gentle exercises to fatigue the muscles, then guides the body into a resting position where it can begin to tremor naturally. This tremor reflex is a built-in mechanism the body uses to discharge stored stress and tension.
TRE can reduce stress, anxiety and chronic tension, support relief from PTSD symptoms, improve sleep and pain, sharpen memory and concentration, regulate the nervous system, and build a lifelong self-care tool you can use independently.
Yes. TRE is a gentle, guided practice suited to most people. Sonia introduces the exercises gradually and at your own pace. If you have a diagnosed medical or mental health condition, it's worth checking with your healthcare provider before starting.
No. TRE works directly through the body rather than through discussion. You don't need to explain or revisit past experiences for the practice to be effective.
TRE isn't painful. Most people do experience natural tremors during a session; this is the body's own release mechanism at work, not something forced, and it's a normal, safe part of the process.
Both teach the same core exercises. Group classes are a supportive, lower-cost way to learn TRE alongside others, while 1:1 sessions offer individual guidance tailored to your specific needs. Sonia can help you decide which suits you when you book.
Yes, this is one of the main benefits of TRE. Once you've learned the exercises with a certified provider like Sonia, you can practise independently at any time, making it a genuinely lifelong self-care tool.
TRE is an active, self-directed practice using guided exercises and the body's own tremor response, whereas Craniosacral Therapy and massage are hands-on treatments performed by the therapist. Sonia offers all three and can advise which is the best fit for you.
TRE isn't typically covered under standard extras policies, as it's a self-regulation practice rather than a hands-on treatment. Check with your health fund if you're unsure.
Be Well Hawthorn offers TRE group classes and 1:1 sessions with certified provider Sonia Stocco at 6 Roche St, Hawthorn VIC 3122. Call (03) 8851 9686 or email hello@bewell.com.au to book.
The People
Meet Your Massage Therapist
Megan
Remedial Massage | Lymphatic Drainage | BNurs | DipRemMass | Private Health Insurance approved provider
14 years' experience
Megan brings 14 years of remedial massage therapy experience alongside a clinical background in nursing. This combination gives her a deep understanding of how the body works and how targeted massage techniques manage pain, restore mobility and improve overall wellbeing.
She takes a holistic approach to every session, beginning with a thorough assessment to understand each person’s unique needs, and tailors her treatment accordingly. Megan works with clients across a wide range of conditions, from acute injuries and chronic pain to postural issues and sports recovery.
Megan specialises in lymphatic drainage, a technique she is passionate about and keeps in mind with every remedial massage. Megan is an approved provider for Private Health Insurance claims for Remedial Massage Therapy.
Sonia
Craniosacral Therapy | TRE Certified Provider | Bowen Therapy | Reiki | Remedial Massage Therapist
30+ Years
Sonia is an experienced holistic bodyworker with over 30 years of practice, grounded in a foundation of remedial massage therapy. At Be Well, she specialises in Craniosacral Therapy, Bowen Therapy, Reiki and TRE: gentle yet profoundly effective approaches to releasing tension, restoring balance and supporting the body’s innate capacity to heal.
Craniosacral Therapy holds a special place in Sonia’s practice. Rather than simply addressing symptoms, her sessions support the body in unwinding long-held patterns of tension, helping clients find a deeper sense of ease, balance and wellbeing. Her TRE certification was completed under the supervision of Richmond Heath, one of Australia’s leading TRE trainers and researchers, and her additional training in Somatic Exercise Releases for Trauma further deepens her understanding of how the body holds and releases stress.
Sonia believes real healing happens when the whole person is met: body, nervous system and spirit. Whether you’re navigating a specific condition or simply seeking deeper restoration, she offers a safe and skilled space to come home to yourself.
Amanda
Therapeutic Massage | 20+ years of practice | Reiki-informed
20+ Years
Amanda, known to her clients as Amandala, was born and raised in Melbourne. She is a generous and gifted practitioner whose ability to connect with people through touch has earned her a devoted following built over more than two decades of practice.
Amanda began her therapeutic massage practice in her first year of university and has trained in Reiki alongside her hands-on bodywork ever since. That combination shapes everything she does. She works across the physical, mental and emotional dimensions of wellbeing in every session, not just the physical.
Amanda provides people with a truly exceptional experience, which is why she has such a large and loyal following. Her bookings fill quickly. If you want a session with Amanda, get in early and come often.
"Drawing on 20 years of experience, Amandala provides people with a truly exceptional experience. Get in early, and come often."
At Be Well Hawthorn
Explore more
Remedial Massage
Clinical treatment for musculoskeletal pain, injury and postural dysfunction with Megan